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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Silviasilvertoes · 07/07/2024 17:44

Good luck OP. Ignore the people who are happy to criticise. I had sepsis last year (didn’t know that at the time) but didn’t want to bother A&E over the weekend so phoned 111 and collapsed while waiting for them to call back. There’s a lot of MSM encouragement not to access medical services unnecessarily, never mind the wait for 111 or A&E. A&E vs GP is not always an easy decision to make when it’s not obviously an emergency. Naturally you’re getting her seen - wanting some reassurance while you’re doing it is human, not bad parenting.

ButtSurgery · 07/07/2024 17:42

Jesus christ, has anyone cancelled the cheque yet?

PoopingAllTheWay · 07/07/2024 17:41

I would not be pissing about with 111

She needs urgent blood tests and possibly a scan in A&E today

Newname71 · 07/07/2024 17:39

I’d go to A&E too. I had a swelling that started by my ear, then my ear swelled up and the swelling spread to my face. Me being me thought I’d be fine and it would go down. It didn’t. I eventually went to the drs who sent me straight to A&E. It was cellulitis and even after IV antibiotics I was very unwell for nearly 2 weeks.

ChishiyaBat · 07/07/2024 17:37

Good luck @Dewdrops1 I hope it goes well and your daughter is ok.

Normallynumb · 07/07/2024 17:36

Yes I would take her to A&E
It sounds like Cellulitis which may even need IV antibiotics

Zanatdy · 07/07/2024 17:36

Swelling can move - I know from someone I follow on social media but her son’s was an injury. Glad you’re getting checked

OrwellianTimes · 07/07/2024 17:35

A&E could be cellulitis

Original poster
Dewdrops1 · 07/07/2024 17:34

Thanks for your advice everyone. I’m off to appointment now. Fingers crossed it’s nothing serious.

OP posts:
viques · 07/07/2024 17:34

I had a similar thing a couple of years ago, an insect bite, I think, I could see the infection spreading over a few hours, and my glands were going up as they fought the infection. 111 sent me to an emergency doctor, within two hours I was seen and put on antibiotics.

Original poster
Dewdrops1 · 07/07/2024 17:31

LupinLucyCurlyHair · 07/07/2024 17:21

Please ring 111 for medical advice not mumsnet . It’s not good parenting

I was planning on seeking medical attention but sometimes it’s useful to seek advice from others before doing so, as you would a friend or family member. As I said in my original question I’m not on here for a diagnosis but advice. I’ve got an appointment with a gp now but thanks for the support in implying I’m not a good parent for seeking advice on here first@LupinLucyCurlyHair

OP posts:
Rosscameasdoody · 07/07/2024 17:25

I think it could well be cellulitis. I’d ring 111 ASAP and they may give you a reference number for A&E.

Ponderingwindow · 07/07/2024 17:25

Weekend GP appt is the ideal. They will refer to a&e if needed.

Original poster
Dewdrops1 · 07/07/2024 17:24

ApiratesaysYarrr · 07/07/2024 16:13

Seeing your pictures I would be worried about an infection - not cellulitis (infection of the fat/soft tissue just under the skin), but osteomyelitis (infection of the bone). There is something called Pott's puffy tumour - depsite the name it is not a cancer, but infection, and if I saw your daughter, I would want to do a scan to check for bone infection (I'm a dr)

Just seeing this. Thank you for replying @ApiratesaysYarrr with useful info. Just looked it up and very similar symptoms. She hasn’t had sinus infection that I know of but does sound nasally. Would the swelling spread down between her eyes so quickly?

OP posts:
BonifaceBonanza · 07/07/2024 17:23

You’re really fortunate to have got the doctors appointment, that’s the absolute best result for you

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 07/07/2024 17:23

Glad she's being seen.

LupinLucyCurlyHair · 07/07/2024 17:21

Please ring 111 for medical advice not mumsnet . It’s not good parenting

DeerOhDear · 07/07/2024 17:18

If your not convinced by doc you can still try a and e

Original poster
Dewdrops1 · 07/07/2024 17:15

DeerOhDear · 07/07/2024 17:07

Op will you be seeing the same relaxed doc?

I hope not @DeerOhDear 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Dewdrops1 · 07/07/2024 17:14

ButtSurgery · 07/07/2024 17:08

For all the "A&E NOW" responses - a GP in an hour is far more practical than waiting in A&E until 2am. That's why OOH GPs are so valuable.

This is what I was thinking @ButtSurgery , was in a&e a few weeks ago with another dd, waited for hours and hours, they were so busy, hence the original question🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
May09Bump · 07/07/2024 17:10

Go to A&E - you do not know if any internal swelling is happening and that's quite expansive swelling externally as is. It's probably an infected bite and reaction - given the extent of it, it's probably beyond antihistamine and hydrocortisone, and may need IV meds.

ButtSurgery · 07/07/2024 17:09

BirthdayRainbow · 07/07/2024 17:07

Given how long it can be for a call back, I'm still waiting for 111 and it's been YEARS, you really should be going to hospital now. So many of us have had this or similar with our dc. Don't understand why you're happy to risk your child's health.

You've missed the update. She's already spoken to a Dr and sees them in an hour.

ButtSurgery · 07/07/2024 17:08

For all the "A&E NOW" responses - a GP in an hour is far more practical than waiting in A&E until 2am. That's why OOH GPs are so valuable.

DeerOhDear · 07/07/2024 17:07

Op will you be seeing the same relaxed doc?

BirthdayRainbow · 07/07/2024 17:07

Given how long it can be for a call back, I'm still waiting for 111 and it's been YEARS, you really should be going to hospital now. So many of us have had this or similar with our dc. Don't understand why you're happy to risk your child's health.