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Horrid thing on my leg

AnnieBernice

Member
Messages
21
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin


Hi people I have 3 of these on my lower leg. Doc referred me to a dermatologist. I've just seen the pub doc who is retired and he thinks it might be something to do with my circulation, I have inflammation in my skin too. They are dry and scaly and tend to crust over to the point that the actually come away and lift off leaving a very red sore. One is extremely itchy, the other 2 not. I am type 1 fair control what do you think?
 
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My honest opinion, I Don, t like the look of it.
Glad you are referred to a dermatologist and hope you get seen quickly
I would keep an eye on them and if getting worse or not healing, I would go back and see your gp
 

Hi there - What did your GP advise you do with these sore in the meantime, whilst waiting to see the Dermatologist?

Did these appear after bites, or the like? Are they all on your lower legs around the same level, or are the others higher up? Are any above the knee?

Sorry to ask so many questions.
 
If you can afford it... consider paying for a private appt and get seen quickly...

You can always cancel it if nhs aplt comes thru quick.

Pretty sure you would get put back thru nhs if privately funding for tests..

I think this needs quick attention...
 
I think you should also draw a line around fhe outer edge and see if it (they) shrink or grow
 
@AnnieBernice - @donnellysdogs ' suggestion for a private referral also holds good value, if you can afford it. If you choose not to go down that route, for whatever reason, you could consider seeing another GP to ask their opinion on the diagnosis, leading to the dermatology referral.

Whilst I agree with Donnellysdogs' view to keep a very keen eye on the size of your sores, in your shoes, I'd be nervous about drawing anywhere close to broken skin.

Were I in your shoes, I would put a ruler, or tape measure across the sores at various points, and photograph then on my phone, to provide a record of the "today status" of each sore and allow you to sensibly compare over time. That was the advice I was given to keep an eye on a mole that was "of interest". When it changed, the photo was a very useful tool when I had to go back and discuss changes I had observed.
 
AnnieBernice said:
They are dry and scaly and tend to crust over to the point that the actually come away and lift off leaving a very red sore.
Click to expand...

Obviously needs an expert's opinion and there have been suggestions for you to consider. In the meantime I have used E45 cream, cheaper in Waitrose than Superdrug. I put it on my legs because of cellulitus and I use clingfilm to make sure it doesn't come off on socks and things. The good thing about E45 is that it shouldn't make matters worse.
 

Excellent suggestion for keeping eye on size...better than mine!!

Or a bit of string then measure the string in a photo.

Do this before and after say using the E45.. the E45 is gentle and another great suggestion.
 
donnellysdogs said:
Excellent suggestion for keeping eye on size...better than mine!!

Or a bit of string then measure the string in a photo.

Do this before and after say using the E45.. the E45 is gentle and another great suggestion.
Click to expand...

DD - My rationale on the photo was to also record the shape of the sore. It's supremely unlikely any of these things are a uniform circle, rectangle, let alone any changes to redness/scab or whatever.

In many ways a drawing around the sore would be ideal, but as I say, personally, I'd not be keen to be applying pressure and/or ink in that area, bearing in mind it could be required over some weeks.

@AnnieBernice - Should you elect to go with the photo option, be prepared to repeat the photo session as (hopefully) your sores heal.

When I needed to go back and discuss subsequent growth on my mole, with the photographic evidence there was absolutely no suggestion of "are you sure?", as I had the photographic evidence to hand.

(The mole is no more, having had it removed.)

Annie Bernice - Did you Doc share with you what his thoughts were on the cause of your sores, or is the referral because he's not at all sure?
 
I was going to suggest E45 too. I see you have socks near the site, I would also suggest not wearing anything that is going to irritate and rub the area.
 
Yes this is an expert thing too dangerous not to have taken care of ... you need to be pushy at insist in having an expert help you

what is your HbA1c is it possible to get it a bit lower than you are now ?
 
Struma said:
@donnellysdogs @DCUKMod Drawing around a lesion like this, is recommended medical practice, having seen the photos.

Edit: I guess the practice should may be reserved for medical personnel to carry out
Click to expand...

I agree with you that measuring and monitoring is good medical practice, and I have been drawn on when I have had something very temporary, and likely short-lived.

In that case of my mole, it could have been with me the rest of my life, so permenantly drawing around it would have been impractical.

We have no idea how long @AnnieBernice had had her lesions and how long she may be waiting to see a Dermatologist, but it strikes me that a single drawn line around each lesion won't last long, with showering etc.

Frankly, as long as it's closely monitored, I think that's the important thing, but I know I would npt be able to trust my mind's eye to remember the exact size and shape of three things, potentially changing slowly.
 
I would say the priority is to prevent it getting infected -it looks quite deep. A&E could sterilise it.I'd guess it was a diabetic ulcer and not cancerous as cancer doesn't usually present as 3 lesions at once. You could photograph it with a ruler next to monitor size. But I'm not a doctor SEE ONE
 
The thing that puzzles me is why would something the doc thinks is caused by circulatory issues be referred to a dermatologist?
I would try and get a second opinion
 
Hi people, I'm so sorry if I have appeared to be rude in not replying, I didn't realise I had to log in to respond to your comments! Thank you I will respond accordingly over the next couple of days xxx
 
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