Should I call this an emergency?

[youkiddingme]

Need to phone GP today - this usually entails waiting on phone for up to an hour, and possibly not getting an appointment - ring again tomorrow. I'm a bit worried about leaving this:
What started out as some ingrown leg hairs has worsened to angry red patches up to the size of a full hand, rapidly growing, hot, and swollen. 111 says contact GP asap today.
So on the GPs menu it's 1 for emergencies and home visits, 2 for appointments, etc. Would you call this an emergency? I tend to equate that with having life-threatening symptoms - but that would be 999 - so?

Yes I’d use the emergency option for that

I would go to a local health centre as soon as they open, if you can.

Our local hospital has a minor injuries dept, they will triage and send you through to the G.P or a nurse.

This sounds like cellulitis - yes I'd call that an emergency. You need antibiotics asap.

Thanks folks. I hate to be a drama queen but it seems a bit scary. I'll make sure I see somebody today.

Wouldn’t wait for GP. I’d just go to A&E and wait (that’s if is the patch keeps spreading and if you’re in pain/any other symptoms come on).

Emergency appointment with GP means something the needs seeing the same day. You definitely qualify!

Draw a line around the infection so you can keep track of how quickly it is spreading.

when you call, press 1, tell the receptionist that 111 advises that you are seen today - you will be seen today (or send photo in if your local GP is still doing that due to covid). Get well soon..

I'd go to a&e if I was you

Or if you do the emergency option with GP I'd phrase it as 111 says I must be seen today not just advises. The receptionists can be hard to convince so you can't make it optional. If it's spreading though I'd not hang around hoping they answer the phone

I had this from an ingrowing hair. As a word of warning my leg was exactly as you described. Got antibiotics for cellulitis but as I’d left it a while the infection tracked in to my bone. It was very painful and a whole load of antibiotics to sort it. Def an emergency.

Thanks again peeps. I have some antibiotics and some ointment.