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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you go to A&E with this?

37 replies

YouFilthyAnimal · 15/05/2023 16:05

DD is 12 and had her ears pierced 6 weeks ago
One of them has become infected and basically the entire crystal on her stud has disappeared into her earlobe
Theres a lot of pus and some blood coming out and I can’t loosen it at all because I can’t get a grip on the front of it
I can get her in the GP in the morning but I can’t see that a GP will actually be able to get it out

Should I wait till the morning or would you take her to A&E?

OP posts:
ChickpeaPie · 15/05/2023 16:05

Minor injuries?

ChickpeaPie · 15/05/2023 16:06

Or ring 111 because that’s what it’s there for?

Leftoverssandwich · 15/05/2023 16:06

Do you have minor injuries? It doesn’t sound like an A&E job, painful though it might be for her.

If not minor injuries, then I bet the GP tomorrow will give it a good go. I had one manage to get some glass out of the sole of my foot once. He took it as a personal challenge. If they can’t, they’ll refer you on appropriately.

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 15/05/2023 16:07

Perfect minor injuries unit job, if you have one. If not I'd call the GP this evening to see if they can deal with it tomorrow and decide from there.

OhBanana · 15/05/2023 16:07

Do you have a minor injury unit near you? This isn’t accident nor emergency really but does need addressing if embedded and possible needs antibiotics. Call 111, they will be able to direct you (and get an appt for you) to your nearest appropriate care.

Wishiwasatailor · 15/05/2023 16:09

used to see this a lot in MIU totally appropriate. GP won’t see this

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/05/2023 16:09

I THINK the advice is it to leave it in but treat the swelling but not 100%. I would bathe with salt water and use some TCP and see if there's any improvement over night and then ring 111 tomorrow for advice. Don't attempt to remove it.

CrackersCheeseAndWinePlease · 15/05/2023 16:10

100% minor injuries, I had the same thing with my dd when she was younger

WhatAmIDoingWrong123 · 15/05/2023 16:11

Get it seen asap at minor injuries/walk in, don’t mess with it yourself. It’s risking infection etc the longer it stays unaddressed.

Original poster
YouFilthyAnimal · 15/05/2023 16:15

Ah I didn’t even think of a minor injuries, I’m not sure if there is one local but I drive so I will see if I can find one

I think it is already infected by the amount of green coming out of it, and with her being diabetic I’d rather get this sorted asap

Thank you all for the advice, I really wasn’t sure what to do at all!

OP posts:
thehoundschicken · 15/05/2023 16:20

This happened to my daughter. We have kids a and e so took her there and they got it out. Helps if you have a children's hospital.

Bananah · 15/05/2023 16:54

Did you get it pierced with a gun? Not only is it more likely to end up in this state, but also the jewellery they use is too short to accommodate swelling. If you go to a good body piercer they will get the earring out, they see this sort of stuff all the time. And they could maybe replace it with a longer stud so she doesn’t lose the hole.

Original poster
YouFilthyAnimal · 16/05/2023 08:51

So we went o minor injuries who couldn’t get it out and sent her round to A&E who also couldn’t get it out
We’ve been referred to ENT but no idea how long the referral will actually take, and until then we’ve just got to leave it
😳

OP posts:
Bananah · 16/05/2023 09:18

That’s dreadful! Surely it’s an emergency? I’d like to repeat the suggestion of calling a reputable body piercer, they do stuff like this all the time and they have the knack of getting earrings out.

Original poster
YouFilthyAnimal · 16/05/2023 09:42

I know, I actually can’t believe they’ve just left it in!!
I hadn’t seen that suggestion before we went to hospital yesterday, it is definitely worth a try, I will try to find one today

OP posts:
GayPareeee · 16/05/2023 09:57

DD has this and in the end the A&E Dr gave her the forceps and she took it out herself. I think she was able to dig around more than they could. They were using the long tweezer type forceps

have they given antibiotics/wind care in the meanwhile given her diabetes? if not I’d go to the GP for that line while you wait for ENT

Alargeoneplease89 · 16/05/2023 10:10

Honestly shocked they have left it in! Please keep an eye out for symptoms of sepsis.
Have they given her any antibiotics while she waits?

Is there another A&E nearby to get a second opinion

Nursemumma92 · 16/05/2023 10:22

ENT should pick the referral up and see her in their emergency clinic, this usually happens within a day or two, at least where I work. I'm hoping you got given antibiotics to cover her while you wait to be seen?

SpringNotSprung · 16/05/2023 10:50

An entirely optional and self inflicted injury arising from an appearance issue. It clearly needs to be dealt with but not on the NHS. This is an example of where the NHS should be able to levy a charge.

Having said that, I am very sorry for your dd and the fact she is hurting.

ChiaraRimini · 16/05/2023 10:56

Oh no that's grim, your poor DD.
I had to remove a butterfly from the back of DDs ear when it had got trapped inside . Pushed firmly from the front and used a pair of tweezers to grab it when it re-appeared.
I would have another go at home, as she may be more relaxed? wear gloves and sterilise tweezers first..

Georgeandzippyzoo · 16/05/2023 10:57

SpringNotSprung · 16/05/2023 10:50

An entirely optional and self inflicted injury arising from an appearance issue. It clearly needs to be dealt with but not on the NHS. This is an example of where the NHS should be able to levy a charge.

Having said that, I am very sorry for your dd and the fact she is hurting.

"An entirely optional and self inflicted injury"

That could be said for the many cases seen in A&E. Most things happen because we've chosen to do something that we didn't 'need' to do, but chose to do!

toooldtobeamum · 16/05/2023 11:01

Ouch! Definitely try a body piercer, although if it's not their work they may be hesitant to touch it.

I had my nose pierced as a teen and they did it with a gun and put the butterfly back on. Resulted in me and my Dad and 2 pairs of pliers trying to get it undone and out as it was healing over the stud. 😄

Leftoverssandwich · 16/05/2023 11:14

SpringNotSprung · 16/05/2023 10:50

An entirely optional and self inflicted injury arising from an appearance issue. It clearly needs to be dealt with but not on the NHS. This is an example of where the NHS should be able to levy a charge.

Having said that, I am very sorry for your dd and the fact she is hurting.

Would you say that if someone broke their leg while out on a hike?

SpringNotSprung · 16/05/2023 11:18

@Leftoverssandwich no, but hiking has associated physical health benefits and helps put people in touch with nature enhancing their MH too. What are the benefits of ear piercings except for appearance related?

Leftoverssandwich · 16/05/2023 11:23

SpringNotSprung · 16/05/2023 11:18

@Leftoverssandwich no, but hiking has associated physical health benefits and helps put people in touch with nature enhancing their MH too. What are the benefits of ear piercings except for appearance related?

Possibly missing my point. Almost everything we do is optional. Where do you draw the line here on virtue? How about someone walking to the corner shop breaking their leg? Is that OK if they were off to buy fruit but not chocolate?

Entirely possible that someone getting their ears pierced derives mental health benefits from the enjoyment of being able to express their personality through earrings.