AIBU to go to hospital with this

[ILuvfur5]

My leg started aching earlier and I pulled my pyjama bottoms up and my legs were covered in big puss filled spots.

I squeezed them but my leg feels tight and burning and full of pressure, the pain is increasing like a severe ache under one of the spots and I’m struggling to walk.

I waxed my legs 2 days ago so it looks like it could be folliculitis but the pain is becoming unbearable.

Our emergency treatment centre closed at 10pm and the nearest A&E is 40 miles away, I had a couple of glasses of wine before this properly flared up so can’t get there, I honestly don’t think I’d be able to use my leg to drive. I can’t afford £90 for a taxi at this time of night.

I’ve called 111 and I’m waiting for a call back but it said up to 6 hours.

I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, after my parents died I started to panic when I got ill. My parents became severely ill unexpectedly with quite rare conditions (my dad got septicaemia from food poisoning and my mum had Gullian Barre so I know how quickly life can change from something that doesn’t appear to be serious at first) I’ve been so much better recently but the pain is so bad that it’s hard to just ignore this. I also have severe anxiety.

I’ve posted pictures and I’d love to be told I’m being unreasonable and that it’s perfectly normal for this to hurt. I’ll just wait for the 111 callback.

I'm not a medical person but, if you are feeling well in yourself (i know your legs hurt ) and you're not feverish, vomiting, having sweats, chills, dizzy etc, i would try taking a couple of paracetamol and popping some soothing anti septic cream (sudocrem, germoline, dettol, anything like that) on your legs.

See if that helps at all.

If you are running a fever or feel ill in yourself then that could mean infection has set in and is no longer localised - then you do need to get to hosp asap.

They don't look bad from your picture and i can't see any pus there but obvs i cannot feel your pain - have you tried a cold compress?

Do not risk driving after 2 glasses of wine!

Do call 111 again for advice as i say i am not trained. Esp if you have tried my ideas already to no avail.

Would an antihistamine not be a good option? Hopefully they get back to you soon (don’t take an antihistamine unless they suggest it just in case) Best of luck op

Runing a high fever?

If not 2 paracetamol 500 mg, go to bed and call your GP at 8am.

Bang on

Thanks everyone, I definitely wouldn’t drive after any alcohol.

I do have a temperature I should have mentioned that in my post, that’s one reason I was concerned.

I’ve taken antihistamines and put some cream on, I’ll wait for 111 to ring back.

I just panic so much and I needed some sensible advice to focus on. I know no one is a medical expert and it needs looking at regardless but I just jump to panic!

I do have a medical degree, although I have never practised. As a rule of thumb, anything above 39 (even if it's 39.1) is considered a high grade fever and if this is you, get back onto 111 and tell them this. If it's raised but below 39 it's low to moderate - paracetamol, plenty of fluids, rest and see your GP tomorrow. I don't think antihistamine would help - from the information you have given I suspect infection. If it's in the hair follicles it is likely to be localised but you will need treatment.

Ring for advice for sure.

Look up erythema nodosum - incredibly painful. Hope you're better real soon from whatever it is ❤️