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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Please help me *warning-DISGUSTING photo*

56 replies

youaretheonethingonmymind · 31/12/2022 18:16

Sorry for the disgusting photo (I’ll post it below this)

Hope it’s ok to post a 2nd post about this- it’s got worse/changed since my initial post so just thought I’d make a new post altogether since it’s now more infected rather than simple psoriasis.

ive got a cut behind my ear that’s not healing. It started as simple psoriasis and now it’s got worse and I think it’s infected. It’s red, very painful, wet, and leaking sticky yellow stuff. I think it started 3 weeks ago but I can’t actually remember exactly, but it seems to have got much worse over the last few days especially. It started out behind the crack of my ear but now it’s spread onto the back of my ear and up my head. I can’t lie on it because it hurts and it’s as if the whole area is on fire.

I’ve been using boiled saltwater to clean it and antiseptic cream from the pharmacy in the meantime but the pharmacist said it needs something stronger so when the doctors reopens I’ll make an appointment. Just wondered if anyone had any advice to try and make it go away or anything I could do at home to help it in the meantime?

Obviously if I could fix it myself without needing to take up a GP or nurse appointment for such a small thing it would be much better so if anyone has any advice or tips I would be really grateful x

OP posts:
Parrotid · 31/12/2022 18:19

Can’t see the photo but you need to get someone to mark the margins of it so you can see if it is spreading.

Frostine · 31/12/2022 18:19

You haven't posted a photo ( yet ) but check to see if any shops that have a pharmacy is open near you tomorrow and seek advice from the pharmacist .

Original poster
youaretheonethingonmymind · 31/12/2022 18:20

That’s it there, the line/cut is the crack behind my ear (just in case it’s not obvious what the photo is exactly)

just to clarify, if anyone has any advice about anything I could do to make it better or even just help it in the meantime I would be really grateful! Boiled water and antiseptic cream don’t seem to be helping and it’s just getting worse x

OP posts:
AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 31/12/2022 18:20

Are you able to show it to a pharmacist? They might be able to suggest things to do while you wait for a doctor appointment. Hope it heals soon for you.

lipstickwoman · 31/12/2022 18:21

OP what's the name of the cream you're using?

OhBitchPeas · 31/12/2022 18:29

Is the hard lump still there within it all? It was a fixed lump wasn't it?

Original poster
youaretheonethingonmymind · 31/12/2022 18:34

OhBitchPeas · 31/12/2022 18:29

Is the hard lump still there within it all? It was a fixed lump wasn't it?

Sorry I think that might be someone else, there wasn’t a lump there it just started as psoriasis x

OP posts:
OhBitchPeas · 31/12/2022 18:35

Oh fair enough!

two posters with similar issue!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/12/2022 18:35

As I said on your other thread you really need medical advice as it's getting worse.

Original poster
youaretheonethingonmymind · 31/12/2022 18:35

lipstickwoman · 31/12/2022 18:21

OP what's the name of the cream you're using?

Oh that’s a good question, I actually can’t remember off the top of my head and I’m in the car right now but I’ll check once I get home! I want to say either savalon or germolene but I actually can’t remember, I got it from the medication/pharmacy section in boots! x

OP posts:
Original poster
youaretheonethingonmymind · 31/12/2022 18:37

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/12/2022 18:35

As I said on your other thread you really need medical advice as it's getting worse.

Oh I’m so sorry I didn’t even see your reply I must have just crossposted! I’ll go read it thanks x

OP posts:
funinthesun19 · 31/12/2022 18:37

My DS had something like this when the dry skin behind his ear became cracked and infected. It was weeping and itchy/sore. The GP gave him some Fusidic Acid and some anti biotic medicine. It cleared it right up.

35965a · 31/12/2022 18:38

I think you should try 111 if it’s getting worse

MuhMuh · 31/12/2022 18:39

Yea I’d get an OOH appointment for antibiotics. Probably needs it at this stage.

Original poster
youaretheonethingonmymind · 31/12/2022 18:39

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 31/12/2022 18:20

Are you able to show it to a pharmacist? They might be able to suggest things to do while you wait for a doctor appointment. Hope it heals soon for you.

Yeah I showed them it and she was like oh that definitely needs to be seen by the GP, they said to keep it clean and antiseptic won’t harm it but also won’t take it away if it’s not going itself already, they just said to look out for more serious signs and obviously get help sooner if that’s the case but just go to the GP when it reopens. Typical that this would have to happen on a weekend/bank holidays! x

OP posts:
Montague22 · 31/12/2022 18:41

Yes definitely get medical advice.
But what I would do:
Do you have any fucidin on the house? It’s prescribed for skin infections but I always hang on to it (shouldn’t keep using officially but have been told it’s fine).
Brulidine in the yellow tube from Amazon is really good, I like more than Savlon.
If you have any fungal cream I’d wack some of that one too.

Just4ThisThread · 31/12/2022 18:43

It looks similar to what I had at the base of my scull, if there’s no smell with the yellow gunk I’d suggest Inverse Psoriasis. A steroid cream cleared it up relatively quickly but there’s a risk of it coming back.
If it smells it’s likely a fungal infection, so will need a different treatment.
I’m not sure where you are but the pharmacist was able to prescribe the steroid cream under Minor Ailments, is there somewhere near you who could do the same?

lipstickwoman · 31/12/2022 18:44

I asked because I also hoped you were using Fucidin cream. Most skin infections are caused by Staph Aureus (and that's looks like it is) and they'd prescribe fucidin for it. Doc may add an oral antibiotic too.

ladywithnomanors · 31/12/2022 18:47

Some pharmacies have pharmacists that can prescribe antibiotics etc. It may be worth seeing if there is one in you area until you can see a GP.

Rhondaa · 31/12/2022 18:48

Have you checked your temp? You need seeing asap not after the bh it looks infected and may get worse.
Ring 111 say you have a wet discharging lesion and need to see at least a nurse for antibiotics. In the meantime I'd stop putting cream on it and try to keep it clean and dry.

blondieminx · 31/12/2022 18:51

Def ring 111. Explain you’ve self managed and seen pharmacist already but it is getting worse not resolving and as it feels really hot you’re worried it’s infected. YANBU to seek proper medical help at this point and gosh it looks sore.

Ilikewinter · 31/12/2022 18:53

Ooh thats looks sore OP. I really dont understand why Pharmacists arent given the authority to prescibe for minor conditions...... the pharmacist knows you need cream / antibiotics and if they were allowed, could have prescribed them for you today. You start treatment quicker and it saves a GP appointment. Win win.

aintnothinbutagstring · 31/12/2022 19:01

Canesten 1% cream might help - I'm sure its available over the counter. But agree with other posters - keep it as dry as possible - tie back any hair. To me it looks like wet eczema and I'd have thought a few days of using a steroid cream might calm the inflammation. Deffo book in to see a doctor though.

Pootle40 · 31/12/2022 19:06

Inverse psoriasis.

I get it under my breasts and can be very painful and be wet and ooze like this as well as skin splitting. I actually have my own UV machine as it's the only thing which clears it for me and I would personally avoid steroids which a GP will no doubt prescribe. I would use something simple like a goat milk moisturiser and eat as healthy as possible.

BrummiMummi · 31/12/2022 19:10

I had this - layer it in Sudocrem in the short term as it will dry it out and help to heal it. I would though phone 111 and try to get an out of hours appointment as if it’s infected you really don’t want to leave it until the doctors opens. It looks like mine and it was actually eczema (I thought psoriasis as well) once it is on the way to healing try alternating Sudocrem and Dermalex - good luck and hope it clears soon

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