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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wait for 111 callback?

28 replies

NoMatch4Me · 22/07/2025 21:31

I called 111 around 2 hours ago after noticing a pin prick type of rash all over my 10mo DD. Aswell as the rash she has a temp at 38.6, a sore blister type rash around her mouth (i suspected a drool rash as she is teething) and a wheezy cough. They didn't seem to concerned and I was told we would be put on a waiting list for a consultant call back but we still haven't heard anything back. (Photos attached for advice)

I don't have the means to quickly get to A&E and back if it's nothing. I have £20 to my name, I don't drive nor know anyone who does and the local hospital is 45 minutes away but I'm really worried it could be something serious and don't just want to start getting settled for bed. Should I call them back, wait or go to a&e?

(Rash isn't as obvious in the photos unfortunately, it's worse in person)

To wait for 111 callback?
To wait for 111 callback?
To wait for 111 callback?
To wait for 111 callback?
OP posts:
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SleepyRic · 23/07/2025 22:18

NoMatch4Me · 23/07/2025 10:36

It was a waste of time and a logistical nightmare. Paramedics were concerned with her temp and heart rate so wanted to take her in. They didn't take us to the local one 45 minutes but the one almost 2 hours away instead (no idea why) and the doctors just took a brief look at her and said its likely viral so wait it out until it clears. We ended up stuck in the hospital with no way home until 6.30am this morning when the buses started. DD still isn't eating or drinking is still abit upset but she is less unsettled. She mostly slept all night, I, in the other hand, am utterly exhausted.

At least they didn't think it was anything sinister! Hope she's doing better now! It's parenthood, a permanent state of exhaustion!!!

SleepyRic · 23/07/2025 22:12

NoMatch4Me · 22/07/2025 23:04

I've just had the callback from 111, they are going to send out a paramedic to check her over and assess how she is to see what they think the next steps should be. Understandably theres no specific time frame on when to expect them though. I think the sleep seems to be helping her temp though as she is now more sweaty hot than burning hot. Sod's law really but I'm hopeful we are heading in the direction for some recovery or atleast an answer to what is wrong.

Yep 111 do say this often - a paramedic check up. Except paramedics don't have any minor illness training and very very strong guidance never to discharge any child under the age of 5 - if parents are concerned enough to accept an ambulance then even if you find a child that looks the picture of health without a single symptom you take them to A&E. (Essentially you don't have any pead minor illness training or qualification - if you miss something you can't defend it, if something goes wrong it'll make the news).

I wish 111 would at least be honest about it, so frustrating "they said you were just going to check him out I didn't want to goto a&e" so annoying - no I'm here to persuade you to goto a&e, and if you refuse I have to safeguard you as a possible risk to your children.

Sunshineclouds11 · 23/07/2025 12:26

Seen the photos now and looks exactly like my DD's HFM.

We got a throat/mouth numbing spray, can get from chemist and it was a game changer. She started eating and drinking properly.

Hope she feels better soon

birdling · 23/07/2025 10:44

I'm glad she's a bit better.
Perhaps the local hospital was at capacity and they thought you would get seen sooner at the further away one.
Try to sleep as much as you can today and possibly get a doctor's appointment for today (if you can) as you don't want a similar situation tonight if her temp goes up again (it often is worse at night).

Motomum23 · 23/07/2025 10:40

Glad your DD is OK - definitely focus on that rather than the nightmare of a hospital hours away. I think with babies paramedics like to be safe as they can go downhill quickly.

Original poster
NoMatch4Me · 23/07/2025 10:36

It was a waste of time and a logistical nightmare. Paramedics were concerned with her temp and heart rate so wanted to take her in. They didn't take us to the local one 45 minutes but the one almost 2 hours away instead (no idea why) and the doctors just took a brief look at her and said its likely viral so wait it out until it clears. We ended up stuck in the hospital with no way home until 6.30am this morning when the buses started. DD still isn't eating or drinking is still abit upset but she is less unsettled. She mostly slept all night, I, in the other hand, am utterly exhausted.

OP posts:
Rictasmorticia · 23/07/2025 10:19

Hope you got it sorted and the little one is OK

justasking111 · 23/07/2025 09:58

@NoMatch4Me how are you both doing today

Original poster
NoMatch4Me · 22/07/2025 23:04

I've just had the callback from 111, they are going to send out a paramedic to check her over and assess how she is to see what they think the next steps should be. Understandably theres no specific time frame on when to expect them though. I think the sleep seems to be helping her temp though as she is now more sweaty hot than burning hot. Sod's law really but I'm hopeful we are heading in the direction for some recovery or atleast an answer to what is wrong.

OP posts:
Chick981 · 22/07/2025 22:48

I’ve always found 111 pretty useless with kids that age because they just default to A&E (I get they need to err on the side of caution).

It sounds and looks like hand foot mouth to me. Personally I wouldn’t go to A&E but you have to do what’s right for your child. I have no doubt taken mine in when others would have stayed at home. There isn’t a right or wrong answer.

But if you aren’t overly worried and A&E would stretch you financially then I wouldn’t feel bad about waiting for a call back and keeping an eye on her, that sounds like a sensible option.

ThreenagerCentral · 22/07/2025 22:44

To help with getting fluids in her, maybe try an ice lolly if you’ve got one? I know you wouldn’t normally give sugar in the night time but as a one off it would be a good way to hydrate her and maybe help with the temp x

Allybob88 · 22/07/2025 22:38

Phone your normal doctors, it should direct you to the out of hours GP for your area , they will usually offer you an appointment so you aren't in a&e for hours and are closer than the hospital for you to get to.

SleepyRic · 22/07/2025 22:30

Even forgetting all the rest, if she's not taking fluids/dropped below 50% intake you're going to end up in A&E. Call back times vary - I work for ambulance service, in my area at present it's about 8 hours for 111, 999 are also on call back but that should be 1-2hrs with ambulances about 1-2hrs on a cat2 (if they code as sepsis/meningitis) or cat3 if they go down fever/generally unwell -looking at 4-8 hours.

It could well be something like hand foot and mouth but as said for diagnosis and the fluid drop you'll be directed to A&E. Can anyone drive you now instead of risking waiting so many hours? You're obviously going to have to make your way back home after being seen so plan for that too.

mamagogo1 · 22/07/2025 22:28

Hand foot and mouth to me as well (I’m not a doctor, just seen it in my dc) personally unless they are in distress I’d offer plenty of fluids (including water) and see how they are in the morning, if temperature goes over 39 call 111 back but if it’s a virus really it’s a case of waiting for it to run its course

U53rn8m3ch8ng3 · 22/07/2025 22:26

Looks like HFM and heat rash to me. HFM is rally nasty, my daughter lost a fingernail or two and was really poorly. I can't remember if she had any sort of treatment though other than painkillers. We did see the Dr. Get her checked. Better to be safe than sorry

justasking111 · 22/07/2025 22:25

If you have no transport, just watch and wait.

fourelementary · 22/07/2025 22:22

Looks like HFM to me and if she’s sleeping I would not be taking her anywhere. If it’s viral the temperature will help kill off the virus if it’s just grumbly high but coming down with calpol etc. Hopefully she can still manage to drink a bit and feels a bit better tomorrow after a decent sleep.

Bingbong9009 · 22/07/2025 22:20

I’d trust your gut and go to a&e. 111 will likely tell you to get her checked over due to her age and because you can’t bring her temperature down. Hope she’s okay.

Stardust286 · 22/07/2025 22:18

The rash doesn't look concerning but the hot body and cool arms and legs are a red flag for infection. If it were mine I'd take her to be seen tonight

Where2GoNext · 22/07/2025 22:13

I don't think the rash around her mouth is a drool rash, the skin looks too broken to me.

Honestly I'd want her being seen tonight, especially if Calpol/ibuprofen aren't bringing her temp down. Plus you say she seems off and not crawling/standing like she usually does. Maybe call 111 back and ask for OOH GP appointment

Original poster
NoMatch4Me · 22/07/2025 22:04

Also to add what she has managed to drink she has been sick within an hour but that's also when she's having a coughing fit so could be unrelated to her not actually being able to keep the milk down.

Pictures are also now showing in my OP if that helps.

OP posts:
Lmnop22 · 22/07/2025 22:02

If she’s OK in herself, Calpol brings the temp down, the rash disappears under a glass and she’s keeping down food/water and having wet nappies then I would wait for the call back from 111 and dk bedtime etc as normal.

Original poster
NoMatch4Me · 22/07/2025 22:02

To answer a couple of questions

  • Yes, the rash on her body disappears under a glass.
  • I have given her calpol and ibuprofen (at different times) and it isn't making much difference, even though its a battle to even administer it. I've tried a cool bath, stripping her down to her nappy, a fan on in the room, standing at the door. Nothing. However I have just took her temp again and it's now 38.3. Her arms and legs are cool to touch but her head chest and back are like touching a radiator.
  • She won't let me near her mouth to be able to inspect it, has no interest in food or a bottle and will not open her mouth at all except when she's coughing or crying.
  • Presentation is off, to the point she was sent home early from nursery today they even sent a message to check in before closing. She has had roughly 8oz milk in total all day, won't eat food although she is interested when I'm eating, shes very quiet, won't stand up or crawl around and just wants cuddled and to sleep but just cries. Nappies are starting to get drier although not fully dry yet.

She's asleep at the moment, I don't know whether to give it an hour and recheck her over then go from there. Hopefully they might have called back by then. I don't know.

OP posts:
PoopingAllTheWay · 22/07/2025 21:41

How is she in herself? Eating? Drinking? Normal.cry, Wet nappies? Is calpol bringing her temperature down?

Shortandsweet20 · 22/07/2025 21:41

Slightly different circumstances but when my partner suspected he had a blood clot we rang 111 and were told get would call back urgently, 19 hours later we went to a&e and it was. It was all quite serious very quickly so I would say trust your gut if you think it’s serious.

have you checked with a glass? If it doesn’t go I would just call 999