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Visit to A&E following dog bite

Posted By Conradmf41

"Visit to A&E following dog bite"

About: Pilgrim Hospital / Accident and emergency

(as the patient),

In August I was nipped on the little finger of my left hand by my dog. The nip drew blood. My wife cleaned the wound. The next day there was no pain and the hand felt normal. On the Friday there was swelling over the whole of the hand.

Went to A&E. Check in at Reception and Triage was good. Acute Care Nurse checked for normal hand/finger function and sent for X-Ray. She said no infection as swelling not enough but I said it was my main concern as it was going up my arm. No reaction! Asked if I wanted any more pain killers which I declined.

On the Monday saw my GP as swelling and pain much worse. She gave me 2 antibiotics and said with dog bites you must always assume there is infection - and told me I do have an infection quite badly.

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Update posted by Conradmf41 (the patient)

Apparently Michael Brunton is on holiday for two weeks but his staff have promised to get back to me early next week. My main concerns with my treatment at A&E are that:-

a) I stated that I was concerned with the sudden swelling over my whole hand, which was not "Balloon like" but was extremely painful.

b) I had stated that I was concerned that the swelling was going up my arm, noticeably on the inside of my arm just above the wrist.

c) I was surprised at not being offered any course of antibiotics.

d) Over the weekend, before going to see my GP, the swelling and pain got much worse and the swelling on the inside of my arm became itchy and red. I now understand that this is most likely Cellulitis.

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