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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
fairycupcakes · 14/06/2023 23:38

My concern is you’ve mentioned cold/flu like symptoms… could be a coincidence or could be related. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Can you call 111 tonight or get to out of hours GP or A&E? Hoping it’s nothing but please get checked x

Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 14/06/2023 23:41

Thanks for everyone’s advice. I’m not sure if it’s related but I’ve been pooing blood with clots for the last two days. I have IBD so put it down to that but now not sure if that’s related

OP posts:
rhubarbcrumbleyum · 14/06/2023 23:42

Please go and get checked.

Alba82 · 14/06/2023 23:43

It could be a spider bite if not a tic...ethier way I'd be getting that seen to at A&E tonight, especially if you're feeling unwell

eandz13 · 14/06/2023 23:45

It does look like a spider bite and it does need looking at. If you genuinely feel unwell have it looked at tonight please!

Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 14/06/2023 23:46

So I called 111 and they said a clinician will call me within 6 hours or I should go to the hospital within 6 hours. The issue is I live in the middle of nowhere, my partner drives but my toddler is asleep and we have an appointment for his autism assessment at 10am which I absolutely can’t miss!

OP posts:
MumblesParty · 14/06/2023 23:48

There’s no way I’d lose a nights sleep in A&E for that. GP surgery nurse practitioner in the morning.

kissthegirlshesnotbehindthedoor · 14/06/2023 23:48

Slow down, people!

The black discoloured flesh radiating away from the bite is a tattoo! Not gangrene!

With regards to the actual bite, have a chemist look at it tomorrow or GP appointment in conjunction with the bottom issues.

Bluebirds1987 · 14/06/2023 23:49

Get a taxi to the hospital to be seen. Go now. Then you can see how serious they think it is, maybe get antibiotics, and be home for the morning. If you're unwell it could easily turn to sepsis and the autism assessment, although really important, can be rearranged. If this gets worse you could be in serious trouble.

ImpromptuGathering · 14/06/2023 23:50

What the heck are people saying is a tick? There's a hole and a faded grey/black tattoo, no?

OP could you mark up on your picture what is the tattoo?

Monster80 · 14/06/2023 23:50

Insect bite based cellulitis- you need antibiotics urgently.

Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 14/06/2023 23:51

@ImpromptuGathering does this work better? I’ve cropped to just the wound

OP posts:
JeandeServiette · 14/06/2023 23:52

Bitworriedtbh · 14/06/2023 23:46

So I called 111 and they said a clinician will call me within 6 hours or I should go to the hospital within 6 hours. The issue is I live in the middle of nowhere, my partner drives but my toddler is asleep and we have an appointment for his autism assessment at 10am which I absolutely can’t miss!

We'll go straight after the assessment appointment, while you're in town and your DP is in hand. Do you have a walk in centre?

JeandeServiette · 14/06/2023 23:53

Well^

fairycupcakes · 14/06/2023 23:54

Oh OP please jump in a taxi to A&E so that DH and toddler can stay home it really doesn’t look good and in conjunction with your other symptoms I really think it warrants the urgent trip tonight.

ImpromptuGathering · 14/06/2023 23:54

I think everyone is reacting in panic because they thing the black is bruising or infection. Is all the black/grey on your leg the tattoo?

If so, I would be much less worried and just go to a pharmacist or GP. If any of the black or grey is from the bite, then I would want a doctor to see it within 12 hours if it were me!

eandz13 · 14/06/2023 23:55

Yeah it really does need to be seen. Looks like an eschar(sp?) wound, I think they need to take out the scab for it to heal.

Tilllly · 15/06/2023 00:01

If you felt well, I'd say leave it till morning
But feeling unwell, plus the bloody stools - I would get DH to drop you at A&E. Get a taxi home and if you're not back in time, he can take your son to his appointment

Whatever that is, is going deeper into your skin, not out, from the looks of it. I wouldn't leave it festering another 12 hours

chesd · 15/06/2023 00:03

I wouldn't be that concerned with the wound itself however your other symptoms would make me think I needed to be checked out.

JarOfRocks · 15/06/2023 00:04

You need to answer the question about whether all of the black marks are tattoo or not. Then people can modify their answers accordingly. It's impossible to tell what is discoloured skin and what is light/faded tattoo.

BaroldBalonz · 15/06/2023 00:04

I'll have a guess at a horsefly bite developing into cellulitis - the buggers have got me twice on the leg and caused it - once it was two weeks after the bite that infection set in. They don't bite like a normal insect, they cut a little hole in the skin, that's why they allow infection in.

Draw around any hot and/or red area around it, and see if it is getting bigger.

If I'm right you'll need antibiotics, and rather bizarrely a hot hair dryer can relieve the itching and 'fire'.

Original poster
Bitworriedtbh · 15/06/2023 00:05

@JarOfRocks i cropped the photo to show the wound, as the black shading around it is the tattoo

OP posts:
JarOfRocks · 15/06/2023 00:06

In that case, if none of your skin is turning black, I don't think you need to panic. I hope your son's assessment goes smoothly, and I would go straight to hospital after that.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/06/2023 00:11

Just get it seen first thing. It's not enough of an accident or an emergency to wait hours at the hospital for.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/06/2023 00:12

**tonight,but it definitely needs seeing first thing tomorrow.