Doctor in the House? Question about my 14-year-old

First of all: We will be making him an appointment to the see the GP on Monday morning.

Now that that’s out of the way…

My 14-year old son got home from Army Cadet camp yesterday evening, and complained of tingling/deadness in the big toes of both feet, and it has not improved with a good night’s sleep.

At some point during the week he was away (about three days ago), his unit went to the sea (dressed in civies), where he removed his shoes and socks and went swimming. His whole body got cold, though warmed up later, except for his feet. They remained cold for the rest of the day. The tingling/deadness started as soon as he got out of the water, and included all of his toes, but eventually settled in just his big toes – and has not gone away.

So here he is on Saturday, saying that his big toes feel very weird, and other than taking him to A&E, we have no channels for finding out what it could be and putting his mind at rest.

Any advice or guidance on what it could be? Should we just take him over to A&E? Or should it be sufficient to wait until Monday for a visit to the GP?

111

Nothing to add other than impressed that you got a GP appointment booked on a Friday evening for the following Monday especially as it’s a bank holiday

It’s not booked, the OP claimed that they will be making an appointment on Monday.

And maybe it’s not a bank holiday where the OP lives

Should we just take him over to A&E? Or should it be sufficient to wait until Monday for a visit to the GP?

IANAD but unless there are signs that there is a circulation problem now (ie if you push the nail down so the flesh under it goes from pink to white, and it takes a long time to return to pink (compare to other toes, thumbs).  Then it probably doesn’t merit rushing to GP and certainly not A&E.  My guess is some sort of nerve or soft tissue damage that will either fix itself over a few weeks or might need some physio/orthotics if it’s a systematic issue that ordinary walking aggravates.

FWIW I got/get something similar from skiing.  I ended up with prescription orthotics.  They helped in ordinary life but not when skiing.  Then I had to see a physio about a different issue and they said your calves are ridiculously tight/short and sorted that (probably still much worse than normal people).  Since then I’ve not worn orthotics for normal stuff and had no more issues.  I’ve not been skiing since.

Whoops. We will be making an appointment; we don’t currently have one. And I forgot that this Monday was a bank holiday. Jeez.

The sea is not cold this time of year – not that I`d fancy taking a dip in it – but certainly not cold enough consider it likely to cause any medical issue (pollution aside).

My internet opinion – is that he has likely been wearing too small boot/shoes for longer than he is used to .. hence the squashed tingly toes .. the big toe is always the favourite to lose the nail when shoes been squashing them cycling or jogging … and maybe outdoor activities in army cadets too.

Do not even consider wasting A&E time by going there. A 14 yr old with tingly/numb big toes after a few days away is not something I would be worrying about.

It’s not booked, the OP claimed that they will be making an appointment on Monday.

Then I admire his optimism at getting a same day GP appointment.

I am not a Dr but my wife is a GP so I showed her your post. She said it is a very unusual thing and one not easily explained given the time that has lapsed since getting cold. Her advice is A&E as, whilst it is extremely unlikely, what you describe could be symptomatic of spinal or neurological problem. Apparently it’s the bilateral aspect that is unusual. She stressed that it’s not a panic situation, but defiantly worth getting it checked to dismiss anything more serious.

Then I admire his optimism at getting a same day GP appointment.

He didn’t say that he expected an appointment the same day! 🙂

He said that he would make an appointment on Monday. Except he won’t because it’s bank holiday.

I would have thought that 111 would be the way to go. They will presumably direct him to whatever is available locally. They can make urgent appointments with local health centres

I’ve got Reynauds and often get what the OP describes, if i get really cold especially if wet too,  it can ages to get proper feeling back. I’m used to it, know what it is and I don’t worry.

If the son has other symptoms – in my case fingers go white really easily and don’t bend properly when cold, propensity to chill blanes and generally just feel the cold a lot more than everyone else, it could be that, although I’m surprised he could have got to 14 without being aware.  If it’s not that then I don’t know

He didn’t say that he expected an appointment the same day!

We will be making him an appointment to the see the GP on Monday morning.

Don’t spoil his day further!

Trench Foot ?

That’s my guess.

Symptoms match and the cause is as described.

My son survived many scout camps and this was a routine thing with his friends.

It should resolve before the GP opens.

I work in A&E. I wouldn’t advise A&E. I would give it a few days and see how it goes….

Possibly jellyfish sting? They give a sort of fizzy feeling! I think its the season for it from memory!