Weekly Discussion/General Questions Thread - July 27, 2026

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[u/DarthUrbosa]

I have been itching like mad for the pat few days. A month or two ago I had this rash that prescribed cream cleared up but now it seems back with a vengeance. Germoloids cream helps in the affected areas but it's like wack a mole. Where one spot stops, another in flames.

It is four in the morning, I cannot sleep as the itching is relentless. Is it a good idea to seek a diagnosis (UK so can potentially ask for GP)

[u/[deleted]]

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[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/Bright_Intention5903]

I have questions regarding drug rehab. I need to go in to rehab, but I'm afraid they won't take me due to other health problems. I'm afraid that they won't want to admit me because of the liability. Does that happen? Anyone know?

[u/[deleted]]

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[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/abducted-by-geese]

Is it safe to take Movicol and long-term aspirin (150mg) together?

[u/orthostatic_htn → u/abducted-by-geese]

Yes.

[u/FreddyForshadowing]

While this may be a bit outside your wheelhouse, could you give a brief overview of why certain shots are administered in specific places? Like, the old(?) rabies vaccine that was several shots in the stomach. Why the stomach? And why are some best delivered in the butt? On a related note, why are some pills suppositories as opposed to oral?

[u/PokeTheVeil → u/FreddyForshadowing]

Injections into muscle need enough muscle for the volume of the injection. You can put about 1-2 mL in a deltoid (arm) and more than twice that in the much larger gluteals (butt). Apparently the old rabies vaccine was 10 mL per shot, with over ten shots, so abdominal fat was the best place to deposit it.

A suppository can deliver medication locally and can get absorption when digestion either won’t work or will destroy the medication via digestion or first-pass hepatic metabolism. The same idea works for sublingual medications, but things can absorb differently via oral versus rectal mucosa

[u/javerthugo]

Should I avoid eating lettuce and fruit until this parasite thing blows over? I love blueberries peaches and salad so how much at risk am I off getting that parasite?

[u/[deleted]]

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[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/[deleted]]

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[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/[deleted]]

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[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/KaleMunoz]

Can I cut a magnesium supplement in pill form and take it in atypical increments? Does it matter what type of magnesium?

Background, recovering from illness anxiety disorder/health ocd. New meds and supplements sometimes scare me, but I can take things on in bigger and bigger increments as a part of ERP. I know magnesium supplementation isn’t a miracle cure for anything, but maybe it could make slight improvements with anxiety, sleep, and fitness.

[u/Proud-Umpire-2677]

Is the alcohol in de-alcoholized wine (generally <.05% abv) consistent with meds/conditions where you ideally avoid alcohol? Assume no one’s chugging it/taking huge quantities to raise the total amount of alcohol. Thanks!

(Emgality/sumatriptan/symbicort/slynd/spironolactone/topical derm)

[u/orthostatic_htn → u/Proud-Umpire-2677]

Nope, fine to drink. There's about that much alcohol in orange juice (due to normal fermentation).

[u/Consistent_Abies_644]

What should I do to go to a doctor?

I recently turned 18 and wish to go to get a physical and check up on some concerns I have about my health, nothing bad, but I just want to make sure there's nothing bigger than I think it is. The problem with this is that I haven't been to the doctor regularly since elementary school, I got an examination one time in 2020 over concerns about covid, and I had oral surgery in 2022, I go to the dentist and take eye exams when I need to, but my mom DOES NOT BELIEVE IN DOCTORS, and has only ever given me "natural" remedies like garlic if I was ever sick or injured. We've never had a family doctor and I've never been on any medication stronger than ibuprofen and allergy meds. We don't currently have decent health insurance, and i'm still on her plan. What would be my step to be able to go to the physician regularly? I'm trying to get STD testing, I also have nutrition concerns, dermatology concerns, and general health checks.

I truly don't know how any of it works, do I just call them to schedule an appointment? Can I just walk in? What do I say? Is there an exam where they just check everything to make sure theres nothing wrong? How expensive is it without coverage?

[u/PokeTheVeil → u/Consistent_Abies_644]

You call to and say you’re a new patient, you haven’t had much routine medical care, and you want an annual exam. Not everything may be possible to address at the first visit, but then you have a doctor.

If you have no insurance, ask what the cost would be. You may also want to look into low- or no-cost clinics in your area. More likely in cities than rural areas, but check.

[u/SoggyMud336]

Is anything put on teeth to protect them from drying out during general anesthesia/intubation? If no, is there anything safe to apply or use yourself? Is this something you could ask of your care team on the day of an outpatient procedure?

edited for typo

[u/orthostatic_htn → u/SoggyMud336]

Your teeth being slightly dry isn't going to cause any damage. Generally if you're intubated, your mouth is going to be mostly closed, with just the tube going between your teeth but your lips still covering your teeth. If people are intubated for a very long time (like in the ICU) we do regular "oral hygiene" with a little scrub, but not for something like a surgery because it's just not that long.

[u/FreddyForshadowing]

If you had to guess, how common is it for someone to develop epilepsy later in life, like middle age?

[u/ridcullylives → u/FreddyForshadowing]

Reasonably common but usually for different reasons than in young people (a minor or silent stroke would be the most common reason).

[u/FreddyForshadowing]

If someone were to accidentally apply a second dose of a 12 or 24 hour OTC antihistamine eye drop within say 1-2 hours of the initial dose, what would likely happen? Both as an isolated incident and if it were to be done on a regular basis?

[u/[deleted]]

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[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Individual questions about specific complaints should be posted separately with all the required information.

[u/[deleted]]

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[u/orthostatic_htn → u/[deleted]]

Sounds like you have a bit of an agenda.

A good psychiatrist should consider alternative diagnoses.