To take dd to A&E or wait to see GP

[Dewdrops1]

Hi all?

I know you can’t diagnose on here but concerned I may be wasting A&Es precious resources instead of waiting to see GP tomorrow.

we’ve just come back from holiday in Europe. 2 days ago DD who is teenager woke with a big egg sized lump on one side of forehead. No injury. She said she did squeeze a spot gently but not sure if that did it. Nothing obvious seen other than swelling. Yesterday the lump went down but the swelling spread to center of forehead and in between eyes and top of nose. The swelling has ‘flattened’ out but over a larger area and makes her forehead look slightly distorted. There’s no redness but is slightly warm to touch and tender. Dd said it’s giving her a slight headache and uncomfortable feeling.

Im worried it could be some sort of infection and it’s going near her eyes, or could it be a bug bite and I’m overthinking. So would you take her to A&E or go to GP tomorrow? The swelling isn’t massive but never experienced swelling spreading on forehead like that before (moved away from original lump) so not sure if it’s something I need to be concerned about (also nothing similar on google).

thanks for your advice in advance 🙂

You should get it checked . Why wait ? It's not a normal thing to just happen

I'd call 111 and explain but to be honest I probably would go to a&e for unexplained swelling on the head, if anti histamine hasn't worked.

I’d be off to A&E with that.

If NHS111 can look at a photo, I'd go for that option.
It's not clear to me that OP's DD feels bad.
If it were truly serious I'd expect her to be feeling rather rough, not just a bit of headache.
So although I don't like the 'growing' aspect, I doubt I'd go to A&E on current picture.

I'd totally want that checked today. Ooo GP at least, failing that A&E. That isn't normal.

Experience of cellulitis in our house which needed IV ABs.

I would not hesitate to take my teen to A and E with this symptoms. I would not be messing about with a possible infection on the face so close to the eyes.

I wouldn’t wait for the gp tomorrow and would get it checked quickly. I would probably go to a&e for unexplained swelling but if you feel more comfortable then phone 111 now and hopefully get her checked soon.

If she's not feeling unwell, I would wait until Monday for a gp. Looks like a swollen insect bite, maybe put some germolene/ tcp on it.

I'd phone 111

111 and ask for a GP appointment with the OOH team. I wouldn't want to wait for that to be seen if at all possible - and infection in the face can spread quickly and the head is fairly important....

111 will get you an out of hours doctor appointment.
Alternatively a pharmacy could have advised earlier but guessing they are closed now

On past experience, given where it is it is definitely a justified A & E visit.

Definitely 111 for this.

Definitely A&E

if it is cellulitis, you need to get the antibiotics in quickly.

I would go to A&E because of the location of the bump, OP.

A&E definitely. That looks very swollen.

I've had cellulitis three times. This looks like it. Please don't delay and as others have advised, ring 111 to see if they can get you in somewhere quicker than A&E - oral antibiotics might be sufficient, or if the clinician thinks IV is needed they should be able to get her prioritised at A&E.

Our walk in centre won't see you for any sort of head issue, they send you straight to A&E.

I would definitely go to A&E for that, @Dewdrops1. It might be nothing serious, but if it is, it is too close to her eyes - I wouldn’t take the risk.

I can't believe someone has suggested germoline.

Absolutely go to a&e. Pronto.

My DD had orbital cellulitis from the smallest scratch on her nose. A&E said she could have lost her eye if I'd not taken her. Best to check just in case.

Call 111 for sure - they will probably send you to A & E

if your gp will see you same day I’d call and go tomorrow but if likely not and it could be a couple of days I’d go to a&e- not sure everyone else’s experience but 111 is useless- never call you back or otherwise always say go to a&e.

A&E with that type of swelling so close to the eyes. Know it’s not red and your DD doesn’t appear to be feeling unwell but better to get this checked out sooner rather than later.

DH had a ‘dirty’ sting in his wrist, swelling move up his arm, granted it was red and cracking the skin, it was so swollen, 4 days of IV AB’s!

Yeah get medical help ASAP.
i agree you can get an out of hours gp who can give abx and probably sooner than A and E