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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my BF should go to the doctor? (Warning - pics included)

180 replies

BFE · 04/05/2024 09:37

My bf has had these large red areas on his chest/back for around 4 months. He won’t go to the doctor, to be fair it’s not very easy for him to do that as he works 12 hour days. He finally went to the pharmacy last weekend and asked them what they thought it was, they said psoriasis and sold him some E45 itch relief cream and he also got some vitamin D tablets. But now it’s more irritated than ever and so I don’t think the cream is helping, it seems to be doing the opposite.

Is he going to have to take a day off work, or are there any medical types on here that could point us in the right direction?

OP posts:
Iamtheoneinten · 04/05/2024 11:31

BFE · 04/05/2024 10:02

I don’t think there is a walk in anywhere around here, I live rurally. There’s minor injury units but I guess that’s not what we need? Not sure they’re open at weekends anyway.

They might do it - ours cover more than just MI - there’s usually a list available on their NHS website of what they cover. Ours are also open weekends. So worth checking.

lanthanum · 04/05/2024 11:36

He should register with a GP in his new area. Or have we got to the stage of GPs refusing new patients?

Mischance · 04/05/2024 11:36

Ringworm - get some canestan.

There you are - a Mumsnet diagnosis!!!

Ginkypig · 04/05/2024 11:45

he might be able to be to be seen at the pharmacy about this.

they seem to be doing more and more smaller stuff. I don’t keep obviously but he is likely to be passing one more regularly until he can register at the new gp.

im only suggesting it as he obviously is not going to go to his gp!

the other option is an online doctor? My mum used one and was prescribed anti fungal tablets privately. It cost about £30 all in.
she only used this option because NHS wouldn’t unless she was seen by dermatology and that was a nearly 18month wait.

he probably doesn’t need anti fungal medication obviously but could get the cream he need that way.

Jumpingthruhoops · 04/05/2024 11:53

VerasChips · 04/05/2024 10:37

@BFE don’t just presume it’s ringworm, get him to be seen. As well as plaque psoriasis there is a possibility of discoid eczema.

Another vote for discoid eczema, my DH has it.
As soon as OP said her BF works 12hr days, I thought it could be this. Apparently, it's caused by stress!

Original poster
BFE · 04/05/2024 12:07

Looking at the photos of ringworm online it looks like it’s usually darker around the edges, which his isn’t. He just went into my
local pharmacy and they had a look and said he needs to go to a doctor 😂. Will try the 111 option and see if we get anywhere.

OP posts:
Original poster
BFE · 04/05/2024 12:08

But he has had it since around Christmas time when he went back home and was helping out with the sheep there, apparently they can pass ringworm on.

OP posts:
Original poster
BFE · 04/05/2024 12:10

Also looked up photos of discoid eczema and that does look very similar to what he has, but he is the least stressed person in the world 😂. Unless he’s hiding it really well.

OP posts:
AmytheDancingBrick · 04/05/2024 12:12

ChateauMargaux · 04/05/2024 10:12

Fucidin is a steroid and antibiotic combination which will not help if this is ringworm and indeed may make things worse.

No it isn’t - Fucidin H is.

And not suitable to treat ringworm or psoriasis.

AmytheDancingBrick · 04/05/2024 12:13

The best thing you can do is ignore all the advice on here and get him seen by a GP.

Original poster
BFE · 04/05/2024 12:18

Tried the 111 thing, and it the end it just said to go to a pharmacist 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Deludamol · 04/05/2024 12:18

I've got psoriasis and it doesn't look anything like it to me.

My patches look like a big scab that won't heal. It also continually peels off in flakes. You can sometimes peel off an entire layer of it. It can also get bigger if flakes come off.

That looks fungal to me.

Also, if it was psoriasis, he needs steroid cream, not E45.

Deludamol · 04/05/2024 12:18

BFE · 04/05/2024 12:18

Tried the 111 thing, and it the end it just said to go to a pharmacist 🤦‍♀️

What about a different pharmacist?

AmytheDancingBrick · 04/05/2024 12:20

A pharmacist would send him to a GP - maybe try a private GP while he registers with a new one.

oakleaffy · 04/05/2024 12:23

BFE · 04/05/2024 09:47

Seems like ringworm is the most likely then…although if it’s contagious it’s weird I haven’t caught it from him 🤔.

It can spread to the scalp and cause circles of baldness - You and he definitely don’t want that.
It is desperately contagious- Horses and dogs with it are isolated from others-
Amazing that you have escaped infection.

Cocothecoconut · 04/05/2024 12:24

That really needs to be seen by a doc
then he can get the right treatment not just - try this, that , tother

BeansOnToast32 · 04/05/2024 12:27

My OH has Psoriasis and it can look exactly like that when it flares up in the summer! He gets a massive red patch on his side and the bottom of his back.

Newcrocs · 04/05/2024 12:28

Could he do an online private GP as a one off while he's between GPs? He does need to be seen by a dr ideally

TheScorpionandtheFrog · 04/05/2024 12:28

Ringworm and some other fungal diseases glow under UV light, if you have one. DS had something similar and it had gone way beyond applying cream, he had to have oral meds and a body wash as well.

LBFseBrom · 04/05/2024 12:29

He does need medical advice, no doubt about that. There must be some way of achieving that. Does he have an occupational health department at work?

Oil of evening primrose applied to the skin, as long as skin isn't broken, is often quite effective. I am not a medic so not advising, just suggesting. I do know it works for some, doesn't cost much and won't do harm.

jamimmi · 04/05/2024 12:31

It looks very like the bad case of ring worm.my teen dd had. We thought eczema untill the gp saw it too. Son just had a consultation for his eczema over the phone ( he's an adult) Sent pics all sorted. You partner dones need to register with new GP as the need upto date address and alos speak to one.

Original poster
BFE · 04/05/2024 12:33

We just did the diagnostic website posted below and it definitely seems the most likely thing is psoriasis. Just trying to work out the best way of him seeing a doctor, he’s about to finish the contract he’s doing and then will be moving to another place. Maybe best to get him registered where I am and he might have to take a Monday off.

OP posts:
EatCrow · 04/05/2024 12:34

BFE · 04/05/2024 09:55

Bit of a complicating factor with the GP situation is that he recently sold his house, where he was registered with a GP, and works in a completely different city now where he gets accommodation with work, and I live nowhere near that city. So he probably could send photos to the GP but never goes anywhere near that city anymore.

Is he going to register with a new GP surgery?

Justcallmebebes · 04/05/2024 12:34

Karensalright · 04/05/2024 09:42

That looks like ringworm or some other fungal infection. A pharmacist can treat that if i am correct

I thought ringworm the moment I saw it too