I recently visited A&E regarding a suspected insect bite on my ankle. I'd visited the GP the day before and been given antibiotics (short course) however was informed to visit A&E if it didn't get better. This was partly due to me being a Type 1 Diabetic, where feet are an important part of our health due to poor circulation. I am going away before the end of my course and although I'd only been taking the tablets for ~30 hours my ankle had continued to severely swell.
I was called in by a nurse who once letting me get only half way though my story (and A&E wasn't busy - I only waited 45 mins), told me it was definitely an insect bite, even though no obvious puncture wound, and it was as swollen as it was due to the heat outside. She felt very lightly with 1 finger and told me it wasn't hot (it felt it to me! ) and I'd be fine and insect bites do hurt (though I'm not sure they hurt up my leg and my whole foot! ).
I never got time to tell her about my Diabetes, and was never asked. As we fight so often for correct foot checks and is something we are educated in I was upset that I didn't get chance to bring it up. I was in for less than 2 minutes.
"A&E visit"
About: Northern General Hospital / Accident and emergency Northern General Hospital Accident and emergency S5 7AU
Posted by AGWLL (as ),
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