*sigh . . . another "Do I need to see a doctor/pharmacist/nurse?" one - pic attached

[RedPandaFluff]

I was bitten by something - I think a spider, as I could see two little puncture wounds - in the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday) morning. The red patch is getting bigger and bigger, and it's sore to walk as it's swollen and I suppose fluid is pooling in my ankle.

Should I get it seen to? I'm 24 weeks pregnant if that's relevant . . .

Yes

Definitely.

Yes

Yes you should get it checked out esp being pregnant.

A spider got some monsters in our house

Love your shoes btw

Dammit . . . thought you'd all say "no, don't be daft!" 😄 Right, will see if I can nip out to a pharmacist at lunchtime.

Thanks @RainbowCrashes - they're from M&S and super-comfy 😁

Oooooooh looks nasty.
Have you tried to get the sting/bite out ?
I was bitten and ran a bank card over it at an angle and the sting/bite came out.
Spray peppermint oil on your clothes when going in the garden etc they don`t like that and spray around doors/windows/skirting boards etc.
You can get a small bottle for less than £2.
Get your ankle looked at too.
I also go to a pharmacist before GP/AnE

I sometimes react badly to bites. If it’s still increasing in spread and pain I’d get it checked. If it’s plateauing or receding I’d leave it.

Ouch! Definitely pop to pharmacy first to speak to them, they are usually good.

Especially because you are pregnant too!

I hope it all goes okay!

Yes! I got bitten on my knee by what I assume was a spider and stupidly didn't do anything about it. I had a huge blister that took ages to heal, and now have an ugly scar a year and a half later.

I teact badly to certain bites. A pharmacist will give great advice on what you can take / rub on to soothe it, especially as you're pregnant.

In the meantime, ice pack & elevate it as much as possible. I often find that a big dressing over the top stops it being brushed & touched so reduces aggravation.

Yes!! I’d go to a pharmacist first though

Infected. You need antibiotics.

draw a line round the red so you can see how far it travels in a specific timeline (note time when you draw) and get yourself seen. Red=infection and could lead to cellulitus or worse

Yes, I’d go & see a pharmacist but don’t be surprised if they pass you on to the gp because you’re pregnant, they tend be a bit more cautious when you are ime.

That looks like you have cellulitis. You need antibiotics or it can quickly develop into sepsis. I know this from personal experience

I wouldn't bother with pharmacist, as pp said, they're more cautious with pregnant patients. Is there a walk in/urgent care centre near you? You may need antibiotics. In the meantime, draw round the redness and write the time next to it (use a biro, do not use a Sharpie ), elevate your leg to at least hip height using a second chair or stool, apply some ice if possible. You could take a dose of Chlorphenamine too as it's safe in 2nd trimester and would help the swelling and itching.

I’m a pharmacist. I would direct you straight to the gp with that, it looks infected and will need antibiotics, which need to be prescribed by a dr. If it’s spreading further then definitely go. The various antihistamine products you can buy won’t make much of a difference imo and most are not licensed in pregnancy, it’s not about being cautious it’s just they haven’t been formally tested so I couldn’t advise you take them.
The spiders at the moment are brutal, hope you feel better soon.

Er, what spiders do we have in the UK that bite?? shock

or even

Yes indeed, false widow is the most usual but there are others. People have died from untreated cellulitis and sepsis. Not saying this to scare, but people can be very dismissive of bites and stings as they are so common through late summer and autumn, and if it reacts badly then there can be complications.

Sorry to be so down, but I see a LOT of this at work and all too often the person doesn’t seek help promptly as ‘it’s only a bite’.

Yes, draw a line around it and book an urgent GPs appointment.

Hi everyone - took your advice (thank you!) and went to the pharmacy, they advised me to see my GP for all the reasons you mentioned. The surgery says to come in ASAP so I'll finish up a couple of short meetings and head in.

Reckon the baby will have spidey superpowers? 😄

@RedPandaFluff that's good news that you got an appointment. Spidey powers When I had ds my then 3 year old dnephew was devastated that we didn't name him Peter Parker at his request!

I had a bite almost identical to that last week in Cornwall with two blisters it was so sore and itchy
Panicked and went to pharmacy and they said it would heal alone could take piriton for itching
Mine were back of my foot at the ankle bit and I knocked both of them on the stairs and they went away
But I was terrified
Go get it checked x

Yes mine was similar a couple of years ago and I needed antibiotics for it.