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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do I need to go to hospital?

172 replies

Ohgodmylegmyleg · 04/08/2023 18:48

I’ve got an infected bite that’s not clearing from anti biotics in fact it’s spreading. Virtual GP app yesterday said looked like cellulitis gave me some antibiotics beginning with F. It’s been 48 hrs and it’s just getting bigger. I’ve made another virtual GP app but do I need to be seen in person at urgent care or anything?

really conscious because I know someone who had cellulitis that ended up septic on a drip In hospital

OP posts:
porridgeisbae · 04/08/2023 20:35

@ChrisPPancake Blimey.

I didn't mean that OP's thing is not serious- it definitely sounds potentially dodgy.

I didn't realise cellulitis got dangerous as often as people describe.

BigUpTheOxfordComma · 04/08/2023 20:37

Glad you're getting seen at the right place!

Hope all goes as quickly as possible.

You're very sensible.

Cellulitis can be a nasty bugger: I ended up on IV drip cycles for 4 days after a serious ear infection complicated matters (arrived at the GPRU with literally half my face and some of neck swollen up...looked like a wonky balloon). 🎈

Dymaxion · 04/08/2023 20:38

I would go, cellulitis isn't caused by a bite anyway is it?

It can be, basically any wound to the skin can allow certain common bacteria to get in and cause cellulitis.

ChrisPPancake · 04/08/2023 20:38

Tbf @porridgeisbae I didn't realise how bad it was either. I'd actually gone to the GP about something else entirely and decided to show her the wound as an afterthought - she was absolutely horrified!

billybear · 04/08/2023 20:50

i had a bad reaction to a bee sting few weeks ago,3 days later all arm and hand double in size high temp,in lot of pain with red rash started leaking clear liquid,filled in form on line 111 got a call back in 30 minutes, straight to out of hours doctor it was sat am .they looked at me sent paperwork to a and e i collected paperwork and was staight in special unit next to a and e called same day treatment unit, i was very ill, see by a doc blood tests etc,please get treatment

Jenasaurus · 04/08/2023 20:56

I have 2 perspectives on this. I work for South East Coast Ambulance, not sure if you are in Kent, Sussex or Surrey but 111 in this area would be covered by them. I am a little suprised they told you to go to Asda with this.

The other side is my DD had cellulitus when she was 5 and had to go to hospital on intravenous antibiotics for 3 days, She came back from a playdate with what looked like a black eye and swollen cheek, it turned out she had an infection in a tooth and it had turned nasty, because it was near her eye, she was blue lighted to East Surrey hospital, Cellulitus can be really serious, I hope you get it sorted.

Lessstressedhemum · 04/08/2023 20:57

Flucloxacillin is useless for cellulitis. You need Doxycycline. If that doesn't improve it within about 24 hours then you need iv antibiotics. Cellulitis is awful and can make you septic at the drop of a hat.

Starmer · 04/08/2023 21:02

@Lessstressedhemum flucloxacillin is 1st line antibiotic for cellulitis, as per NICE guidelines and BNF.

Sghi · 04/08/2023 21:04

Do any of your other joints hurt? I had a similar thing happen after a bug bite. It turned out that it wasn’t the initial bite but a nasty reaction to the antibiotics. I didn’t go get it checked for a couple of days and it spread to both wrists and ankles.

Luckily the consultant spoke to a colleague before pumping me with extra penicillin 😳.

Hope you feel better soon.

Centralperky · 04/08/2023 21:07

You are doing the right thing going to A&E OP - but it could be Skeeter Syndrome rather than infected. Very similar symptoms to cellulitis (huge red welts, very painful) but antibiotics don’t have an effect because it’s not actually infected. I have it and there’s not much you can do other than RICE and trying very hard to not get bitten!

Wrongsideofpennines · 04/08/2023 21:11

I'm glad you're getting seen tonight.

My husband had this. Went to the GP for a second lot of antibiotics and they sent him straight to A&E. He had surgery the next day to remove the abscess and he needed it to be packed and dressed multiple times a week for months.

Ariela · 04/08/2023 21:12

Starmer · 04/08/2023 21:02

@Lessstressedhemum flucloxacillin is 1st line antibiotic for cellulitis, as per NICE guidelines and BNF.

I agree always works for me, having been hospitalised for cellulitis for 10 days once, my GP has me down for repeat prescription so I only need to ask as soon as I get another insect bite that goes wonky and we can pick it up straight away.

MissHavershamReturns · 04/08/2023 21:15

Hope you are ok op

Fluffyaroundtheedges · 04/08/2023 21:15

I’m glad you’re going to urgent care cellulitis is bloody awful. I had it many years ago from a new pair of sandals rubbing and spent a week in hospital on a drip. It spread up the leg, I developed a fever and ended up with a massive black fluid filled blister, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone it was so painful. Wishing you all the best.

elliejjtiny · 04/08/2023 21:45

Hope you are getting seen now OP. My 15 year old has had cellulitis 3 times and it's always really hard to get him seen. Gp receptionist always send us to the pharmacy, even with his previous history.

MissCordeliaPreston · 04/08/2023 21:52

I got cellulitis from a manicure once. And yes, would have died if a colleague hadn't told me to see a doctor RIGHT AWAY. They told me that if I hadn't had treatment I'd have been dead within about 36 hours.

thaegumathteth · 04/08/2023 22:02

You've done the right thing going to a&e

lljkk · 04/08/2023 22:06

X fingers you have good update for us soon, OP. I hope the wait in A&E passes comfortably.

RoyalImpatience · 04/08/2023 22:09

Op wally hope you're OK and being seen too. I ve never heard of cellulitis till this thread.

ImNotCrazyIWasTested · 04/08/2023 22:16

MissCordeliaPreston · 04/08/2023 21:52

I got cellulitis from a manicure once. And yes, would have died if a colleague hadn't told me to see a doctor RIGHT AWAY. They told me that if I hadn't had treatment I'd have been dead within about 36 hours.

My DH got it from gardening with me when our middle child was 4 months old and I had just found out I was pregnant again. He was 24 hours away from death and still trying to convince me he was fine 🙄.

Doggymummar · 04/08/2023 22:24

🤕

Feministwoman · 04/08/2023 22:34

Ohgodmylegmyleg · 04/08/2023 18:48

I’ve got an infected bite that’s not clearing from anti biotics in fact it’s spreading. Virtual GP app yesterday said looked like cellulitis gave me some antibiotics beginning with F. It’s been 48 hrs and it’s just getting bigger. I’ve made another virtual GP app but do I need to be seen in person at urgent care or anything?

really conscious because I know someone who had cellulitis that ended up septic on a drip In hospital

I had the same, ended up in A&E with Cellulitis that developed into Sepsis. 5 days in hospital on an ab drip, 6 weeks on antibiotics at home, 6 months post Sepsis recovery.

Do what they say!

Best wishes x

Original poster
Ohgodmylegmyleg · 04/08/2023 22:53

They just sent me home to carry on with my antibiotics said infection can sometimes still grow within first 48 hrs and to give it another day as my vitals are grand.

thank you all for your concern it was heartwarming :)

OP posts:
Hollyppp · 04/08/2023 22:54

I had a spider bite on ankle it kept getting worse and worse. Very hot, went to a walk in GP clinic (London) and they gave me anti biotics immediately which cleared it up. It was early stage cellulitis

thaegumathteth · 05/08/2023 01:55

Ohgodmylegmyleg · 04/08/2023 22:53

They just sent me home to carry on with my antibiotics said infection can sometimes still grow within first 48 hrs and to give it another day as my vitals are grand.

thank you all for your concern it was heartwarming :)

Honestly OP tmro if it's still worsening go back