Eczema

[Guest]

I have had severe pitting edema on my lower legs, ankles and feet for the past 2 months. It began the last week of my pregnancy, escalated and then over the first four weeks postpartum slowly began to subside. My right leg is much worse than my left and I've now developed an odd swollen red patch on my inner ankle. The skin is hard, tender, hot and itchy. Another similar patch is developing on my left inner ankle. Just yesterday I've developed a severely itchy rash that began on my legs and is now spread upwards to my back. The spots ooze when you itch them. I've also noticed a low grade fever.. Any ideas what is going on? I'm getting really scared.

[Guest]

I suggest you see a dermatollogist. The oozing is common when the legs are swollen. Basically serum is seeping through the skin because of too much fluid in the skin. Due to the swelling, the circulation in your feet may have been compromised. As a result of that, the blood in the feet pools down low and does not circulate around and you are prone to infections there. You probably need a course of oral antibiotics. Elevate your legs as much as possible to get the fluid going back up. If you are not breast feeding, you can take an herb called horse chestnut seed extract, about 400 mg daily, which is great for this problem. I do not know if there is a problem with breastfeeding, so I wouldn't take a chance.
[quote] I have had severe pitting edema on my lower legs, ankles and feet for the past 2 months. It began the last week of my pregnancy, escalated and then over the first four weeks postpartum slowly began to subside... [/quote]