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Original poster

What is this hole in my sons leg? (Pic included)

26 replies

Steggers123 · 27/05/2017 13:58

My 17 year old son finally gave in to the heat yesterday and wore shorts, I noticed that he has what appears to be quite a deep hole on his leg. He said it's been there a couple of weeks and he hasn't said anything because it's not bothering him. He doesn't recollect hurting himself, any ideas what it could be, insect bite maybe, could it be an ulcer (but surely he's too young). He's adamant he won't go to the doctor.

OP posts:
kingjofferyworksintescos · 27/05/2017 13:59

Tick bite ? Best to get it checked

Wolfiefan · 27/05/2017 14:00

The red looks like infection. He needs to get it checked out.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 27/05/2017 14:02

I would dollop a load of Savlon or TCP on that and check again tomorrow. If any better then I would carry on keeping clean and applying Savlon. The second it looks worse I would see the pharmacist. Looks like a bite that's gone nasty.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 27/05/2017 14:03

Keep a close eye that the red doesn't spread further.

Original poster
Steggers123 · 27/05/2017 14:19

It was sixth form prom last night so there was no way he was going any where near the doctor or walk in centre so I made sure it was clean and covered, it doesn't look any worse today so I'm going to show him this thread and tell him if it's no better tomorrow he's going to the walk in centre. The men in my family are so frustratingly stubborn when it comes to getting themselves checked out!

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 27/05/2017 14:21

I had a spider bite which looked similar.

Why do teens insist nothing hurts? ConfusedGrin

CountryCaterpillar · 27/05/2017 14:22

I have one that's similar after a bite. It's not spread (but still red) so assume it will go away eventually....

CloudPerson · 27/05/2017 14:25

Is it a scab that he keeps picking?
(Only asking as I sometimes have picked scabs that look like that Blush)

Original poster
Steggers123 · 27/05/2017 14:26

Dame give me a toddler over a teenager any day!

OP posts:
Original poster
Steggers123 · 27/05/2017 14:28

Cloud, I didn't think about that so it could be. Sometimes it just has to be done!

OP posts:
senua · 27/05/2017 14:30

He's adamant he won't go to the doctor.

Can you persuade him to see a chemist instead. Bribe him with the promise of Lynx or something?Grin

LorLorr2 · 27/05/2017 14:32

Oh I would get that checked out!

Haffdonga · 27/05/2017 14:35

Infected bite.

All mine do that. Lovely.

CountryCaterpillar · 27/05/2017 14:38

Mine was similar but they didn't want to do antibiotics unless it was spreading (I drew around the red bit) if he's had it for weeks and it's not spread it's hardly likely to is it? Or have I got wrong info?! I saw a nurse practicioner.

megletthesecond · 27/05/2017 14:43

Possible tick bite? He should see a gp.

PollyPerky · 27/05/2017 14:49

It will only be a tick if you live in an area where there are ticks.

It could be anything from a bite to a boil to an infected hair follicle. It looks as if it's been picked- the hole!

Has he picked it? Was it a spot?

I'd apply antiseptic cream, and if the leg swells or the redness increases over his calf, see a dr .

rainbowstardrops · 27/05/2017 14:50

I had something similar looking a few years back. Happened while I was in bed. My GP was adamant that it was a horsefly bite but we had a very strange looking spider type thing downstairs the next morning.
I ended up having three lots of antibiotics because it just wouldn't heal and still have the round scar to this day.
He needs to get it checked out

Original poster
Steggers123 · 27/05/2017 15:30

I think it's the depth of it that's worried me, it's seems too deep for him to have picked a scab off and the edges look too smooth. Am now checking the house for strange looking spiders!

OP posts:
CountryCaterpillar · 27/05/2017 16:00

It does look like my bite - one day there was red (and purple) and the next day a hole, I have no idea how it became a hole as it didn't have spot or raised bit in the first place.

If he gets checked out I'd be curious what they say. My nurse practicioner didn't have much clue other than to draw around it and they'd prescribe antibiotics if it spread.

It was definitely a bite as initially it itched would love to know what it was.ive just tried to find a photo- found the initial bruising but not the hole! It's a lot smaller now.

CountryCaterpillar · 27/05/2017 16:03

Before and now (hole is less holelike as it's improving. Been at least 3 weeks though.

Original poster
Steggers123 · 27/05/2017 18:08

Country, that does look similar. I'll let you know what they say if I can get past the 'I'm 18 in a few weeks so you have to let me make my own decisions'

OP posts:
uthredswife · 27/05/2017 18:12

A family member of mine had a similar spider bite. She got a cream etc and it still didn't clear up. Turns out she had pyoderma gangrenosum. Please get your son to go to the doc. Obviously it's more likely to be a bite but you can't be sure

pombal · 27/05/2017 18:18

It looks like an infected bite.
If he really won't go to doctor try soaking it in warm, salty water everyday then put iodine on it.
If it's not improving in a day or two or it spreads he has to see someone.

stuntcamel · 27/05/2017 18:25

Take a pen and draw a line around the red area. If it starts to spread wider, then you will have to persuade him that yes, he does need to see someone. Would he tolerate going to a chemist and showing it to the pharmacist?

rainbowstardrops · 28/05/2017 08:28

Yes mine was very deep too. Took an absolute age to clear up and like I said yesterday, I still have the round scar to this day.
Did you find any strange looking spiders? GrinShock