To not send a photo to the Dr?

[swissrollisntswiss]

DS (4) has a rash around his anus. Very red, with a very clear border. He’s had it for a week now, we’ve tried sudacream but it’s not helped. He’s now complaining that it’s itchy and getting sore. I’ve looked for worms but can’t see any so I’m fairly sure it isn’t that.

After calling the surgery all day I finally get through and I’m told that they can’t see him but to email a photo. I’m not comfortable with this, it feels too private. I’ve sent one when he’s had an eye infection previously, I’m fine with the system but not for this. Is it just me? AIBU?

For full context, I’m not in the UK, I’m British though so not sure if I’m being too British!

They are doctors, they will have seen everything. Just send it

Our online GP practice specifically says not to send photos of private areas so I think you're well within your rights to refuse

Don't send it. My surgery asks that no intimate images are sent via any method of communication. Contact the surgery and ask to be seen in person.

Our online GP system states explicitly not to send photos of intimate areas so I personally wouldn’t. Have you explained to the person requesting the photo exactly where the rash is?

also my daughter had this, I couldn’t see any worms but low and behold after I gave her a dose of ovex it cleared up over a week or so. I think they’d been irritating her overnight

Our GP surgery has a policy not to ask for this sort of photo when the patient is under 18. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with this either.

Ours have the same policy - ca you explain the nature of it and they can advise? I bet you anything they will book you a face to face appt.

Exactly this. Our surgery specifically says do not send pictures of intimate areas. I'd push for an in person appointment.

Having said that, would your little one be comfortable showing a doctor his anus? Perhaps he'd prefer a picture be sent!!!

I'd also be uncomfortable with that. It's not email but it is a permanent picture. And also- if it was a baby maybe, but I'd be really uncomfortable telling a 4yo that it is ok for a grown up to take pictures of his genital area. Feels less than ideal.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable with this either and wouldn’t send. Like PP our surgery specifically states no private photos.

Did you check him for worms during the night? That is normally when they come out.

It is standard email. As I said, I’m not in the UK. Our patient files are on paper, they definitely don’t have anything more than email.

Same as everyone else - our surgery says no photos of intimate areas. I would not send one either but would email/call with an explanation.

I wouldn’t send that photo either

YANBU

Your surgery and the OP's surgery aren't the same, though. Different surgeries do things in different ways and use different systems. The OP has already asked for her child to be seen in person and they said they didn't have an appointment.

What do people think is actually going to happen to a photo of a kid's itchy bumhole? You know that people who are interested in kids' bums really, really don't need to attempt to hack NHS systems to find photos of them.

Our e-consult form specifically says not to send photos of the genital or rectal area. YANBU.

If it's not worms, it's probably a fungal infection like thrush. If you have Canesten (1% clotrimazole) cream, you can apply this thinly. I was advised by a paediatrician to buy over the counter for my baby when he had a fungal nappy rash. It will often be available to buy as Athletes Foot cream. Use as directed, usually a few times a day. Also try to otherwise keep clean and dry.

Does he use wipes to clean his bottom, as these might be causing an irritation or leaving the area damp?

I would send it myself. It's a photo of his anus, it's not going to be identifying, and in the very unlikely event the emai lis hacked, they have a photo of a child's painful bottom.

Don't send it. A photo is potentially a permanent record and GDPR breaches can and do happen. Explain why and you should be allowed an appropriate way of getting clinical advice. The GP surgery should have a policy against people sending in photos of intimate areas. Clinical staff also shouldn't be put in the unethical position of storing or viewing intimate photos unless they believe it's clinically necessary- a doctor may be able to advise based on a discussion/description.

I don’t have an issue with them examining him in person but I have no control over a photo being sent over email. That’s where my concern lies.

No I wouldn’t send one either. Just wait for an appointment, maybe