To take the receptionists advice...?

[CrispsAndDip]

I always get itchy boobs when I am due on my period, this month was particularly bad and I would wake myslf up scratching underneath my boobs.

I realised my boob was really quite sore where I had scratched the other day and when I took my bra off last night.. TOO MUCH INFORMATION KLAXON there was a little blood and yellow puss on it! Not a lot but still..

I thought I would just keep the area dry and hope for the best but I must have had this for about 2 weeks, hence it becoming a bit infected. It looks quite clean but angry.

I rang my surgery for advice as to whether to come in and when I described the problem she said Germolene should do it and did not offer me an appointment.

Sitting at my desk now and it really is stinging quite a bit. Should I overide the receptionists decision and see a doctor (I am being paranoid and imagining allsorts, sepsis etc) or just go and get germolene or similar (if anyone has any better ideas) after work?

TBH I have not really been paying much attention to the area as I didn't realise it was quite as bad as it is so maybe if I make an effort of treating it, it will heal quickly?

bit worried

I would still see a doctor, you don't want to mess about with infection! And the receptionist shouldn't be handing out medical advice!!!

If you feel well in yourself, it doesn't smell and isn't particularly painful I'd try the cream
And if no better in a day or 2 see the doc

Practice nurse territory here. They are easier to see and can prescribe if necessary.
The receptionist should not be advising.

Ask your pharmacist? They're highly trained and usually have a private area if you want them to look

Are you mad? The receptionist is there to sort out the admin of the practice, not to offer medical advice, no matter how minor the problem. Are you sure you didn’t speak to the practice nurse? (but even if you did, if it’s persisting after two weeks and seems a bit infected it needs to be seen by a medical professional, even if not on an urgent basis.

Yes go and see practice nurse. Or even pharmasist if they have a private consultation room.

A receptionist is not qualified in any shape or form to advise anyone about any medical problem! That is ridiculous, I would be having a word. Maybe ask to see the practice nurse if you can't see a GP or at the very least speak to a pharmacist. You do not want to mess with an infection.

I would see a pharmacist. They can quickly identify whether it's something that a simple cream can solve (and if so which one) or whether you need to see a doctor.

That's really bad. A receptionist is in no position to be giving medical advice. As elephantfan said, the practice nurse should be able to advise as to the problem. I definitely mention the receptionist's 'advice' too.

If it wasn't on your breast would you go to the gp? I would probably try the germolene (and maybe once it's healed, try some hydrocortisone for the itchiness and/or some canesten as it sounds like you just have a bit of thrush from the dampness under your boobs. Just my non-medical, but personally experienced advice.

Oh lord you've all got me worried now :( I really don't want to get my tit out to a pharmacist tonight, I have a very old grey bra on.

I guess I will have to try and get an appt in the morning and find a half decent bra

Ooooh what if I take a photo of it to show the pharmacist?

Germolene, really I would speak to the practice nurse or a pharmacist, i would also tell them what the receptionist advised, that is not the job.

I'd be asking the practice manager where the receptionist got her medical or nursing degree.

I didn't think really, the receptionist in my surgery is quite scary and I don't like confrontation. I will speak to my boss tonight and ask for time off in the morning to go to an appt.

I will go to the pharmacy after work and try to pluck up the courage to get my boob out.

I think the issue is that you’ve paid zero attention to the problem for ages, waited til it’s become worse without trying to seek advice early and now want to use overstretched GP services. A quick visit to the pharmacist or practice nurse could solve this - it does sound very much like thrush - you could potentially have tried keeping the area clean and dry yourself and applying an antiseptic or antifungal ointment which you can buy over the counter rather than using a gp appointment for a relatively minor complaint.

No the receptionist should not be giving out medical advice but she probably knows that by providing you with an appointment she’ll have to deny someone else and that sucks.

I was prescribed Canestan when I saw the doctor. The nice receptionist man did not try to prescribe! Mine is broken skin where my boob got rubbed in a crop top. I was putting sudocreme on but a friend advised her GP had said use Canestan- I suppose it makes sense as that area gets very hot and could get fungal....

Go to the pharmacy (with a decent bra on if you want, but they'll have seen it all!)

And complain about the receptionist.

You'd be barmy to take one iota of notice of medical advice from person who answers the phone and does the admin

Just ask for some eumovate cream from the chemist

I'm a GP Receptionist and no, dont take the advice and get an appt with a nurse at least. Yellow Pus is a sign of infection.

I was prescribed Canestan when I saw the doctor.

You can buy canestan or daktarin over the counter

The receptionist is no more medically-trained than you. She's not there to advise patients.

Ask a doctor or at least a pharmacist.

Pharmacists usually have a cordoned off area, so no need to take a photo. Just ask to speak privately

Veterinari are you a GP receptionist too? That's quite smug advice, and why should the OP be treating with anti-fungals etc without a diagnosis? Nothing wrong with seeking an appointment for something that sounds quite distressing.