I want to take him to a&e

[MumofHennHals]

Am I being unreasonable? I want to drive to a&e

My 5 month old has pin prick marks on his fore arm, he's constantly sucking his arms ( photo of wet sleeve ) my husband says 'he's given himself hickeys from constantly having his arm in his mouth!'

Could it really be this simple?! He's fine in every other way and he really does have his arms in his mouth 24/7.

I have health anxiety.

Call NHS 111 for their advice and they can advise if they think the symptoms require a visit to A&E. Much better to get information from the comfort of your own home than to risk an unnecessary trip.

I'm inclined to agree with your husband.

If there were any marks elsewhere on his body, it'd be different but it does look like sucking marks.

I always think the threshold for A&E is how the child is in themselves. Floppy, pale, lethargic, vomiting, temperature are are things that might add up.

If the child is happy in themselves and otherwise normal, then it's not an A&E job

Accident and emergency?

I agree with your husband. Parenting is going to be a hard journey for you if you feel this is either of the above!

It does look like he’s done it himself.

Yeah it does look like sucking marks if his he's always sucking his arm. Also if he is absolutely fine in himself I wouldn't be worried but if this is a real concern for you and he's only very little you could call 111 but from how wet his sleeve is I reckon your husbands correct.

There is a health issue, but it's your anxiety not your baby's arm.

I also agree with your husband. If your son is otherwise well and not in pain then I don't think this warrants a trip to A&E.

Taking a completely well baby to A and E for a mark on their arm is not a good use of resources.

Go to a pharmacy if you are worried and show them?

I think your DH might be right!

Is he well otherwise? No fever, taking his milk as normal, wet nappies?

Pharmacy or gp for this

Do not go to A&E unless necessary! The baby is more likely to pick up a bug from there than anywhere else. At the most, get a GP appointment for the rash.

Trust me you don't want to be in A&E with a baby on a Friday night unless you absolutely have to.

Call 111 if you're really worried

Why would you go to A&E?

There is no accident. No emergency.

You could contact your GP or even go to a pharmacy with this of you really need to.

With absolutely no symptoms, just marks on his arm when he sucks it, it's probably safe to leave it alone.

(Not a medic, but a parent POV)

It's not an emergency. He's most likely done it to himself. Is he drinking and having wet/ dirty nappies and alert when awake?
If so then I'd not be concerned. Take him to the pharmacy or GP if it worsens. Babies are more resilient than you think, you're doing great but try not to worry so much

You don't need A&E. are you usually anxious?

Phone 111 if you're concerned. This doesn't look like an accident or an emergency.

It does look like suck marks. I wouldn't go to A&E for this. A pharmacy at a push if you are worried.

Both my kids have fair skin and, as babies, both could give themselves pin-prick bruising around the face and neck from coughing, crying or vomiting. It used to freak me out but I asked a GP friend once and he said a) it would be everywhere if it was a problem, and b) child would be generally unwell.

Agree with pp look at how your child is in themselves. A million things cause a rash. I wouldn't be concerned unless there were other signs of illness

I just wanted to say OP that I’ve been where you are - that health anxiety and fear over my baby and his health. It’s so hard and I totally understand how you feel. You’re doing a great job. I had some CBT and it really helped me. You sound like a wonderful mum x

Yes, how the baby feels is all important. If he seems fine in all likelihood he is.

And nice username 😂

This is not an issue for a&e. Gp at a big push and so you can speak about your health anxiety as you do need to get that under control.

Is he teething yet?

He seems to want everything and anything in his mouth, hands and forearms mainly!