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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:
KateKateLee · 05/08/2023 21:30

If you think you have cellulitis get seen as soon as you can, urgent care or A&E. A few years back I got hospitalised for it as I needed IV antibiotics. I could feel the infection pulsing through my skin, it was horrible. If you do get IV antibiotics be prepared for horrendous thrush. I was away when I got it and couldn’t get any treatment. Good luck and I hope you are better soon.

Atsocta · 05/08/2023 22:15

YES DEFINITELY ASAP

caringcarer · 05/08/2023 22:41

Draw a pen line around it. Go to bed if it's worse in the morning go to A&Evans they will put an antibiotic drip into your ankle. I've had cellulitis from an insect bite before. Mine went bright shiny red up to my knee and I started shaking and felt freezing cold. Go to seek help if it can be very dangerous if left. Sometimes antibiotics can take at least 48 hours to start to work. You need the 500 dose with cellulitis 250 ones won't be strong enough. Did you get Fluoxcillon or something like that?

caringcarer · 05/08/2023 22:46

Swishswish26 · 04/08/2023 19:33

Flucloxacillin absolutely never works on my insect bites and I now always tell the GP I don’t want it prescribed ( I do seem to get bitten often!) You should always seek medical advice or go back to hospital if it is worsening or the area is getting larger.

It takes ages to work for me too. I ended up on a drip in hospital overnight and the whole of the next day. I have Clarithromycin 500mg twice a day for 2 weeks to really get rid of it. They are stronger and better in my opinion.

NYE2023 · 05/08/2023 22:49

Late to this but my daughter collapsed unconscious with septicaemia from an infected insect bite - ended up really poorly in hospital on IV antibiotics . The infected area was huge but not visible - so was only 10% visible . The First we knew there was an issue was when she was on the floor . Please get seen in person - it sounds like things could be heading in the wrong direction.

NYE2023 · 05/08/2023 22:51

Just seen your update - glad you got checked out and it’s receding .

porridgeisbae · 05/08/2023 23:11

Glad you're feeling a bit better OP xx

NickyT64 · 05/08/2023 23:14

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

Yes please go to hospital. A few years back I ignored a bite that was obviously infected (busy at work, thought it would get better on it’s own). Turned out I had cellulitis from an infected spider bite and had lines drawn up my arm level with my heart and had to watch that the swelling and infection didn’t cross that line or I was in big trouble. Intravenous antibiotics and a week of medication sorted it but never again will I leave something like that.

Lindyloo23 · 05/08/2023 23:56

Go to hospital asap!

thaegumathteth · 05/08/2023 23:58

@NickyT64 @Lindyloo23 and others

You can see updates just from the OP by clicking at the top of the thread. Then you'll have the latest info.

Waffle78 · 06/08/2023 00:33

It can take up to three days for the infection to work it's way out. I once had a large abscess on my arm. On the third night I woke up to it burst. There was puss everywhere smell was horrendous. Hope it's better soon.

SapphireSeptember · 06/08/2023 01:49

Oh yuck. Couple of years ago I had a bite that went funny, ended up with a ring of blisters round it and it got very infected. I hadn't long started a new job, phoned in sick late notice to go to the GP. I got antibiotics and the lovely nurse cleaned and dressed it for me. And then when everything dried up it was great fun to pick off. 😁 I'm glad you're feeling better OP!

queenofsheep · 06/08/2023 02:55

Go. You are entitled to NHS care.

DrG1 · 06/08/2023 07:54

you need a face to face appointment.

as a doctor I would never review a skin complaint by phone or through pictures.

the pictures are almost never good enough to aid diagnosis.

also, if you think you need to go to hospital then you go. Hospital is a place for urgent care of conditions that can deteriorate rapidly. Asking on a forum that may take hours to days to get a sensible response is at odds with your concern.

if you feel you have time to wait that long then you can see your GP the next day and go to out of hours if you develop Temperatures, shivers or you feel it is spreading.

on balance if it’s not responding to flucloxacillin and you don’t have other illnesses it’s likely not an infection. Misdiagnosis In telephone appointments will be more common and cellulitis is misdiagnosed very commonly.

Nuca · 06/08/2023 07:58

Can people at least just read op’s updates! She went to hospital the same night she started the thread, and has updated to say that it’s getting better

Blacksheepcat · 06/08/2023 08:02

I’ve had this … definitely go to hospital. U will need intravenous antibiotics at the very least.

Nuca · 06/08/2023 10:53

@Blacksheepcat op went to hospital 3 days ago and didn’t need iv antibiotics

Bunchymcbunchface · 06/08/2023 13:00

Yeah. With horses cellulitus can be a real git to get rid of. People too. You need stronger antibiotics to get on top of it.

Mummysaf · 06/08/2023 14:58

Yes the hospital

Jeannie88 · 06/08/2023 16:45

Can you go in to a pharmacy? I've found them to give very good advice. X

Blacksheepcat · 06/08/2023 17:15

Sorry, I’m on hols and didn’t see that she’d already been to hospital.

TheWorldisGoingMad · 09/08/2023 22:51

I had this happen around 3 weeks ago. I didn't realise it was a bite at the time as I had trousers on, but it was itchy as heck. I always respond badly to bites. This time was different... This happened in the evening, but the next day it was big. By the evening it was twice the size, red, hot and looked like an orange it was cellulitis. I knew I had to act fast, as I'd herd a few horror stories. I made a concoction of coconut oil and oregano oil. Rubbed it all around the swelling, massaging from ankle to knee, the skin was so tight. I also massaged the oi into the bite. I covered it with loo roll and strapped it up with a bandage, quite snuggly. I did this 4 x day for 2 days. On the 3rd day the swelling started to subside, I knew it was working. Within 5 days, my calf was back to normal. Oregano is a great healer. Worth researching if you don't know the benefits, coconut oil too.

Posted in case it's helpful. Or if you can't get to a doctor. 🤗

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