Infected bite, when to get further help?

[HamHand]

Forgive the name change, this is hugely outing as many of my friends are now aware of my ham hand. I emptied the paddling pool yesterday morning and in the process got a tiny little cut, it looked like a very fine paper cut, about 2mm long. By the late afternoon it had swollen slightly, and by evening it was a definite lump. I’ve woken this morning to a hugely swollen hand with a very obvious, weeping bite. I’ve been to the minor injuries unit and have antibiotics but since I’ve been it’s got much worse, I can now see it tracking down my wrist and I’ve had to take my watch off to accommodate the swelling. I also feel a bit shivery and unwell in the last half hour. Is it safe to assume that the antibiotics will get this under control, or should I be thinking A & E? Picture of both hands was this morning, one ham hand is just now, I can’t make a fist at all, and when my arm is down my hand is agony.

That's an A&E job for definite.

Yep, I’d also head to A&E for that as it’s worsening so quickly

A and E for sure! Not worth waiting I would get myself down there!
Hope all ok, let us know how you get on

another vote for A&E.

A&E for tracking.

I wouldn't expect the antibiotics to have kicked in yet but your symptoms are worse than yesterday and it's not worth the risk of waiting.

draw a line in biro where the tracking ends.

Agree that it's an A&E visit. As it's tracking, draw a line round the red part with a pen and note the time by it. You'll need IV antibiotics if it's grown in a short period of time.

Thanks everyone. I don’t want this to turn into one of those threads where everyone’s shouting a&e and the op is happily ignoring so I’ll call DH to come home now and ask someone to come look after the littles. I’ll also get the biro out. I just didn’t know if a&e was being dramatic, apparently not, thanks for the reassurance x

I was went in A&E for very similar and sent away (misdiagnosed as allergic reaction) but two hours later it started tracking up my arm and I was back to A&E and admitted very quickly for IV antibiotics for a few days.

Good luck at A&E

I just didn’t know if a&e was being dramatic, apparently not, thanks for the reassurance

I have had cellulitis about 5 or 6 times after insect bites (apparently after the first time you’re more likely to keep getting it). The advice has always been if, after starting the antibiotics, it get worse, the straight back to A and E. Hope you get sorted quickly OP.

Definitely a&e
I've currently got one on my ankle, my whole ankle is swollen red and blistered, I've been to the doctors and was given antibiotics.
Let us know how you get on

A and e. Good luck.

Bloody hell!!! I hope you're in A&E now!

Yep, waiting in A&E. no one seems remotely bothered by how much it’s spread, my previously lily white watch strap tan line is now completely red and the tracking is halfway up my arm on the outside. Triage nurse didn’t actually get the thermometer in my ear, just in its general area. I’m a bit worried they’re going to miss something serious. I’m feeling nauseous and faint in waves.

My beautiful hand

Poor you, looks terrible - hope they sort it soon!

any update OP ?
if you have had no action, go to desk and tell them you are worried about sepsis.
tell them how you are feeling, dizzy, nauseous etc.

I was seen just after my last message. They’re keeping me in but I’ve been sat in a corridor now for two hours with a cannula in but no line! I’m just sat like a lemon waiting for someone to start antibiotics. DH has had to go home

Glad you are being seen even though nothing seems to be happening and being kept in.
Hope you get some antibiotics soon

Finally had the line in, and seen a doctor. Apparently my blood has no infection markers?! They didn’t really explain what that meant but they said to themselves if the swelling was there in the morning they’d involve plastics. They asked if I was diabetic and have now asked for blood glucose to be checked. Can anyone shed light on this? I didn’t feel I could ask as they were talking to themselves and I’ve been feeling a bit pathetic since DH left. I have a slight temperature but I feel absolutely freezing. The tracking is now almost to my armpit

I hope you are ok Ham and managing a little sleep

How odd there's no infection markers. Almost to your armpit! Poor you

Absolutely no chance of sleep, I’m right by the nurses station and there’s no attempt at all to keep the noise down. By anyone. I’m still in the emergency department but there’s not many patients as far as I can tell. I’m going to be knackered tomorrow. I still feel weepy, I guess because I’m just so tired. No idea if I’m meant to have any more medicine, the first lot of antibiotics went through very quickly, noones even done my obs since the initial triage when we got here.

Hang on in there. You are n the best place.

Aaaaahhh poor you. Can you text anyone and ask for a little care package of ear plugs, ear pods, phone charger, chocolate, book etc? I'd do this for my friend like a shot.