swollen legs bright red rash above ankles no itching or bumps

Kathe,

Thanks for your question. 

You are probably right in assumption that your leg swelling is due to the Norvasc.  This is a common side effect seen with this very effective blood pressure medication.  However, I'm concerned with your new rash.  My biggest concern is infection of the soft tissues of your legs, called cellulitis, which occurs more often in people with leg edema.  There are a few other things that could cause you problem such as: drug reaction; superficial phlebitis; deep vein thrombosis; and, other skin rashes.

You need to contact your physician for an appointment as soon as possible.  After a few questions and an examination of your legs, he will be able to make a determination of the cause.  He may request further testing to be sure of his diagnosis.  This is not a problem that could or should be handled over the phone.

Until seen, keep your legs elevated above the level of your heart.  This will promote drainage of fluid out of your legs.  Also, apply warm (not hot) compresses to your legs as often as possible, which will help any inflammatory situations (including infection).

I hope this has been helpful.  Feel better.

Martin Cane, M.D.

i have the same rash it is bright red and ranges from dots its in my skin no bumps or itchi what do i do scared the mess out of me

swellen above ankles red rash and itchs no bumps

I don't know Kathe but when you find out let me know.  I have the same thing and I also take 10 mg Norvasc

Thank you Dr. Crane, for your good advice. I did go to my Dr. immediately and she confirmed my suspision. It was the 10 mg Norvasc. I had been taking a lower dosage for awhile with no reaction. When the dosage was raised to 10 mg I started with the swelling and cellulitis. We caught it early and it healed quickly. However, the heavy swelling in my legs lasted for several months, gradually reducing until it was gone. My Dr. had told me when she stopped the Norvasc that it would take quite a while fror the swelling to go away. It was interesting, when I knew I was on the mend, to see my skin stretched to the fullest and to have no ankles at all!  I would advise anyone with quick and unusual swelling in the legs to see their Dr. right away.

I have the same thing wish I knew what it was, only mine started with an itch, I did a lot of walking yesterday we were at Gettsburg, had a great time but by 6:30 I had a terrible itch, today rash is firey red no itch, and I don't think it is poison, I took a shower and used cotton balls and alochol to rub on it, fine now only still red.  As far as I know my blood pressure is fine, was at Dr on Tuesday everything was fine, she is not in today or I would be there.  If I have it Monday I will see her.  Also not on any new medicine.

I have swollen feet redness and inflammation around the ankles and urgent care doctor diagnose  with having symptoms for vasculitis. She put me on steroids to reduce the swelling in the foot. It did and then it came back again my regular doctor has taken blood tests, urine test, chest xray, and now he has refer me to a rhuematologist. I am on norvasc 10 mg.  too now after reading your answer from the doctor I am thinking it could be aside affect of the medicine. I have been on it nine months and I recently starting taking liptor 10mg which I thought could have started this condition but my doctor said no. My condition has lasted about two months so with the new information I have thanks to you and the doctor maybe I can get back to normal.

                                                                 Ron

I also had this same symtom and it was discovered to be from the norvasc.  I was taken off and within 24 hours, the rash had started to lighten and the swelling to go down.  I was also given a six day course of steroids and this has helped greatly.  It was a first tought to be cellulitis because I have had that before and was given antibiotics which did absolutely nothing.

Best of luck