To call NHS 24? Or is this hypochondria?

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My DH is telling me to call out of hours as GP is closed for Good Friday but I’m not convinced…

I quite often get hormonal cysts at various times of the month, usually around ovulation then when period is due. They are usually quite small and while they can be painful I can usually treat them at home. My Mum has the same issue and has done for years. Two days ago, a cyst came up under the skin on my inner thigh and it’s not responding to any home methods. It’s gotten bigger and darker, like blood is pooled under the skin, but it’s far too painful to burst. The pain is now radiating down my leg, and the area around the cyst is red. My DH read online that red lines around the area could be blood poisoning and he’s worried about sepsis and says to call NHS 24 as GP is not open until Tuesday. I’m worried about wasting NHS time on a busy weekend. Any opinions?

I think you should call if it's causing a lot of pain and isn't like your normal symptoms

I would call. Any red areas that are increasing are a worry, as are red tracking lines.

No, phone NHS24. Probably needs antibiotics and if it’s changing quickly you’ll be miserable by Tuesday.

Yes listen to your partner and get some antibiotics! It sounds infected xx

Draw round it. Any red lines coming out indicate infection that needs urgent antibiotic treatment. Personally I’d go to a and e or walk in centre. Took ds with similar and told we had done the right thing.

Call and let the professionals decide.

Thank you, have phoned now and I’m waiting on call back to arrange for doctor to see it and prescribe antibiotics.

I had this 18months ago. Couldn't sit down, went to A&E and they prepped for surgery 😳. Thankfully there was no slots that night so sent me home with antibiotics to come back the next morning and it had burst with all the prodding!

Interestingly, I get cysts every cycle!!

I'm a nurse and if you were my friend, I'd be getting you to call 111 or see the out of hours gp. If you begin to feel unwell (temperature, racy heart, dizzy etc) then A&E wouldn't be an overreaction. Hope you feel better soon!

Thanks everyone, saw out of hours GP and cyst is very infected, was sent home with a week of antibiotics and instructions to go to straight to A&E if redness keeps spreading or I get a temperature etc. Have conceded that DH was right on this one!

So glad you’ve been seen, I ended up being operated on at four in the morning. 35 years ago but have never forgotten it.