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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not send a photo to the Dr?

140 replies

swissrollisntswiss · 19/11/2024 14:52

DS (4) has a rash around his anus. Very red, with a very clear border. He’s had it for a week now, we’ve tried sudacream but it’s not helped. He’s now complaining that it’s itchy and getting sore. I’ve looked for worms but can’t see any so I’m fairly sure it isn’t that.

After calling the surgery all day I finally get through and I’m told that they can’t see him but to email a photo. I’m not comfortable with this, it feels too private. I’ve sent one when he’s had an eye infection previously, I’m fine with the system but not for this. Is it just me? AIBU?

For full context, I’m not in the UK, I’m British though so not sure if I’m being too British!

OP posts:
AmberPanda · 19/11/2024 18:06

Another one who’s 4 year old he exactly the same and I was sure it wasn’t worms - no sign, but doc told me to treat for worms and it got better straight away.

IncessantNameChanger · 19/11/2024 17:54

Our gp tells you not to photo private parts on photo uploads. I don't blame you. If I sent my gp a photo of dcs bumhole I'm pretty sure I'd be in trouble with them

Differentstarts · 19/11/2024 17:53

Tink3rbell30 · 19/11/2024 17:51

I thought photos could only be viewed by the doctor? The photo wouldn't be identifiable though.

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Your not sending images or anything directly to a gp they go through admin first. It would be identifiable as staff need to know what patient it is so would have name, dob and nhs number on it

2wwhandholdneeded · 19/11/2024 17:53

Tink3rbell30 · 19/11/2024 17:51

I thought photos could only be viewed by the doctor? The photo wouldn't be identifiable though.

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No. Anyone with access can see them, which is anyone who works with a computer in a practice or hospital.

Artistbythewater · 19/11/2024 17:53

What kind of country do you live in that deems this practice acceptable in the first place?

2wwhandholdneeded · 19/11/2024 17:52

Artistbythewater · 19/11/2024 17:52

In this country you would be risking prosecution. Child images of intimate areas and sharing the image would be a criminal offence.
Do not send it.

This. It's a criminal offence in the UK.

Wigglywoowho · 19/11/2024 17:52

I absolutely wouldn't send a photo.

Artistbythewater · 19/11/2024 17:52

In this country you would be risking prosecution. Child images of intimate areas and sharing the image would be a criminal offence.
Do not send it.

Wigglywoowho · 19/11/2024 17:52

It sounds like ring worm. It's a fungle infection that's treated with anti fungal cream like Canesten. Try to keep the area dry. It thrives in warm, damp areas..

Tink3rbell30 · 19/11/2024 17:51

Differentstarts · 19/11/2024 17:49

Yeah drs do but sending a photo is different. That means all admin staff can view it and how many times have the nhs system been hacked. About half of my medical records have been lost nobody has a clue where they are

Show quote history

I thought photos could only be viewed by the doctor? The photo wouldn't be identifiable though.

Radged · 19/11/2024 17:51

Thats outrageous. I'd nor be sending any photos let alone a childs anus for goodness sake.

Differentstarts · 19/11/2024 17:49

Tink3rbell30 · 19/11/2024 17:29

It's fine. It's just an arse, they see it everyday. Better to get him the help as quick as possible.

Yeah drs do but sending a photo is different. That means all admin staff can view it and how many times have the nhs system been hacked. About half of my medical records have been lost nobody has a clue where they are

nocoolnamesleft · 19/11/2024 17:36

Clear edge makes me suspicious of strep. Though worth checking for worms. In the UK sending the picture would not be acceptable. Though I have had to explain to more than one overseas trained doctor exactly why that is the case.

Tink3rbell30 · 19/11/2024 17:29

It's fine. It's just an arse, they see it everyday. Better to get him the help as quick as possible.

TaupeExpert · 19/11/2024 17:28

If there is a clear red line around it then it might be perianal strep. My son had this and it needs antibiotics. GP didn’t know about it but I asked them to swab it and it came back positive.

Differentstarts · 19/11/2024 17:12

Yanbu our surgery specifically state don't send photos of intimate areas and that photos recieved are visible to all staff.

Original poster
swissrollisntswiss · 19/11/2024 17:11

@VegTrug thank you for this explanation. Taking a photo and sending an image that will traceable for an indefinite amount of time and uncontrolled is my concern. It’s also not anonymous. My DS name and DOB will be on the email.

Opinion is pretty divided. I’m going to stick with my gut instinct and call again tomorrow. I don’t think there was a miscommunication. Anus is anus in both English and German.

Thanks for all the other advice too, I’ll hold off on the sudacrem and see if I can check for worms again when he’s sleeping. If the Dr is more helpful I’ll try the pharmacy.

OP posts:
PeloMom · 19/11/2024 17:04

my kids had the same issue and I sent photos. It’s the bum area, no face or anything else recognizable. I had a prescription sent to the pharmacy within a couple of hours instead of my kid being uncomfortable for hours or days until seen. I don’t get the reluctance tbh.
to add- turned to be staph infection and needed antibiotics cream

housethatbuiltme · 19/11/2024 17:03

pl228 · 19/11/2024 15:20

I'd sent it. It won't have his face in and nobody apart from the doctor will know that it's an image of a 4yo.

And to be really crude about it - every person has an arsehole - I just can't see how a faceless photo of one could be used for porn (or whatever you are thinking).

lol, honey no one is looking at the faces in porn... in fact many pornos blur the faces out (especially male faces) or use masks (especially in swinging/dogging) or are shot in a way to not show anything but the 'money shot'.

Gettingbysomehow · 19/11/2024 17:02

We ask for photos so we know how to triage the problem. We have a special system that guarantees complete confidentiality. You can also ask them to delete it as soon as they have seen it. But of course you do have the right to say no. If I was little Id rather my mum sent in a photo than a strange man messed with my bum in a scary setting.

VegTrug · 19/11/2024 17:02

Apologies if that came off sanctimoniously or condescending, that wasn’t my intention. I know many of you will already know all of this, I’m just staggered that this isn’t yet common knowledge. As a mum it infuriates me.

VegTrug · 19/11/2024 16:50

Not to derail the thread or anything but I feel a quick tech lesson is required here.

You know on your phone when you take a picture that you ultimately delete? Yeah, it's not deleted off the actual hard drive of your phone. It's there forever in that whenever you go on to sell your phone, even if you 'Restore to factory settings' there is some (free and very easy to download & use) software that will download Every. Single. Photo/text/video/voice memo you've ever taken or received. Any 'media' that has ever been on your actual device, can be recovered. Even if you had a passcode when you took or received the photo/video etc. Any model of phone and yes, even if you delete it from the 'deleted images' folder.
__
This also applies to tablets including iPads and computers including laptops and digital cameras.

This is usually how evidence against monsters who possess vile images, is gathered (after arrest) because they believe that 'restore to factory settings' wipes the device when it doesn't!

Please please please do not take images of any 'sensitive' areas of your children. At all. Ever

Gloriia · 19/11/2024 16:49

Whoever took the call must've misunderstood. No GP practice would want photos of intimate areas. It would not be policy.

Ask your pharmacist, describe the area. Don't show them photos either.

samarrange · 19/11/2024 16:47

Can you put the photo on Dropbox/Google Drive/OneDrive, and set the permissions so that only doctors_email(a)practicename.co.uk can access it? Then you can just send the link.

rayofsunshine86 · 19/11/2024 16:47

I wouldn't send a photo. I'd reply with a description but ask to be seen in person.