Do manky toes/fingers warrant an emergency GP appointment?

[piprabbit]

DS (4yo) bites his finger and toe nails.
For the first time ever, he has infections around two fingers and his big toe. I think he has snagged them while biting the nail, but he is very run down after a virus and has succumbed to infections.

It started off just round the nail and was fairly stable so I booked a non-emergency appointment for next Tuesday in case it hadn't cleared up.
But now the infection on his toe is spreading slowly (over the last 48 hours) towards the joint.

Do you think the time has come to try and get an emergency appt. for tomorrow (Friday) or is it reasonable to carry on waiting until after the weekend?

A wee bump before I go to bed.
Thanks.

I would get an earlier appt if it is spreading, especially if it is spreading in lines

Why don't you try speaking to a pharmacist in the morning. It may be something they can treat via minor illnesses or at least give a more educated recommendation as to whether it requires an emergency appointment.

If it's moving down towards the joint I'd go and see the GP tomorrow if you can - one of mine got an infected toe after ripping off the nail and got a course of ABs to sort it out:)

Thanks Norma - it's not spreading in lines really. It's more that he seems to get a small blister of pus just under the top layer of skin, which sloughs off within hours and leaves that area red and sore. Then he gets another blister a bit further away and it repeats.

He's also got mouth ulcers which is unusual for him.

I think I'll have to call the GP in the morning.

If it's lines you are supposed to draw a dot at end with time on it and I think you have to go to a&e because (I think) it becomes blood poisoning which is very serious-I'm basing this on the things you should know thread from yesterday.

If I wait to speak the pharmacist when they open just after 9am, I'll have missed all the emergency appointments (usually booked up by 8:30am).

Thanks for the suggestion though Casmama - perhaps I could have popped in this afternoon if I'd though it through.

Dd gets skin infections from cuts and infected around toes -have needed emergency appointments and antibiotics ime.

Yep definitely see Gp he needs antibiotics

If you aren't sure where to go, ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 to get expert advice on how to best treat him.

What did you do, OP?

An infection tracking upwards needs to be seen ASAP.

Hope he's OK.

At our practice they don't tend to call the "emergency" appointments, they are "book on the day" They are for things that can't wait - I can often not get an appointment with my doctor within the two week booking period so am advised to call in the morning and book on the day - its a bit of a lottery though.

If i were you, id not leave this

oh, and could always ask to see nurse practitioner as well if no docs appointments. I often do this if i "Just" have a cold or similar.

Took him in for an emergency appt. this morning. The doctor looked scandalised at my lax parenting and sent us away with a prescription for ABs.

After visiting four chemists and spending 2 hours traipsing around, I've finally got the prescription filled. Hoping that he will have healthy pink fingers and toes soon. It's the first time one of my DC has had ABs, so I'm not sure if there will be any residual effects on his tummy.

Thank you everyone who replied - it really did help when I was doubting myself.