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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this was poor from the pharmacist?

242 replies

Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 11:57

6 weeks or so ago I got two cartilage piercings in my left ear, tragus and helix.

I kept irritating them by turning over in my sleep and my toddler has knocked them a few times too so I was getting those annoying irritation bumps which were tender. I haven't had any pus coming from them, no temperature or discharge, just a bit of clear fluid when i removed them which I know isn't that abnormal.

I went to the chemist and asked to speak to the pharmacist, receptionist asked what the problem was and I briefly explained and said I want to buy something for the inflammation but was hoping the pharmacist could take a look first.

Receptionist relays that to the pharmacist and the pharmacist decided, without looking or even speaking to me at all, that it's infected and I need to go to A&E and get antibiotics and sprays would be no good.

She had her baby with her strapped to her back so I don't think she could have sat down with me in the consultation room in the first place.

I'm a bit miffed as we are routinely encouraged to see a pharmacist for minor ailments to take the strain off of GP's and hospitals, but this is the response I got for trying.

I have PTSD after having sepsis so now I'm scared about an infection that I didn't feel I had in the first place 😔 I can't just rock up to A&E for something like this surely, and there's nobody to have my children anyway.

Do you think I'm being unreasonable for thinking her response was poor?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
5GreenLeaves · 20/04/2024 11:58

Try a different pharmacy?

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 11:58

5GreenLeaves · 20/04/2024 11:58

Try a different pharmacy?

Unfortunately that's the only local one open on a Saturday. My usual pharmacy is fab but they're not open on weekends.

OP posts:
Noyesnoyes · 20/04/2024 11:59

Go elsewhere, an unnecessary trip to the A&E helps no one.

JosieGrossie · 20/04/2024 11:59

Not the best advice without even taking a look, but hey I'm not medically trained! Can you phone out of hours?

Geebray · 20/04/2024 12:00

I think you're unreasonable for getting piercings that you can't handle in your sleep, with a toddler, then expecting the NHS to pick up the pieces.

The pharmacist knows what they can prescribe for. This is your problem, not theirs. Try and get a GP appointment.

dementedpixie · 20/04/2024 12:01

Have you spoken to your piercer as they may have helpful info and provide sprays that can help?

AnnaMagnani · 20/04/2024 12:02

The pharmacist has a limited scope of practice in minor illnesses which presumably doesn't include 'have a look at a piercing'

Am also not sure what you actually want given that you yourself describe what is happening with your piercing as normal.

bradpittsbathwater · 20/04/2024 12:02

Call out of hours or wait until Monday to call the GP. No is this an a&e job.

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 12:02

Geebray · 20/04/2024 12:00

I think you're unreasonable for getting piercings that you can't handle in your sleep, with a toddler, then expecting the NHS to pick up the pieces.

The pharmacist knows what they can prescribe for. This is your problem, not theirs. Try and get a GP appointment.

Don't be so ridiculous. I went to a pharmacy wanting to buy a spray so I didn't have to waste the NHS' time.

Unreasonable for getting piercings I can't handle in my sleep?! 🤔

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 20/04/2024 12:03

And why did you take the piercings out? You shouldn't be touching or fiddling with them unnecessarily

Panicatthegarden · 20/04/2024 12:03

I've found saline solution good for cleaning up piercings and easing minor irritation

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 12:03

dementedpixie · 20/04/2024 12:01

Have you spoken to your piercer as they may have helpful info and provide sprays that can help?

I have sent a message but she hasn't seen it, her shop isn't open on weekends either.

OP posts:
HaPPy8 · 20/04/2024 12:03

Panicatthegarden · 20/04/2024 12:03

I've found saline solution good for cleaning up piercings and easing minor irritation

This!

Miloandfreddy · 20/04/2024 12:04

Wait, the pharmacist had her baby strapped to her back? While she was working?

Smartiepants79 · 20/04/2024 12:04

Are you supposed to take out piercings after only 6 weeks??
Don’t go to a&e
see how they go over the weekend and try a different pharmacy on Monday.
My Dd had ears pierced last year by a very reputable piercing shop. We were told to basically not touch them for 8 weeks. No cleaning (shouldn’t be necessary) or removing. And those were just lobes.

TheOriginalEmu · 20/04/2024 12:04

Geebray · 20/04/2024 12:00

I think you're unreasonable for getting piercings that you can't handle in your sleep, with a toddler, then expecting the NHS to pick up the pieces.

The pharmacist knows what they can prescribe for. This is your problem, not theirs. Try and get a GP appointment.

The pharmacist doesn’t know anything without actually looking at the piercing!
Also the OP isn’t asking the NHS to ‘pick up the pieces’ she’s trying to do the opposite and avoid NHS services by asking a pharmacist their opinion.

@Pharmacy1one I’d contact your piercer, irritation bumps are common and they know what to do. The best thing to do for them is to stop messing with them tbh. Clean it daily with your saline spray (if you don’t have one you can buy them online easily) and then leave it be.

dementedpixie · 20/04/2024 12:05

I've heard Neilmed spray is supposed to be good for piercings

Itsaloadofbollocksbut · 20/04/2024 12:05

You shouldn’t need a pharmacist. You can get saline spray and piercing bump oil from Amazon that will clear that up. You should be sleeping on a travel pillow so that there is no pressure on your ear. (Had a cartilage piercing a fortnight ago and no trouble at all following my piercer’s instructions).

Itsaloadofbollocksbut · 20/04/2024 12:05

dementedpixie · 20/04/2024 12:05

I've heard Neilmed spray is supposed to be good for piercings

It’s the bomb.

Crysti · 20/04/2024 12:05

Geebray · 20/04/2024 12:00

I think you're unreasonable for getting piercings that you can't handle in your sleep, with a toddler, then expecting the NHS to pick up the pieces.

The pharmacist knows what they can prescribe for. This is your problem, not theirs. Try and get a GP appointment.

Eh she went to a pharmacy which isn’t the NHS.
what are you on about!

Original poster
Pharmacy1one · 20/04/2024 12:06

dementedpixie · 20/04/2024 12:03

And why did you take the piercings out? You shouldn't be touching or fiddling with them unnecessarily

I don't fiddle with them, I think I'm irritating them by turning onto that side during the night plus my toddler has knocked them a few times. I just wanted them out.

OP posts:
Crysti · 20/04/2024 12:06

AnnaMagnani · 20/04/2024 12:02

The pharmacist has a limited scope of practice in minor illnesses which presumably doesn't include 'have a look at a piercing'

Am also not sure what you actually want given that you yourself describe what is happening with your piercing as normal.

She’s looking to buy something to soothe and give her a little relief and comfort 🤨

dementedpixie · 20/04/2024 12:07

So have you removed them completely now?

Itsaloadofbollocksbut · 20/04/2024 12:07

Cartiledge piercings take months to heal.

did your piercer not talk you through aftercare? Eg saline spray twice a day, leave them alone, sleep in a travel
pillow?

sunflowerlover282 · 20/04/2024 12:07

Book the kettle and add the water and salt to a bowl and use this on your piercings once cooled.