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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In asking if people think I should see a doctor?

82 replies

arganlady · 01/06/2019 18:25

I got bitten two days ago on the arm. I think. I was working outside and looked down and it was bleeding, I didn't catch or bash it that I know of.

It's been itching like hell ever since and now has swollen up and it got and hard.

Going to the doctor on a weekend will cost me a small fortune (not in the UK) and it's 2 hours each way (please whatever wait the ER will have.)

DH thinks it's nothing and I shouldn't be worried but he's no good bloody judge, he's one of these people that doesn't go to the doctor until he's half dead or a limb is falling off. 

Pictures included. I'm assuming it was a spider bite as a red ant or similar would have hurt more at the time.

OP posts:
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ControversialFerret · 02/06/2019 18:54

That looks nasty - and it's got a lot worse over the last 24 hours.

You need to go to hospital. Now.

ControversialFerret · 02/06/2019 18:55

Sparkle I'm not 100% sure but I think I've seen posts from OP before on other threads, and IIRC she lives in the USA but is on an island community so getting to and from the mainland is a ferry trip.

Original poster
arganlady · 02/06/2019 19:30

@ControversialFerret that's right. It's a bloody pain getting to the hospital in the day. At night time it's possible but would cost us years worth of repayments! Sad

OP posts:
U2HasTheEdge · 02/06/2019 19:31

I would definitely go to the hospital with the way it looks now. I hope you feel better soon OP.

ControversialFerret · 02/06/2019 19:42

OP please try and get to a hospital as soon as you can. I know that the cost of healthcare is ridiculous, but cellulitis can have some very nasty and serious complications - including gangrene. Time really is of the essence when treating it.

HappyHammy · 02/06/2019 19:48

Do you have insurance. I think you need to go to the hospital to get it looked at.

funkythighcollector · 02/06/2019 20:09

Well it’s currently 3pm on the east coast and 12 midday on the west coast, so unless it’s looking better you should go before the last ferry and avoid the risk of having to pay thousands to get there at night

ChiaraRimini · 02/06/2019 20:51

Get to to hospital now OP, as you are on an island you can't take the chance this could be sepsis

Poppins2016 · 02/06/2019 21:43

Could you stay in a hotel on the mainland? Surely better to pay for a night in a hotel than risk thousands on an unplanned trip at night...

To be honest though I'd head straight for the hospital again, rather than a hotel... It looks so much worse.

SouthernComforts · 02/06/2019 21:47

Oh dear that looks nasty op, please get it looked at again asap.

lljkk · 02/06/2019 21:51

Let us know what happens. x

Original poster
arganlady · 02/06/2019 21:53

It looks SO much better all of a sudden so the antibiotics must have kicked in. She did say it would be at least 24 hours before it started to get better.

Also, she was so lovely, she used anti biotics that were from other patients blister packs that weren't needed and the steroids expire in June so I wasn't charged for them.

In asking if people think I should see a doctor?
OP posts:
DoctorDread · 02/06/2019 21:54

Bloody hell OP it's like something out of Cabin Fever! I hope you can see someone soon

Myusernameismud · 02/06/2019 21:54

Goodness me OP that must have been scary, so glad you're on the mend. Has your fever gone?

Original poster
arganlady · 02/06/2019 21:55

She said she has no doubt that without treatment I would have died. Christ, it makes you think, we're so lucky to live in an age and area where we have access to medicine. (Even if it can bankrupt you here.)

OP posts:
JustHereforHarriet · 02/06/2019 21:55

Oh okay I take that back. If it responded that well to antibiotics you clearly did the right thing!

Original poster
arganlady · 02/06/2019 21:55

Fever gone! It's still itching like a mother fucker though. My fear of spiders has become complete and utter terror now!

OP posts:
Original poster
arganlady · 02/06/2019 21:57

No I do think if we'd have been on the mainland or had insurance she'd have sent me in to hospital.

OP posts:
BurntSausage · 02/06/2019 22:12

Holy fuck, I’ve never seen an infection travel like that. You poor thing, I hope the antibiotics work quickly. Are you in America?

BurntSausage · 02/06/2019 22:13

Ah, just seen your update 😁 glad it’s looking better.

Original poster
arganlady · 02/06/2019 22:17

@BurntSausage I am. Yes it was bloody quick! We don't have any poisonous spider where I am, it was just what you can get from any spider bite apparently! I also found out they carry tetanus spores so had to have tdap booster. Envy

OP posts:
JustHereforHarriet · 02/06/2019 22:26

Sorry OP, only saw the first image when I commented. Crazy infection. So glad you’re getting better.

Booboostwo · 02/06/2019 22:29

That looks so much better!

My friend got bitten on his leg by a tiny spider and ended up in hospital. His leg was four times the size, he was on Iv antibiotics and when he was discharged a nurse visited him at home for two weeks to keep an eye on the infection. It was very scary from such a tiny creature.

LazyFace · 02/06/2019 23:03

Glad you got the help you needed, Op!

CaptSkippy · 03/06/2019 12:51

Make sure you finish the prescribed course of anti-biotics.

Glad to see it's looking better

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