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AIBU?

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Original poster

To take dd to A&E or wait to see GP

306 replies

Dewdrops1 · 07/07/2024 15:21

Hi all?

I know you can’t diagnose on here but concerned I may be wasting A&Es precious resources instead of waiting to see GP tomorrow.

we’ve just come back from holiday in Europe. 2 days ago DD who is teenager woke with a big egg sized lump on one side of forehead. No injury. She said she did squeeze a spot gently but not sure if that did it. Nothing obvious seen other than swelling. Yesterday the lump went down but the swelling spread to center of forehead and in between eyes and top of nose. The swelling has ‘flattened’ out but over a larger area and makes her forehead look slightly distorted. There’s no redness but is slightly warm to touch and tender. Dd said it’s giving her a slight headache and uncomfortable feeling.

Im worried it could be some sort of infection and it’s going near her eyes, or could it be a bug bite and I’m overthinking. So would you take her to A&E or go to GP tomorrow? The swelling isn’t massive but never experienced swelling spreading on forehead like that before (moved away from original lump) so not sure if it’s something I need to be concerned about (also nothing similar on google).

thanks for your advice in advance 🙂

OP posts:
BeethovenNinth · 08/07/2024 21:42

OP - get this checked at A and E. please.

Secretroses · 08/07/2024 21:36

cannockcandy · 08/07/2024 19:29

OK, I will admit i haven't read all your comments yet. I saw the picture and had to comment. My son had a serious complication from sinusitis called a Potts Puffy Tumour - it's an abscess in the sinus and can actually eat through the skull. Not wanting to worry you, but, my son needed emergency surgery and we had been told by both a GP not to worry and 111 that he was fine to wait to see a GP, we listened and could have easily lost him. Xx

Gosh, this sounds awful - I just googled a picture. If I were the OP, I would probably go to A&E now specifically to rule this out. Given the potential seriousness, i'd say better safe than sorry...

Wheresthebeach · 08/07/2024 21:16

If the antibiotics haven’t reduced the swelling then I think a visit to A&E might not be a bad idea

Lougle · 08/07/2024 21:11

@Dewdrops1 please consider getting this checked again.

Lougle · 08/07/2024 21:10

I genuinely would present at A&E, given the location of the swelling and the course of symptoms. Your nasal cavity is so close to the brain and it really isn't normal to have that swelling in that location.

Mnk711 · 08/07/2024 21:02

GPs, as we all know, are called GP because they are not specialists. Lots of them quite frankly are not great. If someone sees something day in day out they are obviously going to be better than someone who doesn't. If she's still got the swelling tomorrow I'd be asking for an urgent scan and/or as a PP suggested trying a private dermatologist. Hope you can get it sorted OP.

BirthdayRainbow · 08/07/2024 21:01

Dewdrops1 · 08/07/2024 20:57

Hope your DS was ok @BirthdayRainbow Do you mind me asking what the diagnosis was?

Show quote history

I can't remember but he had very strong antibiotics iirc and a lot of attention.

it was a localised lump though, about a ten piece size, not as big as on your dc.

Mirabai · 08/07/2024 21:00

Even if it is a ruptured cyst that can cause scarring.

Mirabai · 08/07/2024 20:57

Not a medic but the pic 2 looks too big to be a ruptured pic 1.

Do you have the money for a private dermatology appt? If you’re in London I can recommend you to one.

Original poster
Dewdrops1 · 08/07/2024 20:57

BirthdayRainbow · 08/07/2024 20:52

I hope everything works out but I am still concerned.

During lock down my son had a spot/lump in the middle of his forehead. No idea where it came from but it looked sore and it certainly shouldn't have been there! The GP looked via video and sent him straight to hospital "because I don't like where it is, with it being near his brain.."

Hope your DS was ok @BirthdayRainbow Do you mind me asking what the diagnosis was?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dewdrops1 · 08/07/2024 20:55

AskingForAFriend12 · 08/07/2024 20:48

Does she have cold (or recently had a cold) or/and headache?

Show quote history

She was off school with a temp and cold like symptoms on the 25th June but recovered quickly, has been ok since, other than the odd headache.

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 08/07/2024 20:52

I hope everything works out but I am still concerned.

During lock down my son had a spot/lump in the middle of his forehead. No idea where it came from but it looked sore and it certainly shouldn't have been there! The GP looked via video and sent him straight to hospital "because I don't like where it is, with it being near his brain.."

AskingForAFriend12 · 08/07/2024 20:48

Dewdrops1 · 08/07/2024 19:46

That must have been terrifying for you @cannockcandy Hopr your DS made a full recovery 💐 Ive got to admit this has been worrying me as the symptoms are similar. Hope you don’t mind me asking about some of the symptoms, the original swelling on day one and two did look like the pics of PPT, we’re on day 4 now and the swelling is between her eyebrows and bridge of nose more so now, not so swollen on forehead. Did the swelling change with your DS or stay in same place? Were there any other symptoms as DD seems ok in herself. We’re on day two antibiotics and swelling still there so will be taking her back to GP tomorrow if no change.

Show quote history

Does she have cold (or recently had a cold) or/and headache?

Starrynights9 · 08/07/2024 20:44

Starrynights9 · 08/07/2024 20:42

Oh my goodness, get this checked out ASAP. I wouldn't wait until tomorrow OP

Show quote history

Apologies, missed the update.👍

PoopingAllTheWay · 08/07/2024 20:43

I wouldn't be waiting to be honest

Starrynights9 · 08/07/2024 20:42

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Oh my goodness, get this checked out ASAP. I wouldn't wait until tomorrow OP

amusedbush · 08/07/2024 20:10

Dewdrops1 · 07/07/2024 20:40

The swelling is more between her eyes now and not as obvious on her forehead so perhaps that’s why she wasn’t as concerned?I just don’t understand how it’s moved from that lump on top of forehead to between her eyes and eyebrows. I did show the doctor the photos how it’s progressed in 2 days. I just don’t see how a cyst can just appear within a few hours and then burst overnight like that with no pain? I will monitor tonight and take straight to a&e if any worse. She’s been given flucloxacillin 500mg 4 times a day for 7 days.

Poor thing, flucloxacillin is horrible. I was on it a few months ago and it was so disgusting, I actually cried on day 5. The rotten egg smell/taste permeated through the capsules and I had reflux that meant the taste ‘repeated on me’ all day.

Hopefully they kick in soon though, and the swelling is nothing more concerning.

Marmunia10667 · 08/07/2024 20:05

OP, please go back and mention Potts Puffy Tumour.

MotherofWagonWheels · 08/07/2024 20:03

I don't think I'd bother with the GP again, they are so useless - if no change by tomorrow then I would go to A&E at the crack of dawn armed with the info about PPT.

Fingers crossed it comes down over night x

Original poster
Dewdrops1 · 08/07/2024 19:46

cannockcandy · 08/07/2024 19:29

OK, I will admit i haven't read all your comments yet. I saw the picture and had to comment. My son had a serious complication from sinusitis called a Potts Puffy Tumour - it's an abscess in the sinus and can actually eat through the skull. Not wanting to worry you, but, my son needed emergency surgery and we had been told by both a GP not to worry and 111 that he was fine to wait to see a GP, we listened and could have easily lost him. Xx

That must have been terrifying for you @cannockcandy Hopr your DS made a full recovery 💐 Ive got to admit this has been worrying me as the symptoms are similar. Hope you don’t mind me asking about some of the symptoms, the original swelling on day one and two did look like the pics of PPT, we’re on day 4 now and the swelling is between her eyebrows and bridge of nose more so now, not so swollen on forehead. Did the swelling change with your DS or stay in same place? Were there any other symptoms as DD seems ok in herself. We’re on day two antibiotics and swelling still there so will be taking her back to GP tomorrow if no change.

OP posts:
cannockcandy · 08/07/2024 19:29

OK, I will admit i haven't read all your comments yet. I saw the picture and had to comment. My son had a serious complication from sinusitis called a Potts Puffy Tumour - it's an abscess in the sinus and can actually eat through the skull. Not wanting to worry you, but, my son needed emergency surgery and we had been told by both a GP not to worry and 111 that he was fine to wait to see a GP, we listened and could have easily lost him. Xx

BooBooDoodle · 08/07/2024 19:21

Similar experience a few years ago. Came home from Turkey, son had been bitten under his eye. Started off small but he took the head off it scratting. We came home and it was just a big standard pea sized bite. A few days later his eye was swollen shut and the bite had filled with puss and bright yellow/green. GP looked at it and prescribed some shite antibiotics, the most basic they give you. Said we had to finish the course and he would be fine, allergic reaction to mosquitoes. A day later I didn’t wait and went to A&E and then we were straight off to see a face surgeon 3 hours away in another hospital. My poor lad had to have the bite lanced and a drain put in his face for a week. He was given very strong antibiotics and literally overnight there was a huge difference. Has a slight scar but not noticeable. An infection set in once the head of it had been scratched off. Wasn’t allergic to mosquitoes as the GP said.

Janiie · 08/07/2024 18:49

Lyraloo · 08/07/2024 17:46

Ring 111 and see if there’s an out of hours doctor she can go to tonight, if not, go to A&E!

She saw a Dr yesterday. The dd is fine on antibiotics as a precaution.

123letsblaze · 08/07/2024 18:46

Why don't people read ops updates before posting?

MissingKitty · 08/07/2024 18:45

Mylifesadrama · 08/07/2024 18:34

If you’re unsure as to whether you need a gp or a n e call 111. That’s what it’s for. They will be the best to advise. Although they do often suggest a n e to be honest.

She already did this.