Why do I have a big red foot?

[YoureGoingToHateMe]

I had a day at a spa on Wednesday and fell asleep for maybe 45 minutes on a lounger. I was inside by the pool and there doesn’t seem to be any cuts or bites on it.

When I went to get changed I noticed that my shoe felt a bit tight but didn’t think much of it. The next day I was hobbling around on it and it was bright red as if it was sunburnt. The pain and most of the redness has now gone but it’s still swollen to the point that I can only wear slippers (even in flip flops my foot is swelling out of it)

Should I go to the doctor or leave it a bit longer? The receptionist at my GP’s is a bit of a dragon at the best of times, I imagine she’ll just hang up if I phone up to tell them that I’ve got a big foot.

Has anyone else had anything similar? Any suggestions as to what it could be or how to make it go down a bit? I’m keeping it elevated as much as possible but that’s obviously tricky as I have 2 dc.

If that is cellulitis then you need immediate antibiotics. Can be very serious if not treated

Are you on the pill? Could it be some kind of clot?

Def get it looked at! My DD scraped herself at the pool and it went proper manky. There could be a tinny little scratch or something you can’t see.
Does look like cellulitis

If you said you'd injured it that wouldn't worry me. But swelling to the point you can't wear shoes with no idea why and I'd probably head to out of hours. (Although it's hard to tell how swollen it is without seeing your other foot as comparison)

If it’s cellulitis it needs treating ASAP. Don’t leave it.

You need it looked at and probably antibiotics, I'd give 111 a call.

Don't leave it, you need someone to look at it.

I was reading the other day about a woman that picked up an infection in a hot tub and ended up losing her leg! She nearly died of sepsis. Bloody terrifying!

Oh, bloody hell it does look like cellulitis and I was in the jacuzzi for ages 😬. I assumed it was some kind of midge bite or something but there’s very definitely not bite or scratch anywhere.

It does feel very hot too, doesn’t really hurt anymore but isn’t getting any smaller or less red either. I’ll give the GP a call first thing tomorrow.

Would you not be better calling 111 tonight? Any walk assessment centres near you?

Walk in l mean.. (or hobble in, sorry..)

111 tonight, don't wait until tomorrow

It’s red, swollen and hot. That’s a 111 job, not a “wait overnight and see your gp” issue.

Noooooo. OP listen, 111 tonight. Don’t wait.

I really don't want to worry you but with me, same place, it was a blood clot due to medication I was taking for my periods. I've medics in the family who told me straight away to get it checked out. It was a hot red swelling on the top of my foot.

I completely agree that it also looks like cellulitis.
Do you have an out of hours service? Mine happened on a Saturday night, I called up out of hours and they made an appointment for me at urgent care within 30 mins which was situated in a hospital.

Nooo!! Don't wait, call someone now, seriously OP this isn't something that should wait till morning. If it's cellulitis you'll need iv antibiotics, the GP won't be able to treat it.

You should not be waiting until tomorrow.

I'd pop along to urgent care now. Best not to wait til the morning.

Given you were in a jacuzzi, I'd be making my way to a&e immediately. Those things are absolutely manky germ soups. I know of several people who got horrible infections from them.

If it feels hot it needs immediate attention. Infections can spread fast (as in hours). I think you should call 111 tonight.

Exactly two years ago, thanks fb for reminding me, I had this on exactly the same foot as you. By the following night I was admitted to hospital in infection controlled side room with sepsis. Don’t wait.

I’ve called 111 and they’ve told me to go to minor injuries tomorrow morning. It doesn’t seem any worse, they did all the questions and determined I’m not high risk of blood clots so should be alright.

Thanks for all the advice. I felt a bit daft asking about a big foot but I’m glad I did.

Let us know how you get on!

I had that from a bite and needed antibiotics.
It recovered quite quickly once I had them.