Medical treatment when self isolating

[Imkindreally]

Has anyone dithered about when to seek medical advice due to self isolating < close contact notification via app -‘no symptoms myself >

I think I am having an allergic reaction to balloons I blew up last night - I’ve woken up with a sore face, rash / flushing all over my mouth / nose area, itching like mad and my skin feels tight.

I’ve washed my face and mouth well just in case, taken an antihistamine- usually I’d pop along to a pharmacy to get checked if I need medical attention but obv that’s not an option in isolation. Reluctant to call 111 as I find they tend to send an ambulance for everything and I def don’t think that’s needed.

Sorry for the likely obvious question it’s been an awful week for various reasons and I feel like my brain just won’t process a common sense approach. Currently my plan is to leave it unless I get wheezing / shortness of breath obv in which case I’d call immediately

You are going to have to call 111 as everything is now booked through them from Walk-ins, Minor Injuries etc. Or you go to A+E although I think in Wales that is also booked appts as well.

I only got into my local Walk-in, not knowing the system, by waving my massive blood dripping hand at them through the door.

Do you know you have a latex allergy? If you know you have it, how bad does it normally get?

If it's new to you, definitely medical treatment.

Oh gosh hope the hand is ok now?!

I was diagnosed with a “ sensitivity” years ago but have never had a reaction and following 2 operations last year the staff said it was likely the meds I was allergic to not the latex and it was coincidental. I generally am cautious regardless but I may of had a glass or two of wine and then the birthday boy begged for balloons and mum guilt + wine = a embarrassingly stupid decision. Any other reaction I’ve had has just been red sore face itchy face so I’m hoping with the face wash / removal of balloons and antihistamines I’ll be fine.

I think the guilt is probably what’s made me anxious - I know it was very stupid to take an assumption as fact and take the risk I am worried about needing any medical attention for my own stupidity. As I said -
Rough week that I’ve made worse

Also thank you - I feel assured now I can just call 111’if needed!

Take another antihistamine, and keep an eye on your breathing. Any change to that and call 111.

And obviously if you struggle to breathe call 999!

Thank you for being so kind and helpful - promise not to be an idiot again

As per @DarcyLewis you can take more than one anti-histamine in a day. I have urticaria and often take more than one cetirizine if it's bad.

Hand - do not rescue a trapped cat with your bare hands. Ended up with iv antibiotics. Idiot.

ouch! That sounds painful. Have taken another and thankfully no swollen tongue / throat / wheezing or anything. Just a red blotchy face and tight feeling skin < no swelling >

Oh poor, that sounds nasty. I think based on what you’ve said so far I’d just keep on top of the anti histamines and hope it continues to pass. Is someone there with you just in case you decline?

If you need to ring 111 do- they will have processed in place where you can still be seen safely.

Yes my husbands here to keep an eye - he’s striking a balance between being kind and sympathetic and also revelling in the fact that for once it’s me making a poor life choice

So you have any antihistamine in?

Yes I’ve now taken 2

How are you OP?

Do you know the close contact? My daughter got a close contact notification via the app but she had not been out of the house due to a serious leg injury. It disappeared after 3 days as mysteriously as it came. There were not even cases in the house we are attached to. I keep to the rules and have done several stints of self isolation (in preparation for her surgery) but there was absolutely no way that she had reason to isolate.

If you have antihistamines in the house take some, so many hours later it isn't an acute reaction. Could someone drop some off to you otherwise?

It’s thankfully not gotten any worse and is just sore and feels like a sunburn :/ will take another antihistamine before bed.

Re the close contact not a clue - I know it’s from a restaurant I went to as the date given that’s literally the only time I left the house - however the people I was with none of them got a notification and so haven’t had to isolate

It isn’t a legal requirement to isolate on an app notification presumably because of these glitches with their algorithm. It is only a legal requirement if you are informed by NHS track and trace or the public health authorities. When my other daughter’s boyfriend had Covid she had phone calls and follow up emails. I certainly wouldn’t let an app notification stop you seeking medical help. When we looked it up whilst the official advice was that you should isolate (because on a national level that is going to have an impact on transmission) but there was also the admission that these glitches can happen.

Thank you that’s handy to know!

This is why I deleted the app, it's really not fit for purpose. I am happy to leave my details for test and trace but I'm not prepared to isolate because of the app.

I hope you're feeling better OP. I have really bad hay fever and was told by my GP that I can take up to 4 antihistamines a day (I'm not suggesting you take that many!). I can't take the prescription strength ones so I take 2-3 ceterizine a day.