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Original poster

Any idea what this could be, Dr doesn’t know!

194 replies

hubbabaloo · 17/04/2026 16:15

DD (8) has had swelling in her face all week. Drs originally thought it was down to her dermatitis so they prescribed some cream but it hasn’t made a difference. The swelling has been getting worse everyday, to the point this morning she could barely open her eyes, she also has swelling around her nose so she’s breathing through her mouth. It starts off worse in the morning and gets slightly better through the day but there is still some swelling there at the end of the day.
When we saw the Gp this morning her neck was also really swollen and he said every gland is up. She has no temp but a raised heart rate and says she doesn’t feel well but can’t really describe why. Dr said he has no idea, it could be something viral but her body is obviously trying to fight something as her glands are up. He said it will either get worse, in which case go to a&e or the body will fight it on its own.

anyone else’s child had this and have any clue what it could be?

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 17/04/2026 20:02

A few people have suggested mumps, which is a virus.

WhatAMarvelousTune · 17/04/2026 20:00

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 17/04/2026 19:52

They always say it's viral when they don't know

They say it because they've excluded everything else! They don't say a thing is viral just because they don't know FFS

I agree that they don’t just say it when they don’t know.

But they quite clearly do not say it when they’ve ruled out everything else. They’ve not ruled out everything else here because posters have suggested things that are clearly not ruled out. A friend of mine was repeatedly told her baby’s very odd symptoms (which were nothing like OP’s DD so I’m not suggesting this!) were “viral”. She had a brain tumour. Which yes, was very rare. But they say viral on a balance of probabilities, not because they have actually excluded all other causes.

usedtobeaylis · 17/04/2026 19:57

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 17/04/2026 19:53

Which is exactly what the GP said.

Show quote history

Right, and I'm a random person on the internet with no medical background hoping it's an unusual reaction and nothing worse. Trained and responsible medical professionals have a bit more in their bag for an 8 year old child.

zantez · 17/04/2026 19:55

I'm sure OP will be back to fill us in, and I hope it's something that can be easily treated.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 17/04/2026 19:53

usedtobeaylis · 17/04/2026 19:52

Good luck OP, hopefully just an unusual reaction to a virus.

Which is exactly what the GP said.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 17/04/2026 19:52

They always say it's viral when they don't know

They say it because they've excluded everything else! They don't say a thing is viral just because they don't know FFS

usedtobeaylis · 17/04/2026 19:52

Good luck OP, hopefully just an unusual reaction to a virus.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 17/04/2026 19:50

25mini7 · 17/04/2026 19:18

Swelling and glands up, I would ask for blood test. How is she in herself ?

What, just any old blood test, eh?

You can't rock up to A and E and tell them "I want a blood test" can you.

nocoolnamesleft · 17/04/2026 19:49

Ihateandilove · 17/04/2026 19:44

Did they dip urine to check for protein?
swelling with protein in urine would be concerning for nephrotic syndrome

Yeah, I'd certainly be a bit more comfortable if the urine had been dipped.

Cluelessfirstimer · 17/04/2026 19:49

I had mumos as an adult. Was awful. I was fully vaccinated. It does sound like this.

OP let us know how it goes. BUT if it completely goes away but happens again (in the face or another area of the body) you should ask them to test for hereditary angioedema (C1 esterase inhibitor) this would be unlikely as its v rare but as a teenager I kept getting random bouts of swelling. They tested me for everything for a few years and age 23 I got swelling in my face and was taken to hospital where an immunologist told them to test for this.

It was. They tested my whole family and my father had it but never had any symptoms. Turns out 2 of my siblings did too.

As I said its v unlikely but I know when the swelling goes down doctors kind of dismiss you so if that happens and it becomes recurring do push. Most doctors have never heard of it. It doesnt really have many other symptoms. Sometimes you feel a bit rubbish but not really unwell.

Ihateandilove · 17/04/2026 19:44

Did they dip urine to check for protein?
swelling with protein in urine would be concerning for nephrotic syndrome

BeethovenNinth · 17/04/2026 19:35

A and E.

WhatAMarvelousTune · 17/04/2026 19:28

GeorginaWilby · 17/04/2026 18:53

I agree with going to A&E.
But, can a child catch mumps if vaccinated? This is worrying if so.

For things that are not as serious:
My 3.5 yr old grandson had a rash on his chest, I was so worried. We took a good picture and showed it to ChatGPT. It told us what it wasn't and what it might be. Suggested some lotions. It worked well for us.

They definitely can. I think it’s about 80% effective. A friend of mine caught it at uni, although obviously she’d had the vaccine longer ago than OP’s DD, so not sure if the protection decreases over the years.

Sassylovesbooks · 17/04/2026 19:28

It's possible that your daughter could have Mumps. I agree with taking your daughter to A&E, and am glad you are doing so. I hope the hospital manage to find out what's wrong.

Britainisgreat · 17/04/2026 19:27

CandyEnclosingInvisible · 17/04/2026 16:21

Ideas to ask for tests for might include Cushings Syndrome (test for cortisol levels) a thyroid disorder or a kidney issue causing fluid retention. "Don't know" isn't acceptable, the doctor needs to keep investigating until the cause is found. Good luck!

Our dog has Cushings...

ThrivingNotDiving · 17/04/2026 19:25

@Gloriia what is this magical blood test that is going to give you all the answers?

25mini7 · 17/04/2026 19:18

Swelling and glands up, I would ask for blood test. How is she in herself ?

XiCi · 17/04/2026 19:08

Really hope you're at A&E now OP. I'd have bypassed the GP and gone straight there with those symptoms.

Gloriia · 17/04/2026 19:02

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 17/04/2026 18:54

Swelling and a raised heart rate should necessitate a basic blood screen

Why? They're just evidence of an infection. The GP has seen the child and thought it was viral.

They alway says it's viral when they don't know. 'Go to a&e' if any change is ridiculously inadequate
Basic bloods can identify issues, if they didn't we wouldn't bother getting checks would we.

Velumental · 17/04/2026 19:00

Sounds like severe sinusitis although could be adnovirus, seems to be everywhere just now

Foodylicious · 17/04/2026 18:59

Hope you get OK okay OP.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 17/04/2026 18:54

Swelling and a raised heart rate should necessitate a basic blood screen

Why? They're just evidence of an infection. The GP has seen the child and thought it was viral.

Spiderham · 17/04/2026 18:54

I'm not one to dash to A&E but as PP have said a child with swelling around airways should be seen. I had similar symptoms years ago ( but still an adult) saw one GP who fobbed me off basically, insisted on being seen a few days later and the second GP was very pissed off that I'd been fobbed off as it was cellulitis of the face and i needed high dose antibiotics. Its probably nothing worrying but perhaps best to go now as opposed to going at 4am or something more worried. Hope shes OK.

GeorginaWilby · 17/04/2026 18:53

I agree with going to A&E.
But, can a child catch mumps if vaccinated? This is worrying if so.

For things that are not as serious:
My 3.5 yr old grandson had a rash on his chest, I was so worried. We took a good picture and showed it to ChatGPT. It told us what it wasn't and what it might be. Suggested some lotions. It worked well for us.

Gloriia · 17/04/2026 18:51

DeathBecomesMe · 17/04/2026 18:46

As poster above said - mumps?
I was exactly like this with mumps, aged 10.
Hope she's feeling better soon, bless her.

She's seen a GP. Don't take her to A&E.
I think some Mumsnet users watch US shows and think we have the same health system and you should attend the hospital for everything 😅

Swelling and a raised heart rate should necessitate a basic blood screen. I'm the last person to advocate a&e but there is a happy medium and the gp doing fuck all is not it.

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