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 🙂

Yes I would take her to A&E
It sounds like Cellulitis which may even need IV antibiotics

Good luck @Dewdrops1 I hope it goes well and your daughter is ok.

I’d go to A&E too. I had a swelling that started by my ear, then my ear swelled up and the swelling spread to my face. Me being me thought I’d be fine and it would go down. It didn’t. I eventually went to the drs who sent me straight to A&E. It was cellulitis and even after IV antibiotics I was very unwell for nearly 2 weeks.

I would not be pissing about with 111

She needs urgent blood tests and possibly a scan in A&E today

Jesus christ, has anyone cancelled the cheque yet?

Good luck OP. Ignore the people who are happy to criticise. I had sepsis last year (didn’t know that at the time) but didn’t want to bother A&E over the weekend so phoned 111 and collapsed while waiting for them to call back. There’s a lot of MSM encouragement not to access medical services unnecessarily, never mind the wait for 111 or A&E. A&E vs GP is not always an easy decision to make when it’s not obviously an emergency. Naturally you’re getting her seen - wanting some reassurance while you’re doing it is human, not bad parenting.

@LupinLucyCurlyHair

What a cruel comment

It's amazing that op has manged to speak to a doctor and get her dd seen.
I've been desperate and our a and e is a shit hole over 40 mins away and a difficult drive.
I've asked here as well what should I do whilst waiting for call backs or finding out what services closer maybe able to help.
Our NHS is not there and thanks to mn many people have been able to get support.

Maybe Your forehead could swell with gravity if you stand on your head all day, what a strange response

Yeah as others have said it needs checking out. Try and get her a 111 out of hours appointment

This is definitely A&E immediately. It sounds very strange.

Oh bless her.

Glad you got some decent advice here and an appointment.

I think it's worthwhile asking about what Dr above suggested and that's why it's good to go armed with the right questions to ask.

That's some swelling. I hope the GP can sort it out for her today.

You’ve done the best thing, you’re seeing a doctor fast. In A&E you could be waiting for hours.

If you are in an area with an urgent care centre and you could phone them, or phone 111, and get an appointment with them in the next hour or so I'd do that. If that's isn't possible, then A+E. From what you have said, it isn't a medical emergency now, so if you can get non A+E treatment that would be best. However random swelling near to the brain, could easily turn into an A+E emergency, so if other help is going to involve waiting for hours for ring-backs, then A+E because IF it started affecting her brain it could be too late.

it's an odd presentation. It does not look like cellulitis but would be concerned for the structures in the area and proximity to the orbit. think this needs scanning/additional investigation. A&e

I just saw the pictures. Swelling will spread where it meets least resistence. Due to location I'd say a&e because its close to her eyes

Christ yes go to A&E. I can't believe you had to ask.

Definitely Pott's Puffy Tumour (not cancerous, but fluid). Glad you are getting help OP.

I'd also ask about Pott Puffy Tumour. I was in hospital during lockdown with Lemierre's Syndrome and the lady in the next bed had Potts Puffy Tumour - both of us there with an infection requiring strong antibiotics.

Glad you got an appointment and hope it's nothing serious

Please update when you have seen Drs. Thinking of you.

Please go to A&e IMMEDIATELY !

Go to A&E . Your child is not “wasting” the A&E “precious resources”. Your child is relying on you as the parent to get them medical attention.

Let us know what they say? I’m insanely curious xxx

Hope you get sorted out quickly and your daughter feels better soon.