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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:
tulippa · 17/04/2026 17:40

What a rubbish doctor! Surely they can't just shrug their shoulders and say sorry I have no idea and leave it at that? Hope your DD gets better soon.

Hadenough32 · 17/04/2026 17:38

Sounds like mumps?

Viviennemary · 17/04/2026 17:37

Jaffaisitacakeorbiscuit · 17/04/2026 16:48

assuming not mumps I’d be concerned about an underlying kidney issue or Nephrotic syndrome

When I read the first post I though maybe mumps. Bu I agree a& E. Doctor was pretty useless to dismiss it because they didn't know what it was

MabelAnderson · 17/04/2026 17:37

Agree with everyone else, A&E.
I hope they can diagnose her and help her feel better .

TurquoiseDress · 17/04/2026 17:37

I would suggest taking her to Paediatric A&E

DC has a child at their primary who was in reception the time and had a kidney disorder ? Nephrotic syndrome diagnosed

This came on as intermittent swelling in face arms legs and then seemed to reduce but always came back. They’re totally well now, required a long course of steroids to treat but all ok now

Definitely take them for further assessment

Topjoe19 · 17/04/2026 17:33

Hope she gets seen quickly when you go, definitely an A&E job - shocked the GP didn't send you tbh!

AtIusvue · 17/04/2026 17:33

Does she have an electric blanket OP? We had issues with a swollen eyes/face once when they turned on the blanket during the night for hours.

Booooooooom · 17/04/2026 17:30

I had severe contact dermatitis that was like this - I needed a 7 day course of steroids to bring the swelling down. Has she had her hair dyed? Any new washing powder on her pillow?

before they found out it was this they did have to rule out sinus infections and all sorts so they really should be checking her more thoroughly!

Noras · 17/04/2026 17:28

My son had facial swellings at aged 3 it was cellulitis and he was admitted in an antibiotic drip

smallglassbottle · 17/04/2026 17:26

She could have an abscess or something deeper in the tissues. Hope the hospital sort out what it is and provide treatment.

Ihatewinding · 17/04/2026 17:25

She needs her wee checking for protein to rule out Nephrotic syndrome

JustAnotherWhinger · 17/04/2026 17:20

I would get yourself to A&E asap (get your DH to collect your DS from there).

swelling so bad she can’t breathe as she normally does shouldn’t be so easily dismissed by a Dr imo

zantez · 17/04/2026 17:08

Don't criticise yourself for a minute. Good to hear you are going in. Children's A+E is for kids' issues, and a child's status can change from minute to minute. Best of luck, and I hope it is something easy to treat.

canuckup · 17/04/2026 17:08

I'd be at a and e with that personally

Original poster
hubbabaloo · 17/04/2026 17:06

Also to all those saying I should have taken her already, I’m normally a complete worrier with stuff like this and would have done but because the dr said we need to wait and see and only go if it gets worse it’s made me question my judgement!

OP posts:
Original poster
hubbabaloo · 17/04/2026 17:05

@Upsetbettyno rashes that I have noticed. She’s starting to feel a bit feverish so I’m waiting for DH to get home so he can have DS and then we will probably take her in. I just really don’t want to be fobbed off because of the swelling not being as bad in the afternoons!

OP posts:
JoshLymanSwagger · 17/04/2026 17:04

Please take her to A&E.

It's having an impact on her breathing, so they are the place to be - not at a GP, and not on the phone.

You absolutely will not be wasting their time.

Bear
frecklejuice · 17/04/2026 17:04

That Gp sounds really crap, he could at least get her a blood test so they can see if anything is “off”. I’d definitely try urgent care if it remains the same.

zantez · 17/04/2026 17:03

Those symptoms would have me worried if it was my child. Not judging you, but I would have been straight to A+E after the doctor's. So go now would be my advice. So what if they come up with something simple and readily treatable, (that would be the best outcome obviously) - they have the means to test for different things that a doc surgery cannot.

Go woman, go.

Upsetbetty · 17/04/2026 17:01

@hubbabaloo is there absolutely no rash anywhere?

ThatLilacTiger · 17/04/2026 16:58

I'm a bit concerned about the feeling unwell but not being able to put your finger on how. You need to take her to hospital.

MyGammyEye · 17/04/2026 16:57

Sorry, tough love!! You are not wasting anybody's time.

Strangerthanfictions · 17/04/2026 16:56

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?

Nah get to A&E - children present well enough until they suddenly don't. I'd go up and get ahead of it in case you're waiting for ages, it sounds bad enough to be an emergency in my view.

MyGammyEye · 17/04/2026 16:55

I had a swelling on my neck, affected one side of face but so much so itvwas affecting swallowing. I was referred for an Ultrasound, in the meantime piriton had brought it down.

The sonographer said any future incidents, straight to A&E.

I'm 50 and it was frightening. Doctors can just be dickheads. Get her to A&E now.

Don't even post here until you are there.

honeyfox · 17/04/2026 16:50

What an absolutely useless doctor.

I'd go to A&E.

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