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Original poster

9 day old, red swollen finger and yellow pus

23 replies

Zka · 27/05/2022 20:48

Hi,

My LO is 9 days old. He's jaundiced and has reflux but otherwise okay. He's feeding on breast fine (8-10 times a day) and around 5-6 dirty nappies per day (sometimes more).

This afternoon I noticed the pus around the nail (see image). I called the GP as they were closing and sent them a picture.

The GP said wash it with sterile water and see how it goes. He prescribed antibiotics and said if it gets worse or spreads over the weekendtl to use them.

Now I'm worried because I don't like the idea of waiting to see if an infection gets worse on my 9 day old!

So I went to pharmacy for him to say he couldn't dispense the medication because it should say 3 times a day and not 4.

So now I'm stuck. Do I just clean it se how it goes like the doctor says. Or go to a and e, get it looked at properly and get some antibiotics at the right dose.

Has anyone been through this?

(Photo: red swollen index finger, with pus under and around the nail)

OP posts:
Saltnsauceta · 27/05/2022 20:52

I'd go to a&e tbh. I've found that with young babies, especially days old, they'd much rather see you and it be ok than not. Previously, I'd have suggested calling out of hours but I've done this twice now for my baby (now 1) and both times, after many hours, they sent me to a&e 🤦‍♀️. My hospital has a special children's a&e so have a look to see if yours does too.

Hugasauras · 27/05/2022 20:54

Paronychia. It most likely does need the antibiotics for such a small baby so I would call out of hours.

PragmaticWench · 27/05/2022 20:55

There was someone on here a week ago with similar in a newborn, apparently it's fairly common. I think you'd need to get an out of hours GP appointment, unless your local surgery have any Saturday appointments?

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MarvelMrs · 27/05/2022 20:55

I would go to A&E with that as looks reasonably large area for a little finger. Also looks extremely red so definitely infected. Hospitals are usually excellent with very young babies. Cautious approach is definitely best.

Fuckitydoodah · 27/05/2022 20:55

Kate Lawler's (on Instagram) daughter had this I think when she was a similar age and had to be given some pretty strong antibiotics administered at a hospital. There's a name for it which I can't remember. I'd take your baby to a&e. An infection can take hold very quickly at that age.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 27/05/2022 20:56

I would also go to get this checked my a
doctor tonight

NrlySp · 27/05/2022 20:57

Agreed A&E

Hugasauras · 27/05/2022 20:57

The pic has just loaded for me. I would go to A&E with that. It looks like a nasty infection for such a small baby and I wouldn't want to risk anything with a newborn. They can go downhill rapidly.

danni0509 · 27/05/2022 20:58

3 year old I’d wait for a little while, but not a 9 day old, I would get that seen straight away.

Bless him hope it’s cleared up soon.

12weekstoloseweight · 27/05/2022 21:03

Poor little mite!! Far too little to have a sore finger like that. Off to A&E for you lot I think.

Hope LO gets the antibiotics they need soon and it starts to clear up. What a shame! Bet that’s really sore :(

Original poster
Zka · 27/05/2022 21:16

Thanks for the quick replies. Just called 111 from the advice of mat triage.

An out of hours GP is calling me within the hour. I'm in two minds right now and want to rush him to a and e (we have a children's one until 11pm I think).

But I guess I'll wait, I imagine they will just tell me to go to a and e anyway. He does feel a bit hotter than usual and is a bit more sleepy thank usual.

I just can't believe a trained GP would tell me to see how an infection goes on a 9 day old...

OP posts:
Morechocmorechoc · 27/05/2022 21:17

Mine had a toe like that at 2. I waited putting antibiotic topical on it. It didn't work and still ended with antibiotics. You shoukd get them now for such a little one. Things can turn nasty fast re infections

CoCoBeBe · 27/05/2022 21:23

Aren't you still under midwife care at 9 days? I'd give them a call and see if they can see him as they might call a Dr to treat quicker than waiting

AlternativelyWired · 27/05/2022 22:06

That must be so painful poor little mite. It needs antibiotics. Get to a&e. (Retired nurse).

Saltnsauceta · 27/05/2022 22:40

Honestly, don't wait - they'll just tell you to go to a&e where you will now sit until the early hours. Quicker you can get there the better as there's a lot of waiting involved.

dreamyunicorn · 27/05/2022 22:45

Hope he's ok and been seen in hospital by now.

Lochjeda · 27/05/2022 22:48

When my son was a few days old he got a staph infection start spreading round the cord and across the tummy. The docs prescribed antibiotics and he was throwing up projectile after the two times I have him it. I called 111 and the woman was so rude to me she made me cry and hang up and made out I was over reacting (baby blues had set in also but zi was super concerned about my newborn with staph infection rapidly spreading) I thought bugger this and took him to the a and e that had kids ward. They took us straight away and checked him over and checked and the doctor had given the wrong antibiotics and that was why he was bringing it up.

Moral of the story is, they said to me I was absolutely right to follow my gut instinct with such a tiny baby and not to wait. Theyd rather see him straight away and possibly have a little time wasted making sure he is okay than risk missing something that needs treated before it gets worse as things can take hold with little baby fast. So id just go.

choosername1234 · 27/05/2022 23:03

Are you breastfeeding? Bathe it with breast milk at every opportunity (as well as seeking medical advice). Breast milk contains antibodies and your body will have picked up that his body is fighting an infection and the breast milk will contain antibodies specific to that infection - it really is magic stuff!

Happytap · 27/05/2022 23:08

Agree - straight to a&e

Original poster
Zka · 28/05/2022 01:18

Update: Didn't wait for our of hours to call (ended up calling at midnight!).

Went to Children's A&E. Doctor said OBS were fine (not indicative of an infection). They said there has been a break in the skin (not cut his nails so I don't know how) and there's pus formed in that region. So I'm not sure of that it is infected or not.

He gave me a 7 day course of antibiotics for LO (penicillin, which I'm allergic to so I hope he's not!).

So I guess I will give him the antibiotics and follow doctor's orders. But my mind is in overdrive now because I know flucloxacillin can cause cholestatic jaundice and he already has jaundice. Can this make it worse? I'm unsure??

He's my first baby so I'm really anxious which I'm sure everyone can understand. I just want the best for him. Now my partner is giving me shit (she's had 2 before), she's making out like I'm some kind of hyperchondriac but he's my first son, I almost feel like I can't worry....

OP posts:
quietnightmare · 28/05/2022 01:28

Glad baby is ok. Do what the doctor says but if you are not sure or need more reassurance then call 111 again and ask them. They would rather you call than worry

Sqeebling · 28/05/2022 01:33

You've done the right thing. Always trust your instincts. You've got the right antibiotics for now and they tend to work very quickly.

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