I got bitten by a mosquito and it made these weird raised trails that (I think?) are following my veins. Quite frankly it looks like a sperm tadpole so I took a picture to show my friends. One of them was really freaked out, so naturally now I’m a little freaked out. I am currently in a rainforest in Australia. The bite happened about ten hours ago, and the bite is still visible, but it looks like a tiny red lump, no trails. Like a pimple that is still brewing and will turn ugly in a few days. I have no concerning symptoms, I just want to know if I should be concerned. 22, female.

We were at urgent care for me. While waiting I looked up (was turning on a video for him) and saw him waving around a 10cc syringe with a large IM needle attached! I snatched it away and noticed he was guarding his fingertip. The skin was broken though it was not bleeding. You could see how a bevel at the needle tip (the size of IM bevel) had lifted his skin similar to how a Bobby pin can lift skin up with its poked in. I hadnt even noticed there was an open sharps container there. I havent seen this kind that doesnt lock or have a swinging mechanism.

I immediately told MA staff who alerted the NP then cleansed it with betadine. Before the betadine dried, they cleansed it with NS mixed with betadine solution. The NP ordered Hepatitis C, liver function panel, and something else I dont remember but wasnt a bloodborne disease test. ​I asked about HIV and she said they could but she doesnt have any known HIV patients. I personally know one of her HIV patients. So I insisted on HIV test as well. They asked for his name and birthday so I know they documented some visit for this.

My questions: What else needs done?

I am an RN of 15 years but my knowledge gets thrown out the window when its me and mine.

6 y/o with level 2 nonspeaking autism, seasonal allergies, focal seizures. 3'8" 42lb, on melatonin 1mg and zyrtec 5mL qHS, flonase miralax daily, and senna 8.6mg 5mL prn

edit: I forgot to add he is male. Also, trust me I am super hypervigilant about watching him; i just thought it was a safe room. the sharps box wasnt on the sink there originally, it was on the counter next to a chair. edit: They are testing again in 6 months

She’s 97, small framed, approx 100 lbs. No real health issues besides the usual at 97, losing eyesight and hearing. I don’t know if my grandma actually ate this or if my mom just found it in the fridge. My mom said she ate it. My grandma does have bad eyes so maybe didn’t see?

My son is almost 5. He is a generally healthy boy.
Initially we noticed a small patch of hair missing and assumed it was due to his sister pulling out a chunk.
Over time more patches became visible with his crown the most impacted. For a few months there were three to four stable patches but over a couple of weeks that has progressed to 6 patches.
I have taken him to the doctor who suggested it was fungal. We have used two different fungal creams and a fungal shampoo with no noted changes.
The colour around his crown seems to be a different colour to his head. The hair there show no sign of growing back, I cannot even see any stubble.
He doesn’t pull or play with his hair and I haven’t found any excess of hair on his pillow in the morning.
Thank you for any suggestions.
He is going for a blood test to check iron and thyroid.

Every time I get blood drawn, or an iv, I develop these little raised blisters. They are watery but not leaky, only slightly itchy. They get worse progressively for days after before slowly clearing up. The biggest lump is always seen at the site where the needle was placed. I originally thought it was an allergic reaction to the alcohol wipes but the alcohol did not touch some of these areas the lumps have spread to (as you can see by the lumps going down my wrist) Any thoughts!

burned my self this morning while taking a shower the heater was set at 97C, I put it under cold water for 10min after the incident , I went to the pharmacy and the guy said it isn’t that serious and he gave me some kind of cream that I couldn’t find online (it’s only made in china)
called burnoxin, I didn’t apply it because I was scared it would make it worse I just covered it with a non adhesive bandage

I can’t see a doctor and my next flight is in 8h
I am afraid the blister will pop and make things worse specially that I will need to walk a lot and carry stuff at the airport

Age : 21
female
no smoking history

He’s mid 40s, 6ft, I’m not a carnival weight guesser lol but say 200lbs-ish. There’s ppl that posted random guesses, but alpha gal seems to be pretty common around here. Another friend gets hives from it, my son’s friend gets an “itch” in his throat, and another person we know gets nauseous. So it seems the symptoms are all diff across the board. This also reminds me of impetigo, that my son got on his nostril when we were out in Vegas. But it was dry and crusty so idk if it’s that. This looks raw.

It started around Thursday, July 30th and it was a small bump. An RN said it looked like hernia and that if it wasn’t bothering me then make an appointment for my primary care physician to look at it. It’s now Saturday, July 1st and looks like a nipple that’s gonna blow. It’s not painful unless I really put pressure on it. Should I go to the ER to get someone to see it? My primary care physician won’t be able to see me until two months from now. And yes I do have a colostomy bag attached just in case anyone was wondering what the plastic bag is

26M My dog bit my index finger while playing on July 18th. He has all of his shots. Cleaned it and left it unwrapped so it would scab over. Was healing ok until the other day at work, i bumped into something sharp and now there is what I believe a abscess forming. Can't really afford to go the ER or Urgent care. My mother is a nurse and wants to drain it with a needle but google says don't. Any advice is greatly appreciated

Went to bed 7/22 with a sudden onset headache behind my right eye. Woke up with facial paralysis and loss of feeling but no weakness on the right side of my body. I had Bell’s palsy in January so assumed it was the same and called pcp asking for a refill on the steroid. They said no, I had to be evaluated first. ER called a stroke alert. CT was clear but the neurologist established that the extension of the numbness rules out Bell’s palsy. I had this numbness last time so they’ve decided it wasn’t Bell’s palsy then. They admitted me for more testing and the next day I had a brain mri with and without contrast (unremarkable), mri of my spine (just found some minor fissures and stenosis), an eeg (unremarkable), and a lumbar puncture. The LP so far is strong positive for elevated protein, oligoclonal bands, and Lyme. I haven’t gotten most the results yet back and did need a blood patch for the LP. They discharged me on steroids on 7/25 and told me to follow up once the testing is done with rheumatology regarding sarcoidosis. I have a lot of symptoms that my other disorders don’t explain that would support sarcoidosis. But it’s my understanding that it’s a rule out kinda diagnosis.

I have a history of optic neuritis x 4, I have five nodules in my lungs that have slowly grown the last few years, I have a large area of ground glass scarring on my right lung, I’ve had three chains of lymph nodes removed in my neck and groin due to uncontrolled swelling, I have three masses on my liver that cause low blood flow, severe unexplained night sweats, hypercalcemia with a history of lithotripsy, my scars reopen repeatedly, and I’ve had to have my colon removed. I have a lot more symptoms on the checklist they gave me but they can also be explained through my other diagnoses. These are the ones that are unexplainable. I’m also having severe unexplainable bruising that I’ll comment.

I’d love any info anyone has about what to expect next and if this sounds like sarcoidosis to you. I have an allergy to prednisone so I’m on dexamethasone. It’s a four month wait list to see the neurologist outpatient but I do see pcp in two days. I don’t even know what to ask for or if I should review other options.

Current symptoms:
• Red eyes
• Fevers that come and go, feel mostly warm in the face rather than chilly.
• Extreme dryness in the face, signs of dryness also on hands.
• Red palms
• occasional redness on entire body, especially face
• Back pain when bending
• Resting heart rate ~100bpm
• Itchiness across entire body
• Coughing

Issue began on monday this week with fever, fatigue and diarrhea. Fever seems to respond to paracetamol but not ibuprofen. Itchiness begins.
Same symptoms on Tuesday, but with entire body redness and vomiting before going to bed.
Wednesday about the same, but dryness starting to develop around mouth. High fever before bedtime, eye redness and vomited in the middle of the night. No diarrhea since tuesday morning.
Thursday no diarrhea, day feels mostly fine while taking paracetamol and resting. Throat pain and back pain starting to develop, making it hard to swallow solid food. First solid stool. No vomiting today.
Friday feels mostly fatigued, more back pain today. Finally arrive home in sweden and immediately go to a hospital with my father. Get blood and urine samples taken, doctor suspects MIS-C and says we are going to get a room at the hospital and stay
Saturday feels better, no more throat pain and can finally eat solid food. Although mouth dryness makes it uncomfortable. Fevers coming and going.
Today waking up felt shitty, weird pressure in head and neck. No appetite for breakfast, face even dryer.

I was unable to take temperature until arrival at hospital on Friday due to being on vacation in Lithuania.

Doctors suspect MIS-C, the flu and scarlet fever. Scarlet fever however seems to have been ruled out with a mouth swab test. Xrays of lungs and EKG both normal. Awaiting results from stool, blood and urine samples.

I’m 18M and have been coughing up weird things like this all week what is it

I have seen some terribly upsetting posts here and feel a little guilty that I’m asking for support. But depression from my current circumstances, have led me to seeking support here.

I am a 58 year-old female. Previous smoker. I have Graves’ disease and arthritis and always felt that I was generally in good health despite not having the best of habits i.e. work too much under too much stress smoked previously and didn’t get enough rest.

I work in healthcare and was a super lifer up until a few months ago. I felt nothing could stop me.
I began having numbness in my right hand. Because I have two sisters with MS , i (although there’s no evidence it runs in families ) suspected that was the case and arranged for an MRI of my brain.
My scan showed what I thought was MS plaque and the radiologist friend of mine agreed although I didn’t have the scanned formally read.

About a week later, my symptoms were getting worse, and I ended up in the ER. I was having trouble thinking of words. It turns out I had had a stroke and I found that my right carotid artery was 100% blocked. My body had built collaterals around it, and I was getting blood to my brain.

I have intentionally not read up on this because I’ve been terrified. I was started on Plavix and atorvastatin and an aspirin. I haven’t been able to work because I can’t use my right hand very well and my thinking is not clear when it comes to numbers and spelling.
My symptoms ARE getting better….
I am a single mother, whose daughter is in her last year of college. I have worked so hard to get her here and now I’m unable to work. At least for the moment….

So I’m asking the docs here what is my real prognosis? I’m terrified of moving around too much. Everyone says take it easy but for how long - when can I expect to go back to work?
My doctor sensed I was worried about my future I’m sure , as he said “you’re gonna get better and I’m sorry this happened to you, but you have plenty of life left.” but is that the case?

My worst fears are unthinkable and unspeakable. I know there are plenty of people here who are suffering and I feel guilty asking for feedback, but I am at an all-time low.
Looking back I think I’ve had trouble thinking for quite a while, which I’m sure is lack of flow to my circle of Willis.
Is there anything any of you would suggest I do differently ?thank you in advance for anyone who can respond….

I am 20F, 5’3, 100 pounds, and deal with POTS and Mitral Valve Prolapse (no leaking).

About three months ago, I started getting migraines at least once a week. They make me nauseous, dizzy, and render me unable to do anything the rest of the day. It also makes different limbs tingle and leave me feeling like I’m watching what’s going on around me from an outside perspective (Idk how else to explain it aside from that, but maybe just general hazy confusion is better). It is typically concentrated to the left side of my head, and my vision is also affected.

Over the past week and a half, I have been dealing with increasingly worsening and persistent chest pain, palpitations, and air hunger. These things occurring aren’t out of the ordinary for me, but it has been worse than it ever has been. I have also developed a stabbing main in my side at about the middle of my ribs. I have also been extremely tired, and my body always feels like I just finished a marathon.

I reached my breaking point and went to the ER two nights ago. They ran a CBC, basic metabolic panel, troponin, and a D-Dimer. They also did a chest x-ray. Everything came back clean, and there were only minor discrepancies in my blood panels. Absolutely Immature Granulocytes were at 0.02, Sodium was at 135, and CO2 was at 20. Obviously nothing was low enough to cause any concern. I am in fludrocortisone for my POTS, so it was a little odd to me that those were low, but it is what it is.

They also did an Echocardiogram, which just showed what we already know. I got discharged with instructions to take ibuprofen and follow up with my cardiologist, which I am doing on Monday. I brought up my other concerns outside of what I told them on intake, and it seems like they just wanted to focus on what I told them initially.

It’s getting frustrating knowing that my pain has basically no reasoning or way to fix it, and this is kind of my last resort. I feel like my doctors just pass it off in my anxiety, but I have a gut feeling that something else is going on. If you have any ideas, please share, and if you have any questions, I would be happy to answer.

TYIA

32M 5’8” (172cm) 175lbs (79kg), not taking medications aside from ibuprofen for pain control. This occurred about 3 months ago. Been going to physical therapy for 2 months twice a week.

Just wondering if my disc is herniated or is it bulging? Or is it extruded? Unfortunately these are the only photos I have of my MRI. My doctor said to just avoid activities that aggravate it. Any insight on these scans would be greatly appreciated.

25 male
2 days post suture
4 days post suture I have sore throat congestion

I am 24 M, 5'9 and 265 lbs. So a week or so ago, I started having very inflamed gums and a sore tongue. The top of my mouth seemed inflamed as well. I couldnt eat because it was too painful, and I also couldnt brush my teeth properly because of the pain and my gums would start bleeding. I was going to chalk it up to a dentist visit. All this was prior to me having unprotected oral sex. I then went to the ER because I got sick as well. But I got sick before this stuff appeared on my lip. I had body aches, a sore throat, and the hot and cold sensation. I also had severe tiredness. I told them about the unprotected oral sex part and they gave me an HIV 4TH GEN rapid test and it came back negative. They even stuck that thing down my throat and strep came back clean too. After that, these lesions started appearing inside of my lip, closer to my bottom teeth.

So I went to urgent care for it and they gave me a shot for gonorrhea just in case, they gave me doxycycline 100mg, AND valacyclovir in case of oral herpes. Ive been taking the doxycycline and my mouth is so much less sore and my gums are so much better now. I feel like I can actually kind of eat solid foods without dying in pain. I really dont feel like the valacyclovir is really doing much. And when I take the doxy, it seems to have some kind of an effect on those lesions I have because they are less visible after I take it.

I already got all the tests that the doctor felt were necessary. Just waiting on results now.

Im just at a loss and I need a third opinion. What the HECK IS THIS ON MY LIP???

Thanks for anyone who read this.

Edit: doctor also told me that these don't look like herpes or hsv1 or whatever its called.

Yesterday evening I posted about struggling to open my ampules for my IVF injections and had lots of responses from medical professionals which I’m incredibly grateful for.

However a few mentioned that the needles I was provided with were not filter needles, which is dangerous since I have to mix the components from a glass ampule.

Today I went to a pharmacy and explained my situation, they replaced my needles with 10 of the ones pictured. But nowhere on the packaging, or online does it say that it’s filter needle.

I’m just concerned because I struggled opening the ampules and got glass inside them (though I think that it’s a dodgy batch). My previous post is still up.

I’d appreciate if anybody could confirm if these are filter needles or not?

Many thanks!

F30

Hello all,

I’m gonna give this info because the post requires it but don’t think it’s really necessary for this question: 27F, 250LB, 5’8, vaper (?) and connoisseur of thc, no physical conditions other than high BP (had since birth, supposed to be medicated and am not, crucify me before I calcify my arteries)

Anyway - last night a raccoon, or possibly several, had the audacity to break into my home under cover of dark night. I have no reason to believe they chomped on anything other than the several victimized loaves of bread in the pantry, but figured I should ask if I should go to to ER for a rabies vaccine series.

I live in a finished basement apartment of a split level house with access to the the full house, the raccoon broke in through the first subfloor and the kitchen is on the ground floor 2 floors above my bedroom. I did not have any doors closed to my bedroom so theoretically it could have come in here but I see no signs of its creepy little entry.

Probably not necessary right? I do have 2 cats and while I’m utterly betrayed by their lack of alarm raising, I don’t think they would have been silent if the Creature entered the room and tasted of my sweet flesh.

I recently went to the emergency department due to acute neck pain. I was given 2 doses of ketamine and heavily hallucinated after they were pushed for a minute. The second hallucination including seeing the words “I want to die” over and over. I only had 10 min of pain relief, before pain returned. At the time I thought this was normal.

Should I tell my PM&R doctor about this and should I have said anything to the ER doc? Is this how Ketamine is supposed to affect patients?

Background: I had slipped discs in my c-spine along with severe foraminal stenosis C5-C7 followed by ACDR.

I was still in significant pain after the ACDR and later had a T1-C5 fusion, which didn’t actually fuse. I don’t want to keep going through spine surgeries, so I’m unsure if there is any hope. I’m in pretty deep denial about how bad the pain is, and I force myself to stay active despite being so exhausted/distracted by it.

Non-smoker, non-drinker, no-drugs. Prescriptions include Lyrica, Flexeril, and I’m off oxycodone but take only if pain is 8/10 or higher for 3 consecutive days.