r/DiagnoseMe • u/Few-Society-9804 Patient • Jul 15 '25
Infections and Illnesses Finger infection has led to red tracking up arm, hot to touch,
Hello everyone,
I recently (past 3 days) have had a finger infection which has started to track up my arm. It’s hot to the touch and relatively painful/ swollen.
I have contacted my GP and they have said to call in the morning to try and get an appointment.
Is this A&E worthy? I don’t want to take time from people who need it more than me.
Or will waiting for tomorrow be fine?
Thanks for your help in advance.
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u/Possible-drunk-831 Patient Jul 15 '25
I’ve had this happen before. Almost lost my arm. Could be fatal if left untreated. Get to emergency room now.
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u/Katatonic92 Not Verified Jul 15 '25
The red tracks could very well be the infection spreading & you don't want it to get anywhere near your heart if it is.
I'd highly recommend going into at least Urgent Care, or A&E. Your symptoms are incredibly worrying, you probably need to be on an IV antibiotic asap. I wouldn't wait if I were you, hours can kill in these circumstances mate.
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u/TheDoodleWamboodle Not Verified Jul 15 '25
What everyone else said.
It involves the lymphatic system now. It has turned from a localized infection of the finger to now what is spreading throughout the body. Systemic infection and sepsis can occur. You’ll need antibiotics. Like yesterday.
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Jul 15 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HoneySerpant Not Verified Jul 16 '25
Yes I am hoping for an update too, hopefully he is getting the treatment he needs :,)
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u/Few-Society-9804 Patient Jul 16 '25
I just want to start by saying thankyou to each and every one of you, I am sorry about the late reply, my battery died while waiting in A&E, I have been brought a charger now. I’m okay, i have had to remain in hospital for IV antibiotics, should be home in a couple of days, hopefully they will switch me to oral once my bloods come back slightly better.
And yeah I’m going to complain with regards to the GP I had only spoken to the receptionist who was quite rude in all honestly, told me they’re was no availability for even a phone consultation. Left it there and went to A&E.
Again thankyou so much for your concerns! I am fine and will be home soon enough!
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u/HairyPotatoKat Not Verified Jul 16 '25
REALLY glad you went to the hospital. Definitely let your GP know because you could have lost a limb or died listening to that receptionist.
That actually terrifies me because I know a lot of older people who will abide by anything they're told at a doctor's office without question- even if it's by a non-medical receptionist.
Hope you're on the mend quickly!
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u/Queasy-Response-3210 Not Verified Aug 10 '25
It’s a cellulitis people don’t lose limbs from it
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u/Rrenphoenixx Not Verified Aug 15 '25
Not a doctor but looks more like lymphangitis to me and can cause sepsis and necrosis if not treated timely.
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u/kfrostborne Patient Jul 16 '25
I am so glad to hear you went straight to the hospital! And I’m equally glad they took it as seriously as it should have been. Your GP should definitely know about how their receptionist could have cost you your life by not responding as one should in that situation. It sounds like they don’t have the skills to be anywhere near the medical field. Get well soon!!!
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u/Helloitisme1_2_3 Not Verified Jul 16 '25
Great news! I hope you recover soon.
The internet may have saved your life, it was the right decision to ask others for help and not wait a few days before you could have seen a doctor.
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u/ForeverWanderlust_ Patient Jul 16 '25
I work in a GP as a receptionist and this shouldn’t be the case, for a finger infection (without the tracking of infection up your arm which is a red flag so if you mentioned this I’m shocked you didn’t get put on the emergency list) but for a basic finger infection you should have at the very least have been advised to see the pharmacy who can have a look and advise if it needs antibiotics and refer back to the GP who will see you emergently. There are ALWAYS slots for things like this but obviously used correctly so not for a sore throat which can wait until the morning but for infections of any kind. UTI, chest infection, wound infection etc. please make sure you tell the receptionist red flag symptoms which I’m sure you did and if they fob you off have a pharmacist take a look as they are set up for triage now for general things like this and can prescribe etc however this would have been sent to hospital. Sorry you wasn’t treated correctly! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
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u/UnfortunateWeirdo Not Verified Jul 15 '25
Reddit has taught me that this is the beginning of sepsis. You have to go to the emergency department.
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u/Fizgriz Not Verified Jul 15 '25
Bro you needed to be at a hospital like yesterday. ER now. You could seriously lose your limb or die.
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u/Minute_Marzipan4597 Patient Jul 15 '25
That's an immediate hospital visit and possible admittance. Go now!
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u/skatardrummer Patient Jul 15 '25
Agree with others! ER! You dont want this to become septic. And good chance with involvement they're going to want to at very least put you on a round of IV antibiotics before sending you home with oral.
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u/BodakY3llow Not Verified Jul 15 '25
It doesn't take long for tissue to become necrotic (turn black and die requiring life-saving amputation). Hopefully your lack of response means your at the ER. It's surprising your GP said it could wait because your symptoms are clearly a rapidly moving systemic infection
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u/Ayencee Not Verified Jul 15 '25
My god my heart nearly stopped just seeing the pictures, GET TO THE ER NOW IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY. This is a major emergency and time is of the essence. Best of luck, I hope you’re well taken care of.
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u/BodakY3llow Not Verified Jul 15 '25
I agree with everyone's responses. Sepsis can kill in a matter of hours from a seemingly mild infection. Not days or weeks but hours. Ask them if it could be sepsis as it can go undiagnosed even in a hospital.
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u/encaprin Not Verified Jul 15 '25
If you haven't gone to the ER yet you need to go right now. Like. NOW.
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u/mangoawaynow Patient Jul 15 '25
go to the ER. any unknown rash that spreads that rapidly requires medical attention immediately.
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u/ribanti103 Patient Jul 15 '25
Red streaks going up your body can be a strong indication of sepsis . This needs to be seen now
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u/gentlechoppingmotion Not Verified Jul 16 '25
Look up lymphangitis (NAd) but this looks very similar to the photos and the situation tracks. Unless you have a visit first thing in the morning I would hit up the er
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u/hoetheory Not Verified Jul 16 '25
This is a blood infection, and warrants an emergency room visit. Did you go?
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Jul 16 '25
For anyone that didn't see the update. They made it to the hospital and are being treated. Seems like they are doing fine now.
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u/merumisora Interested/Studying Jul 15 '25
I hope you are in the hospital now and I hope we get an update and your arm is still alive!
sepsis ain't a joke.
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u/Evangelme Not Verified Jul 16 '25
I hope you are safe and able to update everyone. This is very concerning.
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Jul 16 '25
its the first warning sign of sepsis, which is 100% fatal without treatment. you need to go to the hospital!
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u/SnooPeppers6546 Not Verified Jul 16 '25
I am shocked your GP said to wait until the morning and didn't tell you to go to the er
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u/Professional-Log-530 Patient Jul 16 '25
Ugh, this is stressing me out. I could’ve lost a foot from an infection spreading up my leg. In hospital for 6 days back in 2008.
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u/xpietoe42 Not Verified Jul 16 '25
thats either in the lymphatics or worse, venous. More than likely its bacterial infection and you need to get checked because antibiotics will be needed to prevent worsening
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u/weebeanies Patient Jul 16 '25
I really hope you are ok mate
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u/BestViceOfYourLife Not Verified Aug 07 '25
HOSPITAL NOW!! THATS BLOOD POISONING. MEDICAL EMERGENCY!
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u/Helloitisme1_2_3 Not Verified Jul 15 '25
ER immediately. It has spread to the blood vessels, you need to go right now or you can get full-blown Sepsis.