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 🙂

I would get that seen by a doctor today. However you do that. Good luck.

100% go to ED, it's what it is there for.

It's a very unusual swelling and you need to rule out an abscess.

Hopefully the OP isn’t wasting any more time reading and responding to posts on Mumsnet and is on her way to A&E

With the fast pace the lump is expanding and the location of it, I would take her to A&E or urgent care.

Don’t take chances with her eyes.

I've had similar presentation with orbital cellulitis, I felt perfectly fine but my mother contacted the GP who sent me straight to hospital and I was in for 3 days with IV antibiotics. It is something that needs immediate treatment. I doubt A&E will mind one bit if DD was checked out there, the swelling is significant. I hope she feels better soon.

It's very strange and you are not sure what it is. Play to safe and take her to AandE.

Thanks all for your advice, I’ve just spoken to 111 and awaiting a call back from out of hours GP. Hopefully it’s nothing serious but like most of you have said, it’s not worth the risk. In the meantime If she starts acting unwell I’ll take her straight to A&E .

DS2 ended up on iv antibiotics with a similar lump that was repeatedly dismissed by the practice nurse. Out of hours gp, walk in or a&e

A and E based on the photos you posted.

V worrying for you, hope 111 call back soon.

100% a and e. This happened to a friend in the rainforest. They couldn’t get medical attention. Turned into something very odd (a kind of autoimmune benign tumour reaction) which went on for over a decade.

It was the rainforest so there’s a lot of unknown bugs out there and no one quite understands it. But there has always been the question of if they got medical care quickly would it have made a difference. No one knows but don’t risk it.

Straight to A&E
As pp have said cellulitis and risk of orbital cellulitis- once the infection gets into the area around the eye it’s extremely dangerous. The infection can damage the eye or brain.

Oh for goodness sake.
How many people have to tell you to go to A&E based on your picture.
Just go.

@Dewdrops1 see how quickly they call back but I think it is highly likely they will tell you to get her seen today so, given the time of day, I would head to hospital now - either A&E or Urgent care if you have one. Any time I have called 111 about one of the kids, they have said get them seen. And A&E at night is grim, hence I would go now.

I am a dr’s receptionist and I would go straight to A&E with that, most likely where you’ll end up anyway.

Op you might want to read theough this link https://www.dovemed.com/health-topics/focused-health-topics/pott-puffy-tumor-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment

I can't vouch for the source (was just curious b/c @ApiratesaysYarrr mentioned it upthread) but the photos on google look similar and it sounds very serious should this be what it is

No you need to go to A&E. infections around the eye and forehead can quickly cause blindness or a brain infection. Dont fuck about waiting for a call back, go get her seen.

Another saying please just take her to A&E, doctor here and that needs looking at urgently!!

I looked it up too and I agree that needs to be ruled in or out.

This!

They are going to tell you to go to A&E @Dewdrops1 . There is no alternative, really. I wouldn't be waiting if I were you. The quicker antibiotics are started, the easier it is to treat.

My daughter had cellulitis around her forehead / ear and I took her to urgent care. With very strong antibiotics we sorted it but it did come back 2 weeks later. More antibiotics and it's never returned. I boil washed all the bedding & towels as I did get a bit paranoid about it.

My face did this with an allergic reaction - ended up in a & e. Please take her, I had really strong antibiotics

111 call back could take hours! Take her to A&E now OP

Another vote for straight to A&E. Wishing her well 💐