To go to A&E

[elmo89]

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?

Using a service for its intended purpose, fine.

Taking the piss out of a very underfunded, overworked service that we're extremely privileged to have because "we're going on holiday soon so why should we wait like everybody else?", not ok.

I would go back to the GP personally, though I completely empathise with your worry and I think if I were in your shoes I would feel the same desperation to consider an A&E trip. You just want answers as to what's happened, and it feels like you need to make a drastic move in order to get those answers because it appears your GP is doing nothing.
Maybe re-emphasise your worries with your GP if you can.
I'm also sorry that some people feel they need to put across their opinions so rudely to you.
I hope you get to the bottom of it soon OP

…because people aren’t medically trained and are worried and can’t see a GP. blame the system.

@Albatross674 I do agree with that. Some people go in because they've actually been unable to get an appointment with their GP for months when they've really really needed one. I don't blame them at all for last resorting it!

Not an a&e matter but I would ask your gp if they can fast track the referral on the basis of it getting bigger and being near his eye. Otherwise private if you can afford it.

Whilst waiting for your dermatology appointment, I'd try putting hot wet flannels against it, as hot as he can stand. In case it's just a boil. I had a boil once, it was sore to touch. As soon as I put a hot wet flannel against it, it immediately popped and drained. Was so satisfying.

If you do this & it does indeed drain, then I'd use some salt water or tea tree oil in water to wipe over the wound to help avoid infection.

This is quite serious. Surgical removal of an eyelid cyst can lead to deformation of the eyelid, loss of eyelashes or even loss of sensation if they cut a nerve. The GP won’t touch it and neither will A&E, you need to be referred to see a specialist surgeon.

It's not an A&E matter but I would either kick up a huge fuss with the GP tomorrow or just book a private appointment

Thanks for the replies everyone. Although some people have come across quite rude and have made me feel horrendous for asking a question,k I will say I am not one to abuse the system, I have 2 children aged 6 and 2 and in those years I have resorted to a&e once when my youngest caught covid at a week old and had rapid breathing (was admitted for the night with high temp and to monitor breathing as so small and new). This is why I have already been to the GP 3 times.

If I was one to abuse the system or jump the gun I would have went straight to a&e when I first seen it but this is not me. I am just a little worried for my 6 year old and its just a mother’s instinct to want to help.

I was unsure if maybe if was a cyst a&e would be able to drain it in the meantime while waiting for it to be seen/removed as GPs don’t seem to be offering to do this.

But yes I appreciate replies and will look into a walk in centre! (Wasn’t actually aware of these as like I say we are the type to usually ride it out at home and don’t run to a&e with every minor ailment).

Back to Gp or try a walk in minor injuries clinic https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/other-services/Minor%20injuries%20unit/LocationSearch/551

Would only attend a&e if it’s an emergency

Not a&e and it wouldn't hurry up the referral...back to gp and ask them to chase referral

I had a chalazion on my eye lid looked very similar

id try an optician

If you've been referred, ask paediatric dermatology for an email address, send them a photo and description of growth, then ask if you can be fitted in soon. They should be able to let you know roughly how long it will be and then you know it's been directly prioritised (whether you are seen soon or not).

Hi. I'm a GP. I'd refer you in today to see paeds (likely needs an incision and drainage if it's an infected cyst) The paeds doctors may have surgical paeds on site or may have to transfer. Wait for derm in our area is looonng (2 years or so) Definitely needs seeing. Can't tell what it is from photo but likely cytoc in nature. Hope it gets sorted OP.

Can you book him an appointment with a private dermatologist? I had one last year, £200, and left with a diagnosis, a letter to my gp with a list of prescriptions I needed and a plan to manage my symptoms. Absolute bargain in my opinion after 2 years of trips to the gp.

Unless it gets infected, affects vision, bleeding a lot or your DS becomes unwell, it is not an A&E matter. They will just tell you to wait for your dermatology appointment. I'd either go back to GP, mention this has been going on for six weeks and that you are flying soon. Or go to a walk in centre. If it needs draining, they will be able to do that.

If it is still there when you fly, make sure you let travel insurance know and get a fit to travel letter from doctor. The latter will probably cost £20 - 30 (for the doctor to sign their name and rubber stamp a piece of paper) But it is better than travel insurance refusing to pay up should you need medical treatment abroad.

Phone the appointment line at the hospital he has been referred to, they will be able to give you an idea of the wait.

if that doesn’t help then get in touch with the department and speak to the secretary to ask them for an update.

I wouldn't go to A&E as has been said realistically they won't do anything unless it's an immediate issue. I would phone the GP again today as you say its got worse, show photos from a few weeks back to demonstrate this and explain its now causing notable pain and discomfort. They should then refer to paeds to drain it as at this point it needs something doing to relieve the pain as well as investigating.

Walk in centres are very good, or minor injuries units. If you can't find one, hopefully your GPs admin staff will know of one.

Sometimes you need a appt time and have to ring first.

Try the appointment coordinator of dermatology at the hospital he's been referred to.I was given a gynae appointment which was 4 months away.I felt I needed seeing sooner due to pain and she found a suitable appointment for one month later.Its worth an ask.

Call the dermatology appointments line to see what’s happened with your referral. If the wait is too long, you can always ask to be referred to another hospital if it has a shorter wait time.