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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to A&E

72 replies

elmo89 · 14/06/2023 22:59

Ds started with a small lump under his eyebrow a month and a half ago. GP thinks its a cyst and has prescribed 3 different antibiotic in the past 6 weeks and it has just grown larger and Ds is complaining that it is sore to touch and stings a bit when he is just going about his normal day. Would I be unreasonable to take him to A&E to be checked? reasons for going would be
1)Doctors think its a cyst but not 100% conclusive and no way of knowing
2)it is right above his eye and im scared its going to get bigger and affect his vision?
3)we are due to fly in 2 weeks and I’m scared of anything happening to it while we are there?

To go to A&E
To go to A&E
OP posts:
Mirabai · 14/06/2023 23:23

If it’s soft, squishy, round, with a regular edge then it’s most likely a cyst. ABs tend not to permeate the capsule which is why they haven’t helped.

Does your GP surgery have a GP qualified to do minor surgical stuff? They can drain it for you. You can also get that done at a minor injury unit.

Ilovetea42 · 14/06/2023 23:25

I'd go back to the gp if it's got worse since they made the referral to dermatology. I agree it's not a job for a and e unless it suddenly becomes very painful/ vision is affected/ starts bleeding profusely or ds becomes otherwise very unwell. Ask the gp for fitness to fly or if they can chase up your referral.

Findingmypurposeinlife · 14/06/2023 23:29

It's understandable you are worried. Could it be this maybe? Although your little one has it above the eyelid, other similar photos on the web did look similar (Also gives helpful guide on how to treat)

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/content/chalazion-meibomian-cyst#:~:text=A%20chalazion%20is%20a%20firm,resolve%20if%20given%20enough%20time.

Chalazion (meibomian cyst) | Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/content/chalazion-meibomian-cyst#:~:text=A%20chalazion%20is%20a%20firm,resolve%20if%20given%20enough%20time.

StrugglingWeight · 14/06/2023 23:38

It looks like a cyst. Could probably do with draining but this is not an A&E job unless he is feverish or he's having changes in his vision (not just getting in the way)

A&E is not a fast track service to jump waiting lists. Hes had an urgent referral to the appropriate speciality. If it's worsening then you need to go back to his GP

continentallentil · 14/06/2023 23:43

I would pay to see a Derm privately. You can probably see someone in the next week if you ring around. It will cost a couple hundred but they should get it sorted - he probably needs different anti-bs. IME Gps aren’t great with Derm and I doubt A&E will be any better.

AngelAurora · 14/06/2023 23:43

YABU, you have already seen the GP, this is not an Accident or Emergency.

Hoppingmad231 · 14/06/2023 23:44

I'd take him to a and e, it's been on going for a while now and whatever gp is given clearly isn't working.

fairycupcakes · 14/06/2023 23:45

Oh your poor DS :( Perhaps not A&E but I can totally appreciate your concern. Why don’t you try a walk-in/minor injuries type clinic if you’re not happy with what your GP has said? Or call the practice and ask how long your referral to the dermatologist is? “Urgent” is usually within a 2 week time frame if I’m not mistaken. Good luck, hope you’re little one is ok x

AngelAurora · 14/06/2023 23:45

VerticalSausages · 14/06/2023 23:03

But if the GP is refusing to refer, I would take to A&E. Surprised they haven’t referred already after this long and 3 different antibiotics.

This is not an Accident or Emergency, we are busy enough, Walk in centre or back to GP

Hoppingmad231 · 14/06/2023 23:48

@AngelAurora we are busy enough? Chances are it won't be your a&e so no need to worry yourself!

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 14/06/2023 23:49

Your son is 6.

He has a giant lump close to his eye that has been seen and is not improving.

I would consider a and e. I certainly would be shouting from the rooftops at the doctors during the day.

3 different antibiotics and not improving? I'd assume the doctor you're seeing doesn't know what they're doing in this case.

It doesn't look right does it?

We have 3 children and have done a and e twice in all those years, so not one to rush down there for nothing... but he's 6 and it's near his eye.

That's my personal opinion.

eandz13 · 14/06/2023 23:50

Hoppingmad231 · 14/06/2023 23:48

@AngelAurora we are busy enough? Chances are it won't be your a&e so no need to worry yourself!

All A&E's are busy because people turn up with things that are neither accident nor emergency.

MumblesParty · 14/06/2023 23:53

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 14/06/2023 23:49

Your son is 6.

He has a giant lump close to his eye that has been seen and is not improving.

I would consider a and e. I certainly would be shouting from the rooftops at the doctors during the day.

3 different antibiotics and not improving? I'd assume the doctor you're seeing doesn't know what they're doing in this case.

It doesn't look right does it?

We have 3 children and have done a and e twice in all those years, so not one to rush down there for nothing... but he's 6 and it's near his eye.

That's my personal opinion.

GP has sent an urgent referral to dermatology. What do you think a junior doctor on a night shift in A&E is going to do?

JeandeServiette · 14/06/2023 23:55

I'm not an HCP but if it was one of mine, I'd wait for dermatology unless his vision starts to be affected or he develops systemic symptoms, in which case walk-in centre/A&E.

CrystalTits · 14/06/2023 23:55

Good grief 🤦🏼‍♀️ No wonder the NHS is in meltdown.

TomatoSandwiches · 14/06/2023 23:55

A&E won't do anything since you already have a referral and this is neither an accident nor emergency.
You can pay for a private dermatologist appointment though.
A&E isn't a customer service department designed to deal with unsatisfactory time frames unfortunately.

Hugasauras · 14/06/2023 23:56

I wouldn't go to A&E, no. I would call the doctor tomorrow, explain that it's getting worse and is now painful and he needs to be seen as a matter of urgency.

StrugglingWeight · 14/06/2023 23:58

If its a cyst antibiotics without drainage won't do very much. Firstly they tend to be inflamed nor actually infected, and secondly the antibiotics won't penetrate the sac

It just needs a quick drainage, most GPS or minor injuries can do this, or the GP should be able to reger to someone who can

Generally you would wait for the inflamation/infection to settle anyway before removing a cyst as it can leave a worse scar and be harder to remove

Alloveragain3 · 14/06/2023 23:58

No way should you go to a&e. Even if you did, surely they'd take half a day to see him and just say the same as your GP?

StrugglingWeight · 14/06/2023 23:59

A&E will give more antibiotics and nake an urgent referral to derm. Or tell you to see your GP to make an urgent referral to derm

ScrambledSmegs · 14/06/2023 23:59

It looks like a dermoid cyst. DC2 had one. If it doesn't go on it's own they will likely want to operate to remove it. Because of where it's located (eye area) I'd be surprised if dermatology will touch it, DC2's was due to be removed by a paediatric cosmetic surgeon but it disappeared overnight.

As you say it's growing fast they may well make him a priority as they won't want to have it affect his sight, for example.

Hoppingmad231 · 14/06/2023 23:59

@eandz13 we pay our taxes for these services its down to the government to sort it out not for us to suffer, not all a&es are busy my local children's one is a 2/3 hour wait max, shocking yes I used a service I pay for last week 😱

jellyminelli · 15/06/2023 00:00

"I would consider a and e. I certainly would be shouting from the rooftops at the doctors during the day."

Fucking hell. Really? The lads got a cyst. They'll drain it, when his appointment comes round. Go private OP if you can't wait.

Dubaibutwhy · 15/06/2023 00:01

No please don't go to A&E. It looks like a cyst. It needs removing and this won't be done in A&E.

I would try calling the dermatology secretaries tomorrow. Or pay for a private consultation.

Mollymalone123 · 15/06/2023 00:04

I would ring your own gp in the morning and explain you’re worried about how much it has grown and could they chase the referral please?

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