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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be so upset about this (see photo) *MNHQ adding content warning for fairly grim skin ailment*

146 replies

Brownhair3 · 21/02/2023 03:41

I posted about this back in December (I think) but unfortunately it’s not fixed and keeps getting worse so thought I’d make a new post with an updated photo from tonight

I have a pretty unpleasant infection on my skin and I can’t seem to get rid of it. I’ve had i for 2-3 months now (since roughly the start of December I think) and I’ve had several different antibiotics, fungas treatments, topical treatments and all sorts from the doctor. Nothing is getting rid of it completely. It sometimes gets slightly better than flares up and spreads again. It’s wet, sticky and really hot and painful. It’s around the crack of my ear and keeps spreading onto the skin around my scalp and on the back of my ear. It’s not spreading beyond that so far thankfully

has anyone had similar and have any advice of something I could try for it? Starting to panic it will never go- it’s so ugly and really painful, I’m currently sleeping upright because rolling over in my sleep onto that side of my head is too excruciating. Trying so hard not to be upset by it but I’m so disappointed it’s not gone yet and I just want it to go away, it’s so embarrassing and painful

OP posts:
TessoftheDubonnet · 01/03/2023 04:29

I'm confused. Why on earth would your dermatologist not see you for something as serious and painful as this, especially since it has been found to be resistant to several treatments. Have you emailed them these photos and they refused? That just seems outrageous!

Original poster
Brownhair3 · 01/03/2023 04:41

TessoftheDubonnet · 01/03/2023 04:29

I'm confused. Why on earth would your dermatologist not see you for something as serious and painful as this, especially since it has been found to be resistant to several treatments. Have you emailed them these photos and they refused? That just seems outrageous!

They saw me when my skin problems initially started and diagnosed it as psoriasis and sent prescription details for me to be on to my GP. I don’t go to dermatology regularly (I think they’ll possibly do yearly check ups but not sure) and I’ve just to go to my GP when it flares up or gets infected and usually antibiotics help but this time it’s been a nightmare to get rid of. I don’t even have details for dermatology or an email address for them- I think they said the dermatology service is completely overwhelmed in our health board anyway as my initial appointment took 2 years to get seen after my problems started!

OP posts:
TessoftheDubonnet · 01/03/2023 04:49

If you cannot find your dermatologist's email online, I would insist that your GP emails them with your photos and asks them how he/she should treat this while you are waiting for the referral to come through.

It is totally unacceptable that you should be left in this state. I really hope you can get effective treatment soon - this must be so distressing.

Ponderingwindow · 01/03/2023 04:54

Your GP needs to send you back to dermatology then.

My GP is the first to admit that her ability to treat my mystery skin ailments is limited.

ArcticSkewer · 01/03/2023 05:14

Has your GP refused your request for a referral to dermatology? Can you speak to a different GP if so?

What treatment have they given you so far and what else have you tried?

Original poster
Brownhair3 · 01/03/2023 05:24

They haven’t refused but I hadn’t specifically asked (I will now though) just because usually it gets treated at the GP so I didn’t think to ask. Although waiting times are apparently unreal in our health board and I expect it to be at least a few months (I was 2 years for my initial referral and psoriasis diagnosis) which is frustrating to think I’ll have this for longer but at least it would be on the way to getting fixed I suppose.

We’ve tried different fungal treatments, different antibiotics tablets and creams and steroid / antibiotic cream. Nothing is improving it at all. to make matters worse I seem to have a tooth infection in that same side of my face which is making my cheek and inside my ear really sore so that entire side of my head is literally agony right now from everything!

OP posts:
ArcticSkewer · 01/03/2023 05:38

Ok, so you can ask about the referral to dermatology and explain the level of pain.

But now I am worried about your other pain. I wouldn't assume that is a tooth abscess (although - speak to a dentist!) so back to the GP or 111 asap to get it checked out in case it is a serious infection.

Poor you, it all sounds very painful.

TessoftheDubonnet · 01/03/2023 05:51

We’ve tried different fungal treatments, different antibiotics tablets and creams and steroid / antibiotic cream. Nothing is improving it at all

When you say 'tried' - did they actually do any cultures, i.e. identify the pathogens that are causing the infection?

And I also wonder whether your dental pain may be connected with what is going on behind your ear. Have you actually seen a dentist?

Fraaahnces · 01/03/2023 05:58

This is going on too long. I would ask for the referral AND get them to check your antibody levels and your blood sugar levels. There are a few autoimmune conditions, etc that can leave you vulnerable to skin issues, @Brownhair3

ArcticSkewer · 01/03/2023 06:01

Please don't ignore your new pain in case it is a serious infection linked to this rash.

Naughty1205 · 01/03/2023 06:35

Can you get a private appointment ASAP?

JuneOsborne · 01/03/2023 06:44

You need to be seen urgently. Make an appointment today with your GP. Ask for swabs, a referral to derm and more help to get it under control. You can't go on like this.

Thinking out loud here- what about cutting the hair that's around it, and trying some soft dressings with hydrocolloid? Or silver? Mepilex type, soft dressings could be helpful. A nurse would know.

ladyofshertonabbas · 01/03/2023 06:50

that looks bad. Have you tried sudocrem? Covering every bit that’s infected overnight? It should help. It sounds lame, but we’ve had quite miraculous results with it.

failing that, tea tree oil, possibly diluted?

PragmaticWench · 01/03/2023 06:51

This needs swabs taking and your GP and/or dentist need to be investigating your face pain to ensure it's not an infection linked to this.

Minieggy · 01/03/2023 06:51

Ear infections can feel like tooth pain because of the position so I would definitely check what thespian is as it could be connected. I once went to the emergency dentist to discover it was an ear infection but it felt so much like a tooth!

Minieggy · 01/03/2023 06:51

The pain not thespian

RosesAndHellebores · 01/03/2023 07:36

I'm going against the Mumsnet grain here. I think you need to get up and dressed and take yourself to A&E. That needs dressing, some AB's and you need a general health check and bloods as well as swabs in my opinion. I'd also make an urgent apt with Yr GP - do it whilst waiting in A&E so you can report immediately, share the advice given with your GP and keep on top of an emergency dermatology appointment.

You really need to ascertain ASAP any connections with the pain in your ear and mouth and get clarity.

icountallthebeans · 01/03/2023 07:44

You need to go back to dermatology.

Most GPs aren't very good at dealing with stuff like this - they'll issue prescriptions for things dermatology have prescribed you before, but they're not good at issuing anything new. Some drugs are expensive, others have side effects, and it's just not their day-to-day bag.

Do you have any private healthcare through work? Just asking because a lot of people do and don't think to use it.

Rosycampfireglow · 01/03/2023 08:07

OP, that, combined with the new symptoms, sounds like torture.

I feel so sorry for you.

Really hope someone can relieve the pain as soon as possible.

ItsNotReallyChaos · 01/03/2023 08:23

I am not usually one for saying 'go to A&E' but the mouth issue on the same side is massively ringing alarm bells. You need tests. There's no point trying various antifungal/steroid etc. treatments if they don't really know what it is. You need targeted treatment and this looks nasty. Please seek further medical help today.

ArcticSkewer · 01/03/2023 10:15

Did you get through to the GP, op?

You need to make sure your new symptoms are not signs of anything serious where an infection has spread. If you couldn't get an appointment ring 111 or even consider A and E.

Original poster
Brownhair3 · 01/03/2023 21:21

I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to be misleading when I mentioned the sore tooth- it’s actually unrelated, I’ve had an infected tooth for over a year and already had countless antibiotics and a root canal on it. It still flares up and is agony occasionally in my ear and the cheek and tooth area itself. It had flared up yesterday/this morning and my jaw was agony with it. But that’s been going on long before the infected skin problem and when I posted it last night I hadn’t realised it would sound like it’s related sorry. I just mentioned it because I was tired and grouchy about being in too much pain to sleep!

i couldn’t get an appointment today either unfortunately so I’ll just have to try again tomorrow and Friday. I actually had a blood test recently and everything was fine so I don’t know why I can’t seem to shift this. I’ll post a photo of it again tonight but it’s basically the same as the one I posted last night

OP posts:
BMW6 · 01/03/2023 21:30

Have you tried medicinal honey? When my dog was badly bitten by another he had a large area of raw flesh which the vet filled with honey for three weeks while the skin grew back close enough to stitch up the wound.

My sister is a HCP and they use it on humans too.

Original poster
Brownhair3 · 01/03/2023 21:33

BMW6 · 01/03/2023 21:30

Have you tried medicinal honey? When my dog was badly bitten by another he had a large area of raw flesh which the vet filled with honey for three weeks while the skin grew back close enough to stitch up the wound.

My sister is a HCP and they use it on humans too.

I actually have tried it after seeing a recommendation from someone on here and I think it soothed it a bit! it didn’t help the infection obviously but it definitely gave some relief. It’s amazing how helpful simple things like honey, oats etc can be x

OP posts:
Original poster
Brownhair3 · 01/03/2023 21:36

This is it tonight, very similar to last night.

Starting to wonder if this could be a bug that’s resistant to antibiotics like mrsa, does anyone know if this is what it’s usually like?

OP posts:
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