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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to tell my DP to see a GP tomorrow

43 replies

ControlGeek · 06/10/2013 18:37

Yesterday, DP was out working in the garden and felt something sharp irritating his finger. He couldn't see anything but was able to get his ring off with some difficulty. It's been driving him crazy since, and now his finger and the back of his hand have swollen up and gone red. What was a small red lump a little like a nettle rash yesterday is now a large (ish) blister. He has pain going all the way up his arm and the pain, itching and irritation in his finger and his hand is almost unbearable. I've made him put a bag of frozen veg on it just to stop him rubbing it.

He went to get the pharmacist's advice earlier today, but because he's diabetic he can't take much so just has 10mg one-a-day loratadine tablets. He was advised to see a GP if it hadn't improved by Tuesday. He's not a wuss so if he says it's bothering him then it's normally enough to floor an ox. I've also kind of freaked us both out by googling UK spider bites and seeing very similar pictures to DP's blister.

AIBU to insist he tries to see a GP tomorrow or should we wait til Tuesday or beyond?

OP posts:
Hawkmoth · 06/10/2013 19:08

Good luck, that looks pretty sore.

Mabelface · 06/10/2013 19:09

Can he not just present himself at A&E?

Mabelface · 06/10/2013 19:10

He's at risk of sepsis and complications due to his diabetes. I wouldn't mess around ringing 111, just go.

sparkle12mar08 · 06/10/2013 19:12

If he wasn't diabetic I'd have said sit it out till tomorrow unless it gets worse in the meantime, but given that diabetics can have serious complications with circulatory issues, it's not a risk I'd want to take. I'm very glad you're calling about it tonight.

Rikalaily · 06/10/2013 19:16

Dp got bitten by a spider on his forearm a few months ago which looked just like that, it's shocking how quick they get infected. By the next day he had an area the size of his hand which was red and swollen, the bite had blistered to the size of his thumb nail and he had a track line spreading up his arm from it. He was given some strong antibiotics by the doctor. I'd get it seen asap, I would go to A&E, dp was lucky to get a GP appointment really quick, I would have sent him to the hospital if he hadn't.

smileyhappymummy · 06/10/2013 19:17

Agree, I am a GP and would want to see that tonight, esp in view of his diabetes, hope he gets sorted soon!

Original poster
ControlGeek · 06/10/2013 19:19

madlizzy because apparently it's neither an accident nor an emergency, so we have to have an appointment or risk getting turned away.

oldgrandmama DP's had his lifetime's worth of tetanus shots so no worries on that score.

He's had cellulitis in his legs several times, but never warranted abs for it - just inadine and mepore when it turns ulcerated.

DP's just had the call back from 111 - less than 5 minutes, got to be a record!

OP posts:
pointythings · 06/10/2013 19:22

I had a spider bite last year which looked just like that, got infected very very quickly (to an area the size of my really very large hand) and needed antibiotics. It took about 6 weeks for the wound to be fully healed and I still have a scar. Glad you are taking this seriously.

Original poster
ControlGeek · 06/10/2013 19:23

He has an appt at the hospital at 20:10 this evening. Thank you everyone, I really would have left it until tomorrow and without a hefty shove DP would never have gone anywhere of his own accord

OP posts:
Mumsyblouse · 06/10/2013 19:27

I don't get why a spider biting you is not an accident, what is an accident then?

Hope it works out op, always better to be safe than sorry especially if there are complications.

Mabelface · 06/10/2013 19:30

I doubt they'd turn you away considering what it is. If it was a sprain, fair enough, but not for an infection like that. Good that he's going to get seen.

claretandamberforever · 06/10/2013 19:32

My word, that looks so incredibly itchy and sting-ey

NationMcKinley · 06/10/2013 19:41

Control let them know you think it's cellulitis

Original poster
ControlGeek · 06/10/2013 21:23

DP has been given a prescription for flucloxacillin and cetirizine. He has a temp of 37.8 but blood glucose levels are thankfully normal. We've no way of getting this filled before tomorrow morning so it's paracetamol and anthisan for now.

Sorry I can't s roll back to see who asked why it wasn't classsed as an accident, it's because it happened yesterday and has cropped up gradually rather than being an issue at the time it ws caused Confused

Thanks for everyone's comments and help Thanks

OP posts:
iwantanafternoonnap · 06/10/2013 21:50

I work in A and E and triage and I wouldn't have turned a bite like that away especially not someone who is diabetic. Glad he has got some antibiotics.

pointythings · 06/10/2013 21:55

That's good news, OP - glad they took it seriously. I hope he doesn't feel too ill, if it's a spider bite a temperature is not abnormal at all. I was told to take antihistamines alongside the antibiotics and it worked, hope it works for your DP too.

daisychain01 · 06/10/2013 22:08

Given his medical condition of diabetes, definitely see a medical specialist, either A&E or GP at the earliest opportunity. All the best xx

daisychain01 · 06/10/2013 22:09

Very sorry should have read page 2! I just went straight to the photo on yr profile

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