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Children's health

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Original poster

Weird mark (like a bite? scabbed spot?) with strange spreading mark around it...?

29 replies

WilfSell · 19/11/2009 19:20

DS has a mystery scabby mark on his leg. Like a scabbed over spot or bite. I wouldn't normally worry, but I notice there is a weird mark all around it also, like a 'collar' of bruising or summat. It is more like a grey or purple ring about 2-3mm away from the scabby bit. It almost looks like the mark you get when paint or ink spreads on wet paper IYSWIM... I have never seen anything like it before

Is this some kind of weird bite? Or does it sound like an infection? I am a bit about taking him to GP when they're SO busy right now if I'm wasting their time.

Any advice gratefully received! Thanks.

OP posts:
badietbuddy · 19/11/2009 19:21

My dd had a thing like this on her leg. I took her to the GP who said it was a boil, and he popped it there and then

MerryWifeOfWindsor · 19/11/2009 19:24

Sounds (to me) like it's something that's abit infected. DS scratched my boob and it went into a big hole with red all around [yuk].

somebodyelseentirely · 19/11/2009 19:25

impetigo?

TaLcSfromTheCrypt3 · 19/11/2009 19:26

I was going to suggest impetigo too.

Impetigo?

Original poster
WilfSell · 19/11/2009 19:28

Thanks for your responses. I think DS1 had impetigo before now but it looked different. The purple bit is in/under the skin (really difficult to describe)

But anyway, sounds like a trip to GP is in order huh?

Thanks.

OP posts:
bran · 19/11/2009 19:29

Has he been anywhere that there might be ticks? If there's any chance that he could have had a tick then get it checked out as it could be an early indicator of Lymes disease. As far as I know it can be easily treated with antibiotics in the early stages, but there can be complications if it's not treated for a long time.

ThisTooShallPass · 19/11/2009 19:30

Could it be a tick? Has he been to the woods or some long-grassy type place in the last few weeks?

If there is any chance it's a tick you need to phone NHS direct for advice now.

ThisTooShallPass · 19/11/2009 19:31

oops, x bran baby distraction

Original poster
WilfSell · 19/11/2009 19:34

Can you pick up ticks at this time of year? I'm 'eeking' a bit now. NHS direct busy, only answering urgent calls. Will go on their website first...

We live in quite a wooded area and we have been out for a few walks in different places...

OP posts:
ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 19/11/2009 19:36

Could potentially be something fungal.

The bad news is that you really need the GP to look at it; the good news is that it can't possibly be all of the hideous things we're suggesting...

Original poster
WilfSell · 19/11/2009 19:43

Jeez, i really wish I hadn't Googled it.

Not looking like impetigo, looking more like an infected tick bite actually but not so red. This isn't urgent urgent right? Something that could be dealt with tomorrow morning?

OP posts:
bran · 19/11/2009 19:50

Yes, I think so long as it's treated early it's fine, but that's early in terms of weeks rather than minutes or hours. I don't think you need to rush to A&E or anything.

Pennies · 19/11/2009 19:50

Get it seen to tomorrow if you can before the weekend.

fishflange · 19/11/2009 19:54

ringworm? not a worm btw

DidEinsteinsMum · 19/11/2009 20:00

I would get it checked asap as if it is a tick bite it will net to be treated asap. Before the weekend is really needed. If not at GP out of hours definetly. They do treat for ticks at a&E having sat for hours on various summers whilst waiting for ds to have ticks removed.

RumourOfAHurricane · 19/11/2009 20:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Littlefish · 19/11/2009 20:09

I was going to suggest ringworm as well.

picture here

Tick bite

Original poster
WilfSell · 19/11/2009 20:40

Thanks again. No don't think it is ringworm: it has a central tiny scab (have looked very closely but if it had a body attached it has been picked fallen off.

And the 'collar'/halo is much more like bruising under the skin, blueish in tone, not at all red or pink or yellowish or crusty like the ringworm and impetigo.

Increasingly think this is infected bite of some sort. Will ring GP first thing or if they're too busy go to the local Walk-In...

OP posts:
theyoungvisiter · 19/11/2009 20:50

could it be lyme disease?

this has a v characteristic bullseye rash, with the original bite at the centre and a gradually spreading ring all around. It is not itchy or anything.

pic here

I've had lyme disease and it's very easy to treat with a course of antibiotics. (Don't google it though! There are lots of horror stories, mainly related to untreated lyme disease).

Doctors can be quite resistant to testing for it though, for some weird reason and it is important to get ABs as soon as possible. Having said that, I wasn't treated until 5 months after the bite and am fine.

Original poster
WilfSell · 19/11/2009 20:53

Thanks TYV, that is reassuring. I will be very insistent about finding out about it. But good to know it is easily treatable.

It does look a bit like that bullseye business but quite small and bluer but it's the most accurate depiction so far...

OP posts:
alypaly · 20/11/2009 10:18

not sure if this link will work...does it look like one of these.www.webmd.com/allergies/slideshow-bad-bugs

alypaly · 20/11/2009 10:21

picture 11

alypaly · 20/11/2009 10:21

sounds like a grass flea bite

theyoungvisiter · 20/11/2009 10:22

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurh! Aly you should have posted a warning! I am feelign my breakfast moving uneasily - and I itch all over. Shudder...

alypaly · 20/11/2009 10:27

sorry....youre late eating brekky

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