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Original poster

Crater-like wound on my leg turning black - what the hell is this (see pic)

368 replies

Bitworriedtbh · 14/06/2023 23:13

Just as the title suggests! I got bitten last week, have no idea by what but it was itchy and the first day my leg was swollen and quite hard. Well now it’s turned into a small crater-like wound that feels really deep. It looks like a dark brown/black scab on it but I’ve tried lifting it a little and it’s like stuck in my leg, it looks hard but I’m sure it’s not actually a scab. When I tried to lift it (unsuccessfully) the skin around the wound peeled off. I have never had a bite end up like this! Any thoughts on what this is and whether it’s something that’ll heal on its own? Don’t want to bother the GP if it’s nothing!

Excuse the hairy legs and tattoo :D

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 15/06/2023 17:26

You need minor injuries or A&E , the necrotic tissue ,if that is what it is , needs removing before it can start to heal .

Emotionalsupportviper · 15/06/2023 17:29

Floralnomad · 15/06/2023 16:31

If it’s necrosis then it needs debriding , it won’t just heal it’s already dead .

This.

Leaving necrotic tissue in situ just leads to further necrosis.

Emotionalsupportviper · 15/06/2023 17:31

viques · 15/06/2023 17:19

I don’t think antibiotics can bring dead ( necrotic) tissue back to life.

You are correct @Viques.

When it's gone, it's gone - and it damages other tissue around it.

Emotionalsupportviper · 15/06/2023 17:31

(By gone, I mean dead/ necrotic - not excised/ removed.)

Rtc12 · 15/06/2023 17:32

I would book a dr app for the rectal bleeding as that's not right. Hope you get the antibiotics soon

littlejo67 · 15/06/2023 17:32

I would have dug off the scab and given it a good clean and put a plaster on it. Wouldn't have worried me at all.

Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 15/06/2023 17:35

littlejo67 · 15/06/2023 17:32

I would have dug off the scab and given it a good clean and put a plaster on it. Wouldn't have worried me at all.

I tried and it is impossible to remove, it doesn’t feel like a scab it feels like the inside of my leg. It doesn’t lift at all

OP posts:
Gardendad · 15/06/2023 17:36

I think I would go to the hosital or an out of hours pharmacy for antibiotics. You really should be on them now.

Floralnomad · 15/06/2023 17:37

littlejo67 · 15/06/2023 17:32

I would have dug off the scab and given it a good clean and put a plaster on it. Wouldn't have worried me at all.

Well if the GP is right and it is a necrotic ulcer that wouldn’t help at all , it would make it worse .

PitYacker · 15/06/2023 17:38

littlejo67 · 15/06/2023 17:32

I would have dug off the scab and given it a good clean and put a plaster on it. Wouldn't have worried me at all.

Good job she didn't listen to you then

Feraldogmum · 15/06/2023 17:45

I am currently taking antibiotics for cellulitis,third time had it. First time it did go away but not second time and I was under the impression that I was just having an allergic reaction to the fly that bit me. Every time it’s been the same type of bloody fly. My gp back on times 2 and now 3, put me on antibiotics and said if I felt sick,developed a temperature and rash spread ,I was to go immediately to A & E( this is septicaemia).
Skin goes hard and red all around bite. Have you actually spoken to dr because I’m fairly sure any gp would want to see this personally and you’re now giving the excuse of pharmacy being shut. Suggest you don’t dick about if this post is real and find an open chemist.

Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 15/06/2023 17:47

Feraldogmum · 15/06/2023 17:45

I am currently taking antibiotics for cellulitis,third time had it. First time it did go away but not second time and I was under the impression that I was just having an allergic reaction to the fly that bit me. Every time it’s been the same type of bloody fly. My gp back on times 2 and now 3, put me on antibiotics and said if I felt sick,developed a temperature and rash spread ,I was to go immediately to A & E( this is septicaemia).
Skin goes hard and red all around bite. Have you actually spoken to dr because I’m fairly sure any gp would want to see this personally and you’re now giving the excuse of pharmacy being shut. Suggest you don’t dick about if this post is real and find an open chemist.

The post is clearly real as I provided photos in which you can also see my tattoo, lol. And not sure how I’m dicking about when the doctor could only give me a phone appointment if same day - how can I help that? I have also called 111 and they cannot locate the prescription so can’t even send it over to another chemist. What’s the point in commenting if you’re just going to insult me

OP posts:
MeridianB · 15/06/2023 17:49

I'm stunned at how casual your doctor is. Hospital now and if you need IV antibiotics, they do that straight away - much higher dose straight into your bloodstream. No time to be messing around.

JeandeServiette · 15/06/2023 17:49

Don't be gouging it about! Shock

Gardendad · 15/06/2023 17:50

MeridianB · 15/06/2023 17:49

I'm stunned at how casual your doctor is. Hospital now and if you need IV antibiotics, they do that straight away - much higher dose straight into your bloodstream. No time to be messing around.

Me too. A friend had cellulitis. Touch and go... on a drip IV antibiotics for days in hospital. Dont think OP realises how fast infection can travel.

OldieButBaddie · 15/06/2023 17:51

MeridianB · 15/06/2023 17:49

I'm stunned at how casual your doctor is. Hospital now and if you need IV antibiotics, they do that straight away - much higher dose straight into your bloodstream. No time to be messing around.

^This!

Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 15/06/2023 17:53

Gardendad · 15/06/2023 17:50

Me too. A friend had cellulitis. Touch and go... on a drip IV antibiotics for days in hospital. Dont think OP realises how fast infection can travel.

Show quote history

The thing is I called 111 this evening about the antibiotics and after they said they can’t locate them I said well should I go to the hospital and they said well if your symptoms haven’t changed no because it’s accident and emergency and this isn’t an emergency so they’ll just send you home, they won’t override a doctor ???

OP posts:
time4anothername · 15/06/2023 17:56

Are you under an IBD team with access to an IBD nurse? You need to get this ruled out as you have IBD https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pyoderma-gangrenosum/ Do chase to be treated for this and your flare. You are not bothering anyone and you will need less treatment the sooner you are seen x

nhs.uk

Pyoderma gangrenosum

Read about pyoderma gangrenosum, a rare skin condition that causes painful ulcers. It's usually treatable but may take some time to heal and could leave some scarring.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pyoderma-gangrenosum

Emotionalsupportviper · 15/06/2023 17:58

Bitworriedtbh · 15/06/2023 17:53

The thing is I called 111 this evening about the antibiotics and after they said they can’t locate them I said well should I go to the hospital and they said well if your symptoms haven’t changed no because it’s accident and emergency and this isn’t an emergency so they’ll just send you home, they won’t override a doctor ???

Show quote history

`the doctor hasn't SEEN it.

Go to A&E

Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 15/06/2023 17:58

time4anothername · 15/06/2023 17:56

Are you under an IBD team with access to an IBD nurse? You need to get this ruled out as you have IBD https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pyoderma-gangrenosum/ Do chase to be treated for this and your flare. You are not bothering anyone and you will need less treatment the sooner you are seen x

No they discharged me years ago :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 15/06/2023 17:58

@Emotionalsupportviper i sent them the picture

OP posts:
MeridianB · 15/06/2023 18:01

Bitworriedtbh · 15/06/2023 17:53

The thing is I called 111 this evening about the antibiotics and after they said they can’t locate them I said well should I go to the hospital and they said well if your symptoms haven’t changed no because it’s accident and emergency and this isn’t an emergency so they’ll just send you home, they won’t override a doctor ???

Show quote history

I don't rate 111, I'm afraid, Why risk waiting? Your tissue is blackening with infection/lack of O2. Your GP described it as 'necrotic' which means dead!

If you have cellulitis is very serious and should be treated urgently. It can kill if left untreated.

Emotionalsupportviper · 15/06/2023 18:02

What @Meridian said - the Dr says it is "necrotic`' - it heeds to be cleaned out. Frankly I'm shocked that your GP didn't suggest you going to A&E him/herself.

SimonsCow · 15/06/2023 18:12

OP 111 website do an emergency pharmacy prescription thing

ArnoldBee · 15/06/2023 18:15

Have you got a walk in centre you could go to. I know the issues with getting appts but sometimes you just got to do what you need to.