Infected spot - how to help before antibiotics?

[PinkGrapefruitSorbet]

Morning! Hoping to draw on the niche wisdom of sporner's corner for an infected spot that my teen DS has. It's on the side of his nose but the area under his eye has become puffy.

We took him to the pharmacist this morning but they said it needs oral antibiotics and to call 111. DH is on hold to 111 now, but from what I've heard of waiting times and the fact that it's Christmas Eve, I'm wondering how we should treat this if we can't get hold of antibiotics until Boxing Day.

Would a warm compress be a good idea? Mag sulph paste (we have some in the house)?

Any ideas much appreciated!

Just to add, I've booked him an online GP appointment but the earliest I could get was tomorrow evening (Xmas day) and then the earliest I could get a prescription to an open pharmacy would be Boxing Day morning. So we potentially have 48 hours to manage the situation until then.

You need to be very careful if the infection is near his eye. I think NHS 111 is your best bet but I appreciate that you will have a long wait.

Is there a minor injuries unit anywhere near you? We have one at a small hospital near us and this is the sort of thing they treat. You don't need an appointment and the wait times are less than A&E.

Good luck.

Thanks @Lavendersquare - we have urgent care rolled in with a&e round here, but you can only access it with an appointment via 111. 111 answered the phone (after a two hour wait) and a clinician is calling us back at some point. Really hoping it's while a pharmacy is still open.

There should be a rota for a pharmacy to be open somewhere after hours.

Google the local pharmacy Christmas rota in your area. There will be one open somewhere, might be a bit of a drive though. Call them before you travel, I needed a pharmacy last Christmas and went to the one advertised as open - it wasn’t!

Thanks all. He has an appointment this afternoon at urgent care, so we think there shouldn't be a problem getting to the pharmacy now.

Did you get sorted?