To ask if I should go to A&E or call 111? Pics included

[hurtylegs]

So just got back from abroad. Got numerous mosquito bites but reacted to them much worse than usual (probably due to my immune system being worn out) - see pics below of the three worst bites (all on my legs).

Have been putting bite cream on them since I got back which seems to have helped with the worst of the itching but they have been hot and hard to the touch and at least one had a fluid-filled blister (now popped - sorry if TMI) - not currently the case though.

Am worried however about the small red lines coming out of two of them, within the last few hours, in case cellulitis is developing. Any thoughts on whether I ought to call 111 or even go to A&E? (Hope not, as it's late and I'm shattered.)

Separate to that, as mentioned above, my system is shot to pieces as I have ulcerative colitis and am having a severe flare up. So really would rather avoid antibiotics if at all possible, as they bring on diarrhoea in me at the best of times. That said, am also wondering if I should call 111 or go to A&E about the colitis, as I am having liquid bloody diarrhoea about every half hour. Supposed to be having a colonoscopy this weekend but not sure that will be possible.

Feel pretty dreadful. Any advice (or even sympathy would be nice)? 🙂😢

Your DDs bite looks infected and the fact that the red area around it has grown means she needs medical attention to get it looked at.

In the future it's better to make your own thread to get more responses.

Looking at your pictures those bites look normal, as if you've been scratching them so have gone red. They don't look infected but if your are concerned have an antihistamine and put some antiseptic cream on them. Don't call 111 or go to A&E that's OTT and you will end up waiting forever to be told they are standard bites and not to scratch them. Waste of both yours and the doctors time

Re colonoscopy and bloody BM’s - don’t hold out. Seek help, it may not affect their course of action, or it might expedite it however you need to be seen.

If your bites are warm, the temp isn’t bowel related, and red lines are tracking away from it then you need to get help with that. As many have said, draw a line. However your immune system isn’t firing in all cylinders at the moment so I would seek help sooner rather than later.

Medics will have balanced the need for both steroid and abx many times before so let them help you and take that worry from you.

it sounds utterly rotten for you - best of luck

Op if you’ve previously been told to go to A&e with your symptoms then please go.

going To bed and checking when next visiting loo seems good idea. Mark with a pen if it helps.

antihistamines first thing

Definitely go to A&E. ASAP,* *first thing in the morning if you’re sleeping now. It’s quieter then too.

So sorry you’re going through this, it sounds utterly debilitating and miserable.

Report all your symptoms, especially your elevated temperature, the severe diarrhoea you are experiencing, how frequent are these episodes, any dizziness, weakness, feeling faint, disorientation, nausea, malaise, areas of pain, etc etc.

Jot down your medication and dosages.

Make a list of all of your symptoms as it’s hard to remember everything when you’re feeling so unwell. Do not downplay anything! Emphasise! It’s all important for an accurate diagnosis.

Don’t listen to anyone trivialising mosquito bites. It’s completely irresponsible. Mosquitoes can transmit a whole bunch of viruses, and pathogenic bacteria from elsewhere (e.g., from scratching), can all too easily enter the tiniest of injury sites. Untreated, this can very quickly lead to sepsis.

Your reported symptoms are very concerning. The red lines coming from the wound site could be serious too, or they could be less serious - they could be lymphatic inflammation, they could be for other reasons, but esp. because of your other symptoms, and your UC meds, you must be checked by a doctor. Don’t be fobbed off.

As you say, your immune system is suppressed, so unable to mount necessary defence. You are at much higher risk for infection.

Any hives or swollen lymph nodes?

Completely understand about not wanting to go on antibiotics what with colonoscopy coming up & having waited so long :-((. Ask if they can possibly swap your appointment with someone else’s, in perhaps two/three weeks?

My DH is a consultant gastroenterologist & I have relatives & close friends with UC & other digestive conditions. I have an idea of how difficult it makes life. You have my most sincere sympathies and very best wishes for good care, treatment, rest and a swift recovery.

Yet again we have a poster asking if they should go to A&E... Helpful people saying go NOW and OP saying they will go in the morning... MADDENING!!!!

Go to A & E with the red lines. Draw a line on them and write the time so that you can see if the lines are spreading. Please don’t ignore it. I ended up in hospital with sepsis because I thought it was “only a bite.” A pharmacist noticed, when I was getting something completely unrelated and sent me to A & E. You need antibiotics quickly.

Wow call 111. You’ll probably have to sit in A&E for hours but it’s not worth the risk of leaving it if there’s something wrong.

let the doctors worry about the interactions of medications, that’s what they’re trained for!

mumsnet can’t give you advice, it’s risky and difficult to diagnose remotely in any case which is why 111 are so useless and either call you an ambulance or tell you to go to A&E most of the time…

@hurtylegs how are you this morning, and where are you, at home or A&E? I do hope you managed to get some sleep, but if you are not feeling a lot better, and/or if the redness/lines around your bites have not improved, then I really do think you should get both problems checked at the hospital this morning.

If you are "lucky" enough to have a GP who will do a face to face emergency consultation before your GP surgery starts for the day, I would try them first, because they can arrange for you to be admitted straight to a ward, rather than having to go via A&E! So if you can be seen first thing by your GP I think it should be helpful to ask them first.

I haven't gone to sleep yet OP and I have been thinking about you for most of the night, so I really do think that it is time for you to see a Dr. I have just thought of one more possibility, if the hospital near you is one where you have been admitted before to the correct ward for your ulcerative colitis, you could try ringing that ward now yourself. If you explain your symtoms to them in depth, then hopefully one of the Drs there might be willing to see you on the ward itself this morning 🤞🙏🩷

When you get a chance please come back and let us know how you are getting on xx

I mean ultimately it's your choice, but personally I wouldn't go to A&E. I'd rather try to have a telephone appointment with my GP and be called in if required.

You'd get the same result (advice/medication) that you'd get after waiting hours upon hours in A&E...

Just read about the blood... yeah I'd try to get an urgent GP appointment or go to A&E if there's no appointments available...

How are you this morning OP? I also think it’s best to head to A&E with this, or calling 111, they’ll probably tell you to head down there anyway.

Thanks all.

Have just called 111 rather than going straight to A&E as it occurred to me that hanging round A&E waiting to be seen when I keep needing to dash to the loo is not likely to be the most pleasant experience for me or anyone else in A&E trying to use the loo. So am hoping to get a timed appointment from 111. A doctor from 111 is calling me back within the hour.

Got about 3 hours sleep with hourly loo breaks so checked my bites then - a couple have possibly?? grown a tiny bit since last night, but on the positive front, my temperature is back down again. Hoping antibiotics not required.

Many thanks to everyone who gave their views - much appreciated.

I have an allergy to mosquito bites. If I’m bitten I get swellings 10cm in diameter, red hot to the touch, and it takes days and days to go down. Sometimes they also blister. Anti-histamines and cream on the bite. Preventatively you need to use deet or cover up.

That is a mild reaction to a mosquito bite and is in no way appropriate to go to A&E.

Preparing to be flamed as lots of MN will trot out ‘but only a doctor can diagnose and it could be life threatening’ etc. Yes, it could be all those things, but the likelihood is almost zero and more likely to be hit by a bus tomorrow. People need to stop thinking A&E is appropriate for this sort of minor ailment when a trip to the pharmacy will suffice.

It sounds like you have other health issues going on which do need investigation and perhaps you are somewhat panicked about your health generally as a result.

Good luck!!!

Thank you all, now spoken to 111 doctor and going to A&E. My GP would be fine for action on the bites but from previous experience they appear to know nothing about colitis - part of the reason it's got as bad as it has was because of lack of prompt action to refer me previously by two separate GPs (the hospital staff I eventually saw were shocked). So better to see a proper gastro doctor if I can via A&E.

That said, my dh has just pointed out that it was on the news this morning that there's a consultant strike starting this morning for 3 days! So imagine A&E may be even busier. 🙁

Will update later.

Glad you’re going to the hospital but what an ordeal, you poor thing. You must be exhausted & in pain. Having to sit in A&E for hours while having to rush to the loo often is horrid and will be the last place you’ll want to be but it’s the safest place.

It sounds like quite a few MNetters are worried about you & I’m sure are wishing you well and checking for updates.

UC bloody diarrhoea is of course, on its own, a medical emergency and it’s infuriating to hear that you’ve not been given the prompt care and attention from GPs that you absolutely should have had in the past, leading to further complications.

A&E may call a gastro SpR or nurse down to see you. Have you got a bag packed (or could someone bring you a bag) in case they admit you to the gastro ward for treatment?

Sending very gentle healing hugs your way…

Are you I'm immune suppressants for the UC? Because if so you really need to highlight to specialist those bites will get way out of hand quicker than a "normal" person

Those just look like ordinary mosquito bites to me.

I would call 111.

My big bites last year from abroad were looked much nastier than this but had lines coming out of them. Didn't see a dr but was prescribed over the counter antibiotics which helped.

Google suggested it was probably Lymphangitis.

So a quick update, those of you who said I should go to A&E were right, in that I have now been admitted for the next few days for IV meds for the colitis flare up. And have antibiotic ointment for the bites.

Thanks to everyone for the advice, very grateful x

You poor lass, now relax and heal.

So sorry to read your update @hurtylegs. I hope that you feel better soon.

I am pleased you are in the right place and getting the right treatment now. My DGD is in the middle of a Crohn's flare-up at present and I know how miserable it is - every time she tries to reduce the steroids all hell is let loose.

I hope that the treatment works for you and that things will settle down