A&E?

[BurfdayCaked]

I burned myself with hot water on Sunday.

By Tuesday the burn was looking very weepy and there was a lot of redness around it, so I tried to get an emergency GP appointment, but there was nothing available.

I called 111 and was advised to go to A&E. When I got there I waited 2 hours to be triaged and was then advised it was a 5 hour average wait and to go home and try to get an emergency GP appointment the following day instead.

On Wednesday I again tried but couldn’t get a GP or urgent care appointment, so called 111 again and they asked for a photo of the burn, said it looked infected and agreed to prescribe a strong antibiotic over the phone.

I’ve been taking it since Weds afternoon, along with painkillers, but the burn is still so sore and weepy and the redness is spreading.

I don’t have a temperature and feel OK.
Do you think I should go back to A&E?
Or do I need to leave it longer for the antibiotics to kick in?

I’ve never had a burn before so not sure how seriously I should be taking it!

You need it looking at and at least a dressing putting on. Can't 111 make you an appointment somewhere either at another GP surgery or an urgent care centre? I've heard they can make you an appointment at a&e but don't know about this

Spreading redness can be cellulitis. Draw around the red mark (so you can monitor spread) and call 111. If it’s spreading and hot it could be cellulitis which needs prompt (I.e out of hours) antibiotics

Thanks for the replies, both.

I do have proper burns dressings that I’m changing twice a day. The redness (possible cellulitis) has very slightly spread further since I started in the antibiotics.

111 can make me an appointment at ‘urgent care’ but it’s within A&E and you basically get triaged within an hour or so but then join A&E to see a doctor with the same waiting time. No surgeries within my area would see a minor burn out of hours, apparently .

I think I’ll see how it develops overnight and maybe call 111 in the morning.

Thank you .

Ask a chemist perhaps.

I would go and wait to see a doctor at A&E. make sure phone is charged, take headphones and some snacks.

Speaking from experience of significant second degree burns over Christmas you need proper burns dressings that are aimed at keeping the burn moist because otherwise they crack and scab. These dressings are held by minor injuries and major A&E units only. It may be a long wait in hospital but it will be well worth it for the healing that follows. Mine were extensive after boiling water burns to the abdomen and leg. I attended a major A & E and the wrong dressings were applied. I went to minor injuries two days later and the nurses were very experienced with dressings and healing management and after 6 weeks I was out of dressings and the scarring is far better than it could have been. I insist you go to the nearest minor injuries or walk in centre it will be worth it