Rapidly spreading skin infection under arm. Help. (Photo warning)

[Nc809173]

Hi all

I have seen the GP twice.
5 days ago I had this rash under my arm. Went to pharmacy who advised GP. The GP rang me and prescribed antibiotic cream which did nothing and it has spread even further and gotten worse. I went to the see the GP today who only glanced at it. He did however give me oral antibiotics and more antibiotic cream, he didn't know what it actually was though.

My concern is this; since this morning (I photographed it) it has spread upwards and downwards and I think on my arm too. I also now have a 'spot' on my side, near where my bra sits.

There is no tracking of redness but this rash thing is definitely spreading. I feel pretty rotten and run down too.

I have started ABs and put cream on. My question is, do I wait and see and take the medication or do I go back before? It's the spreading that's worrying me.

Sorry for the photos. I included the before from 5 days ago.

Thanks all

Thank you. My DH seems to think I'm mad saying Shingles! But I'll give them a ring and see what they say soon

Opticians ruled out uveitis (I've had it before, unfortunately).

I'm just nervous because surely the GP would have said shingles? Although he didn't really ask much and was rushing me. No idea what to say to 111! 'hi I think I have shingles?'

Thanks all :)

I think shingles

It looks just like how my son was with shingles recently, one side and spreading. His eyes were sore too.

Yes. It's shingles, and you need immediate treatment.

yes just ring 111 and say you think you have shingles. You need meds tonight OP the faster into your system the better.

I'm just on hold to 111 now. Thank you all. Will update.

You poor thing, that looks really sore! Hope 111 will sort you out 🙏

I came to say I think it could be shingles

dermnet is a good source of images - does look like shingles you need an antiviral ASAP it looks like a bad case. I still have scars from mine and it was miniscule compared to yours - DermDiag

I'm waiting for an out of hours GP to call me. Feeling pretty rubbish!

I imagine they will want to see me? Will they send me to hospital? I have DC to think of so need to be prepared.

Sorry, unsure what to do in this situation!

@Nc809173
Sorry, unsure what to do in this situation!

Let them advise. You really need a proper diagnosis in order to get the right treatment.

If it is shingles, the antiviral can still help.

Hope can now be resolved for you.

She said she won't see me because she's 2 doctors short and 12 appointments only for emergencies and this isn't an emergency as I've seen a GP today.

I really don't think you'd feel this bad with a fungal infection, make sure you show them the spreading and your eyes, I'd say it's shingles over fungal but just make sure they pay attention to you properly.

Do you have a walk in centre nearby?
If not I would go to the pharmacy and have someone check you there, they can give you treatments for certain things and I'm 99% sure Shingles is one of them.

Also think shingles. See a pharmacist in the morning and they can prescribe the antivirals. Meanwhile I’d dose yourself up with paracetamol and codeine if you have some and keep the area clean and covered.

Girl at this stage I’d just got A&E get it under control asap, especially as you have children etc. you’re being told many different things. a&E have more experience etc

I don't. I only have A&E and then 111 and the pharamcy is shut near me. Unless I drive to a tesco etc and go to the pharmacy there.

Go to a pharmacy that offers the Pharmacy First programme - they can diagnose and prescribe for shingles directly

Can you phone the Tesco pharmacy first and explain, then ask if there is anyone to visibly assess you for shingles, it would be a shame to waste a journey.

Is it just on the one side of body? Definitely looks like shingles. You need acivilor (idk how you spell it) they can prescribe it from the pharmacy.

I think shingles too, but I don't think it's occular shingles or the rash would be around your eye. Go to a pharmacy in the morning.

Oh poor you. I also think that's a shingles rash and you need antivirals asap. Hope you get sorted soon.

I think given that you are on biologics and are immunosuppressed I would head to A and E as you can’t be too careful (I have similar health issues). It’s very different if you have these things, the risk of sepsis and escalation is higher.

Did you tell her you’re on biologics? All the info I have (also on them) says that contact with chickenpox or shingles has to be reported to hospital immediately. I really think you need to push this. Hope you manage to get seen tonight.

If you're on immuno suppressants you need to be seen asap. My medication has a specific warning for chicken pox and shingles. Have you told 111 that you're taking them?