Hi Barbara

Definitely get it checked very soon, like NOW!

Think you need either an emergency appointment or visit to a walk in centre if you have one nearby. If it isn't infected already it could very quickly become so and then might be difficult to treat due to a compromised immune system. Not sure about specialist nurse but both that and the 24th are way too far off.

And get those feet up as much as possible. They will only get worse and then you'll be no use to anyone!!

Lyn x

Hi Barbara

If Roy says it looks disgusting (although I admit he could be like the rest of the male species and just plain soft!! No offence to Roy ] ), and it's been split for 4 weeks and got worse and now is painful to walk on ... duh ... it needs looking at soon! I'd have a look myself but can't justify the train fare this weekend ... sorry Barbara!!!

Do think it needs looking at because it doesn't sound like it's going to get better on its own! My daughter went ice skating with borrowed skates that rubbed. Two days later both heels were infected (probably due to showering , I imagine ) and I had to take her to an emergency appointment where they were dressed and she was given antibiotics. It happens!!

Lyn x

oooh Barbara - sounds painful. Are both ankles swollen? Are you on any blood pressure tablets? I think Lyn is right in saying that you need this looking at sooner rather than later. It's not just the split skin - it's the overall swelling you need to get checked. I've found out recently that it's not always a good idea to play everything down and carry on regardless :) Will be thinking of you.

Julie

oh Barbara,

Sounds awful. I totally agrre with Lyn you must get to the docs. What is the NHS like 'no appointments for 10 days'
it not acceptable. It is the same at my surgery in Somerset. You cannot book an appointment at all you
book a time to speak with the Doc and then he rings you and either invites you in or issues a prescription.
Completey mad. . . . .

Take care

Rose

Hi Barbara

Sorry to read about your problems, I just can't believe that you can't get an appointment until the 24th. Just a thought, can you ask for a telephone consultation with a GP. I did this the Tuesday after the bank holiday, I just wanted some advice about my finger, this resulted with the GP telling me to go down after surgery, sometimes I think that if you can get past the 'I'm in charge receptionists' a doctor then can judge for themselves if you need to see them sooner rather than later.

About the splits on your feet. I think I can remember reading somewhere about someone who's feet had swelled so much with RA that her skin split. If this is the case then you do need some medical help. But I have had problems with the skin on the heels of my feet. Last month the bottom of my feet around the heels were terrible. I had had a week in an apartment in Spain and I had been walking about on the tiled floors inside and out with no shoes on. They looked awful, the skin was so dry and cracked and ashamed to say black. The dirt from the floors had taken residence in the dry skin and cracks and no amount of washing would make it go. It got so bad that I too was having problems walking.

Once I got home I bought some CCS Heel Balm and set to work on them. I've got one of them peg egg things (I think thats what you call them) for getting hard skin off your feet) at first it was far too painful to use it, I kept plastering my heels with the balm, twice a day, night and morning and once the skin started to improve I used the peg egg thing before I showered. Eventually they got better.

Hope my confession about my dirty feet helps.

Paula

That's probably the best idea, Barb. Nip down to the chemist and ask them to take a look for you. I agree that this should be looked at asap. Take care and trty to elevate your legs ass much as poss.

Love Jeanxxx

Hi aww glad you got feet up,chemist oh yes the supermarket ones have a small room now for examination.
gp,mtx say im rism of infection quickly and youve been told any sign of one to be seen asap.
thats what my gp told me say.
take care.
lv melly

It's because we have to be ill 'to order' in this country ... not Saturday, not Sunday and most definitely not bank holidays! Then you have wait in an orderly queue regardless of the problem!!!

Actually true. I had the misfortune to spend several hours at A&E with one injured son last night. Would you believe an elderly man who had suffered a heart attack was sat in the same waiting room with us? Clearly very poorly and his daughter anxiously trying to get him some help, he sat there for 20 minutes before he was even 'triaged' then things seemed to move. Almost a four hour wait last night ... hmm, Blackpool in the season (full of drunks, fights, druggies, suicides) and no time for the locals

Lyn x

Hi all, well, saw the pharmacist today. She said its a very deep split, and wouildnt advise using the heel balm on it incase it makes it worse/infected. She advised getting gp to see it, and to mention to the receptionist about the mtx etc, to try to get an earlier appt. She advised just to use healing cream, ie germolene, sudocrem, and to kekep it covered with a plaster etc when walking, so will do this for now. Thanks everyone for all the advice x

Hi Barbs,ok so chemist said no cream such as heel balm bless no wonder so sore as so deep,pray you get into gp soon.
chemists can be such good soucre of advice.
hugs
melly