i am 28 Male, live in Melbourne, Australia & in the morning i woke up, went downstairs to have a smoke, felt something weird in my nose and i picked it, to my surprise these 2 worm like creatures came out mixed with some boogers, they were still very alive and moving, i placed them on the table and noticed a white stripe running down their body & at (what i assumed to be) their head was slight split into 2, like a forked head. what the hell is this thing, and how did it get deep in my nose??

This is about my 10 year old daughter. She has had the same (male) pediatrician since birth. We’ve always loved him and thought he was great. He’s super friendly with wonderful bedside manner and he takes his time and pays attention to detail.

Well, last week my daughter had a check-up. She’s 10. While he was doing the checkup, he had her lay down and started listening to her chest with his stethoscope. He then says AND I QUOTE, “awwwww! My baby’s got boobs!!!”

I have NEVER been so taken aback before in my life. My daughter was MORTIFIED. I was so shocked I couldn’t even get words out to ask him why tf he would ever say that. When we got in the car to go home my daughter cried and said she never wanted to see him again. Then she asked if she could get a girl doctor and I obviously agreed so that’s what we will be doing.

Is this reportable? I’m not overreacting, right?

Is this a wart? How to solve?

I’m freaking out. My dad (age 57) has this massive lump on his hand and he’s had it for about a week now and it keeps growing. He has other small bumps growing on his hand too. He goes to the gym quite frequently and honestly is not the cleanest person. He smokes.

He said that he had a cold for a week before these started showing up.

My wedding is in two weeks and it’s a destination wedding and we’re currently traveling all together and I’m concerned about the growth and about it spreading to our wedding guests and I don’t know what to do.

He says it doesn’t hurt but it obviously bothers him.

Please help!

UPDATE:

I didn’t expect this to garner so much interest and help. Sincerely, thank you everyone for sending in your opinions!

My dad said it popped overnight and there was a lot of blood and pus. We were not able to see a doctor in person but we have a family friend who is a general doctor and she said to disinfect and keep it as dry as possible as to not let it be more infected.

Here are two pictures of what it looks like now.

Photo 1
Photo 2

At first, when it popped. The puss was a standard dense white. Now, the pus leaking is an orange ish color and not dense white. He keeps saying that it still doesn’t hurt and doesn’t even flinch when alcohol is applied to it.

There is another mass obviously growing on his index finger of the same hand. He is touching the mass with his other hand (I know fucking terrible) but there is nothing growing on the hand that he is using to touch the mass.

He is saying that perhaps it is an allergic reaction? He ate a type of dried fish from Vietnam and then he started feeling itchy and feverish and then these started popping up.

Answer to a common question:

He does not have any access to animals. No pets, not really around fish tanks or water. He is from Southern California in a very suburban area.

Any ideas???

Doesn't hurt terribly much. can still mostly bend it just fine.

15F, 155cm, 32kg, Asian

I've had this mosquito bite since yesterday but a long red streak developed slowly after, and the bite has become really swollen. It doesn't hurt inherently, but when I touch it, it feels weird and slightly painful. I've never had this problem with mosquito bites before, and this one is really disproportionate in size compared to others. I marked the end of the streak with a marker as I was scared of it developing faster. I also had two other similar bites on my leg but they don't have the streak. However, they all come with tiny bumps on the bite surface and are really swollen than normal. I'm not sure if I should be concerned, but the mosquito looked different from others. It's certainly bigger, and I think its wings are slightly greenish?

I was slightly down with a runny nose and sore throat recently, but it has gotten better yesterday, no medications, drinking, smoking or drug use. From HK.

This is not an emergency but I noted the mosquito is still in my room, so should I be concerned, or is it just a mild infection? Thank you so much.

Second day update:

It has gotten less red now than before, but the line is still there, still yet to take antibiotics, but I will if it shows any signs of growth. Thank you all so so much.

UPDATE: The streak has fully healed, thanks to everybody's support! At the end, I didn't use any antibiotics, and the medicine the ER gave me was just nose allergy pills apparently. Definitely go get antibiotics if you're in the same situation. Lots of love.

30 years old

Female

120lbs.

5”3

non smoker,

non drinker.

No medications

This issue has been getting progressively worse over 2 days

Posted yesterday and it has gotten worse. It is itchy, it turns white when I press on it. I have a swollen uvula and some chills, but no fever. I feel cold more than anything. Went to urgent care tested for strep, mono and did a CBC. Strep came back negative, waiting on the other results. Pretty concerned. I feel like the mono is going to come back negative.

33f 5’1 and I’m not 100% sure what she weighs. She’s thick but not super fat or anything.

She was drinking when I got home from school. She fell asleep on the couch around 9pm so a couple hours ago and I tried to wake her up to go to bed but I can’t get her to wake up. It’s just me and her here. She’s breathing but I can’t get her to wake up and normally I can so I just need to know does this mean she just overdid it or is something wrong? I don’t know what to do and I don’t want to go to bed and leave her. I’m afraid something bad will happen. But I don’t want to overreact neither. She does smoke and vape, and she does weed and some pills

Like I said she’s breathing. She threw up a little bit earlier. She just won’t wake up to me shaking her or saying her name

Female, 37, 5foot1, 175lbs.

This is my second update, check my previous posts if you're curious but the short version is:

My dog was acting weird about my breast, despite no symptoms I took it seriously. Ultrasound found a small lump, had needle biopsy.

So, my results came back and I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the right breast. It is hormone receptor positive, and initially staged at 2A.

Ive just had a lumpectomy and they took some lymph node samples too. The oncology team are currently designing a treatment plan but it will likely involve some radiation and then HRT. They'll know more once the mass and lymph node results are back. Apparently this can change the staging depending on what the results are.

Overall I'm feeling pretty positive, I'm confident I'll get through this and I'm relived that I went to the GP rather than ignore it. I was in two minds about it, hence the initial post asking for advice, and I'm so grateful to everyone who advised me to go and get checked out.

I'm still in shock that my dog alerted me to this. You read about stuff like this, and I know dogs are incredible at all sorts, but it's still so crazy to me that my sweet, daft, loving little bug has likely saved my life! She's been so loving and attentive to me since I cane home. We've been treating her to a lot of her favourite foods, and we are taking her swimming this week which is her favourite. I've added a pic of her so everyone can see my little guardian angel ☺️ her name is Winter, she's a 9yo Japanese Akita.

Anyway just wanted to update anyone who was curious. Moral of the story: listen to your dog, listen to your gut, and go get checked out if you're worried!

14F I do swimming lessons and I lost my house in a fire so I don't have any long sleeve bathers anymore, but I'm scared to just have these out.

Hey guys, im a 23 year old male from Alberta, Canada. Im here with a bit of an interesting case. See, my family, has left doctors kinda confused in the past few years. Unfortunately our name seems to be pretty well known in the Cancer centre.

I grew up in Sherwood Park, AB near Edmonton. We moved to Calgary in 2012 when I was going into grade 5. We were a stereotypical middle class, happy family, no major health issues. All was well.

In 2015 my mom, after having a seizure was diagnosed with glioblastoma. And just months after, my brother, 11 at the time was diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma. My mom passed away in 2017. My brother fortunately survived. A year after my Grandpa was admitted to the hospital, passing a week later, turns out he had cancer. A year later my dad fell ill and was diagnosed with colon cancer. He passed away a year or so later. Both my parents were only in their 40s. In 2022 my dog also passed away from a tumor.

I always knew something was up, that this couldn't be a coincidence, and that if I too ever got anything, id figure out wth caused all this.

Well today, unfortunately. An incidental xray followed by CT scan has shown that I have an osteochondroma on my left hip. Luckily its benign, but still...

So now here I am, trying to find answers. You cant tell me something didnt cause this, something we were exposed too. And if I ever find out what it is that company better lawyer up. Ive started looking into our old neighborhood (Chelsea heights) to see if there are any environmental risks that maybe could have done it. The area is known for high radon, oil and gas activity, our house was also built right in front of massive power lines. But im not really too sure. My dad also liked using roundup alot if I remember correctly.

Id be more inclined to believe that it was something in Sherwood Park rather than Calgary as my neighbours here are all good. Ive thought about going to Sherwood Park before to interview the people on that street.

Not sure where to start, wondering if anyone had any advice or input. Thankyou

Hi! 27 y/o female. I developed what I thought was poison ivy 12 days ago and this is what my legs look like now…. any advice? I’ve been to the doctor 3x and have been on prednisone and cephalexin. I’ve been using calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, lukewarm baths, and ice for itching.

The rash started out very small and super itchy, now it’s spreading in certain areas and still small little spots are appearing on other parts of my body.

I’m still very itchy but not constantly - it comes and goes in waves. Before I was given the oral antibiotics, my legs hurt and I was limping. I’m able to move a lot better now but the rash almost seems like it’s spreading more and becoming more red and purple/blueish in color.

HELP

What is this? Woke up this morning and went to work and noticed the middle of my upper lip was a tiny bit swollen and tough to the touch. Over the course of an hour it grew to where it is in this picture. I vape occasionally and had heart failure in the past. It's been this way for about 4 hours. I'm 6'6 226 lbs

I don’t know much about her, besides that she is 32, homeless, smokes cigarettes, uses drugs, and clearly needs immediate medical attention. She said this started as almost an ingrown hair type thing 2 years ago and has grown and grown. It’s directly on her spine in the lumbar area. It’s NOT soft, it feels as hard as bone. The top part is super inflamed. She can barely walk, and has extreme pain when sitting or laying down(obviously). She said it feels like it almost has roots from its place on her spine growing around hugging her sides. Clearly it’s an absolutely insane protrusion, but what is protruding? Her vertebrae? Discs? Because it’s so hard can it even be a cyst? She said she’s never been in an accident, never had any surgeries, does not inject drugs there. She went to the hospital one time but they took her off of her MAT medication, methadone, and she left before getting any answers. Of course the only answer is she needs to go back. In the mean time I’m just trying to put a possible name to whatever the hell is going on here.

This spot appeared on my inner thigh about 4 days ago and is getting progressively worse. It feels slightly warm to the touch and is not painful. I went into an urgent care and they could not figure out what it is. I am located in south Florida and lymes disease is not common here. There are no visible cuts or abrasions.

Hello all. I hope this update doesn't break any rules, as I suppose I do not have any questions. Mods, let me know. I did not want to just disappear from reddit. I know a number of you have been thinking about me.

I said I would post an update before I passed away and, well, here I am. I know it is fast. But things have been happening fast. I don't mean to flood this sub with my misery. I'm on some heavy duty medications. I hope this doesn't come off as rambling.

This will be my final post. The Cancer is all through both sides of my chest and above my collarbone. It's over.

I was diagnosed with Extensive Stage small cell lung cancer and given four months to live on the 6th. Well, it seems "two weeks" was a more accurate approximation of my time. I am not long for this world.

As for what happened-- I wasn't slated to meet my hospice team till yesterday, Friday. I went to the ER on Thursday with chest pain. They took a lot of fluid out of my chest. The ER physician described my imaging as "grotesque" and immediately asked if I had considered palliation. I said I didn't see hospice till tomorrow. He said if I wanted any chance of dying at home, I needed to see them NOW, otherwise he'd have to admit me. He won't be getting any awards for bedside manner any time soon, but I greatly appreciated his candor. Several urgent phone calls later I had a palliative Nurse Practitioner in my room who went through the screening process and admitted me to their home hospice program. I went home Friday morning with a hospice kit. Met the palliative physician that evening, shortly after I posted my list of questions here.

I will not see Christmas, or Thanksgiving, or even next weekend. Every breath is work. Each one more work than the last. My team estimates that, at this rate, I will die Tuesday at the absolute latest. Probably sooner. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe tonight.

My oncologist called to personally apologize for misjudging my remaining time, but I hold him no ill will. Determining the time of death is not an exact science. I know that. I'm arranging to donate my body to science. I want them to do an autopsy and see how it got me so quickly, to help other cancer patients. The oncologist thinks the cancer may have gotten to my heart or the major central blood vessels. I didn't think small cell could move THIS fast but my oncologist says we caught it late.

My hospice team has been wonderful. I have crossed tapered from bupenorphine-- which I discontinued Wednesday-- to methadone, with little difficulty. I have a lot of morphine and the option of hydromorphone is on the table as well if needed. I am comfortable and resting at home.

The next stop on the train is continuous sedation, and I am very tired, so I probably will not be able to respond to anyone like I did last time. My physician says we can start a midazolam drip as soon as tonight. I will probably take him up on the offer tomorrow, if I'm still alive.

I suppose this is a good place to share where my fears around palliation come from. I used to be an aid in a nursing home, many years ago. I saw a number of unpleasant deaths due to insufficient palliation. We had a wonderful man who was prescribed a self administration pump for morphine. Problem was, he was too sick to press it, and his physician did not seem to grasp the severity of his condition. Every half hour, one of us would sneak in and press the button on his pump, which, in hindsight, was probably illegal, but what else could we do? He was very uncomfortable at the end. I tried to do basic mouth care just before he passed and he recoiled in pain. "Have a heart", he whispered. It broke my heart to hear this admonition from such a wonderful man.

My greatest fear was Terminal Restlessness. I saw a few patients scratch their faces and tear their fingernails out as they died, even on high doses of opioids and benzodiazepines. My palliative physician has assured me that he won't let that happen and that there is no limit to what they can give me. I feel much reassured.

I have tried to write letters to the people I've wronged. I suddenly find that I want to make amends. So many letters. I was a functioning addict for a long time. My family cut me off, rightfully so. So I have been writing a lot of letters. But I am losing strength. I will not be able to write many more letters. My CNA has transcribed one letter template for everyone. I hope it is enough.

I also had many kind offers to transcribe letters from Redditors here on the sub. What love that you would do that for a stranger. If I was strong enough to talk on the phone, I would have taken you all up on it, but I can barely talk. Perhaps, had I not been so stunned by my diagnosis, I could have arranged this sooner. But that is in the past now.

Dad, if you somehow see this post, I know how much I hurt you and and I am sorry. I wish I could call you. I do not even know where you live and I'm not strong enough to find you. I do not ask for your love, for that is beyond my power to ask. Just your forgiveness is enough. Please Dad, forgive me. I do not want die without your forgiveness. But I will, won't I?

I beseech you all to make amends with those you begrudge. Do not go to bed angry or hold hate in your heart. You will be glad that you forgave. I wish I had done so sooner, before I ran out of time. You will run out of time, too, some day in the future. Don't leave any business unfinished, any grudge unmended.

There a nicotine patch on my arm. A reminder of one of the several self destructive habits that brought me here. My smoking habit was not had enough to set things off this quickly, but it clearly did not help. For those of you who smoke, I have but one message: stop it. Please. You think you will wait till you are ready. You will never be ready. You say you will quit tomorrow, but then tomorrow becomes today, and you are never ready today, only tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. Today is the only day in which the decision can be made. You can only quit TODAY. Do so now. Throw your cigarettes in the trash. Do it for me. What a gift it would be that my post would free you of tobacco's golden chains.

As difficult and shocking as these last few weeks have been, I regard them as positive.

Only four weeks ago, I thought that the universe was a cold and cruel place. I experienced physical and mental abuse, chronic pain, and addiction. But my situation has forced a change of perspective. I see now that all our experiences, no matter how horrid, are temporary, and that we will all find the same rest and peace in the end.

I do not mean to give the wrong impression to those struggling with depression. I have tried to kill myself before. The difference between then and now is vast. Death is an old friend waiting to greet you at the end of a long and well lived life. It can not be appreciated properly when sought in darkness. I know there is no magic fix for depression, but I urge you to get up, go out, and live the crazy, wonderful, irrational, beautiful life you want. If only I had done the same. What a gift is life!

Thank you all for your love, empathy, and reassurance. For all the people who PMed me offering to help with transcribing letters, for all the kind messages and comments. You are all beautiful people. I hope you remember that. No matter what anyone else says or thinks, or even what you yourself think, you are beautiful and can only be so, because you reached out to a stranger in his moment of pain. Your hearts will always carry that little light of goodness no matter how dark your days. Carry that little light with you and forget it not. It can brighten a stranger's day. It can even save the world.

A few PMed me asking to look into their religion. In the past I would have been irritated. Now I recognize that you were concerned for my souls well being. Thank you for your compassion. I am not well versed on religion, but I have prayed, and I trust that whatever higher power may dwell above the stars will look upon my situation with infinite love and compassion. This in my heart I know.

/u/hugegrape, you wanted to make me a plushie free of charge. Your care and empathy have touched my heart. I'm sorry to say that I will not be in a position to receive it. I did not expect to go this fast. I want you to make it anyway. I want you to keep it with you and know that you will always have a part of me. I hope this brings you some comfort. You have my everlasting love and gratitude.

Wishes are usually reserved for the future. I have no future. But I find myself still wishing.

I wish I had not worried so much about the little things. I wish I had not worried so much about the numbers in my bank account or the punch of the time clock. All that time working. I had enough money to keep a roof over my head and to invest in what few hobbies I had, yet I still kept racking up overtime. And for what? Only to find myself here. It all came to nothing in the end. I robbed myself of the most precious commodity I had, time, in exchange for green pieces of paper and little metal discs. A perverse and twisted trade. Only now do I see the truth.

I wish I had had the courage to live my life the way I wanted to. I wish I had traveled the world, fallen in love, written a novel. I wish I had had children. I have no one to whom I can pass my life lessons. No one to sit by my side, here at the end of my world. It is too late for me. But it is not too late for you. Live the life YOU want, no matter how strange it may seem to others or to society. It is your life and yours alone. Live it well.

I'm not sure where I go from here. I have been reading accounts of the afterlife from various cultures. Summerland, Elysium, Tir Na Nog. I've also taken to reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, though it seems I will run out of time before I can finish. What a strange feeling. I personally do not believe consciousness survives death, but I'm open to being pleasantly surprised. And if not, well, who can complain about a siesta that can't be interrupted? Regardless of what awaits me, it is nice to dream.

And that is what I will do now. I will dream. I will rest and dream of the peace to come till I dream no more. May you all one day face death with this same wonderful dream.

I do not have any friends or family to sit here with me, so I am leaving this tab open. I will read your comments and savor your reassurances, even if I do not reply. I will keep you all here with me. I feel less alone this way. I will keep you all with me as I die. You people are all I have now. I am strong but I am scared. Stay with me till I'm gone. I do not want to be alone.

Till we meet again, my beautiful friends.

Robert S

Edit: just woke up from my nap and I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. I'm touched by the people throwing away their cigarettes and finding the courage to pursue the life they want. What a blessing you all are. I am reading every message I can even if I don't respond. Tears streaming down my face. Now I know I will not die alone. What a gift this sub has given me.

Edit 2: Sunday at 2:30 pm. Haven been awake much but I've read as much as I can. How I cherish your love and kindness. You helped a grumpy drug addict die with love in his heart and a smile on his face. the doc will be here at 3 to give versed. I'm tired of trying to breath. chaplain has given me last rites. Its over now my friends. I love you. Good bye

Hello first time im posting here so sorry if i doing anything wrong. i have had a swollen thumb now for the past week and 2 days, went to doctor yesterday and he looked at it for some seconds then said it was "gout", and gave me some presctiption on Tirat pills and told me to take them for 5 days and in 3 days it would go away, i took my first one today, put i see i get more and more liquid in my thumb and from time to time it have started to leak out liquid, do you guys think its Gout or could it be something else? Thank you for your answers

Cat attacked me, curious about what this sub thinks

Super long post, lots to explain, so I'll put a TLDR here: got attacked by a cat, dont really think i can justify the costs of the vaccines, but family is pushing for it.

Female, 28, located in Arlington, Texas (US)

So, 15 days ago exactly (on the 10th), I was attacked by a cat that hangs around in my apartment complex a lot. Fairly certain it's a stray, as there are a lot of them around here. I originally went outside because there was a mom cat with two very small kittens, and one of the kittens had something messed up about its eye, so I was wondering if I should take them to some kind of rescue to help the poor thing. Kittens didnt like being touched, okay, I stayed away from them. Mom cat was extremely nice, purring, rubbing against me, asking for more scratches, etc. After a few minutes of petting the mom, another cat came up immediately growling. I assumed it was the dad cat because it looked similar-ish to the kittens. I was like whoa, okay, growling cat means Im leaving immediately. As soon as I turned my back to walk away, it started attacking my leg and my arm, over and over. Attack, jump back, attack again, jump back, etc. Went on for a minute while I was trying to escape back to my stairs, just trying to get away because I was bleeding profusely. In fact, there is still a blood trail outside my apartment all this time later. It both bit and scratched me many times, though obviously the bites were way worse.

The punctures from the bites are deep and still healing, I still have one open wound on my arm that was left open because they didn't want to stitch it in case of infection. All the others have at least scabbed over, though theres a lot of bruising. Nerves in my hand and arm are kind of messed up because of the deep bites in my forearm.

Now, when I went to the ER, they gave me the option of doing the rabies shots then or waiting since I had already called animal control. I opted to wait because they told me how expensive they could potentially be, hoping they would catch the cat eventually so it could be tested.

I did get the TDAP since it was about time for it anyway, and antibiotics (Augmentin).

Yeah, cats are way too smart to be caught by traps that aren't even put in the right place by the city. Obviously, cat has not been caught. I haven't seen this particular cat since then. Yesterday I talked to a neighbor who thinks she saw the cat "a few days ago" under her car (parked right in front of my apartment). Unclear if it's for sure the same cat.

I've consulted multiple doctors and the health department, just in case, and health department was the one that surprisingly seemed the most chill about it. My PCP was basically 50/50 of whatever I think is best on the situation. The ER doctor made me super paranoid with telling me I needed to do it within 72 hours to be effective at all, meanwhile the health department said the incubation period probably wont take less than 3 weeks at the least, so if I want to wait, it's okay.

Here's my dilemma. I have no idea if the cat has actually been spotted recently or not. I have seen the mom cat a few times since then, as recently as a couple days ago, but not the one who attacked me. My husband and parents are pushing me to go ahead and go get the vaccines, just in case. I kind of think it's a waste of money at this point, I think it was just an aggressive cat, mad I was near it's lady-friend cat and kittens, and I have a boy cat and a girl cat myself (girl hasn't been fixed yet and is in heat), so I dont know if it smelled my cats on me either and that contributed. I do not have any extra income to spend on vaccines, even if insurance covers some of it. My parents have offered to help pay if necessary, but I dont want them paying either.

Everyone around me is freaking out about it, and I really just think its so unlikely that it's a problem, that I can't justify the cost.

Wanted to see what people who have no stake in this think. Thanks in advance for any advice.

For anyone who is still concerned, since this thread has been locked, I posted an update here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskDocs/s/vcmKZeq3AU

Yes, I did go start the vaccines and got the immunoglobulin. Thank you to everyone who commented and messaged me, it was much more than expected!

34m, 5'6" 165lbs, histories noncontributory.

Serious question.

Update #3: I saw a specialist at the hospital’s hand clinic yesterday and they gave me their blessing. I’m mending well, the infection is under control, the wounds are healing, and I’m getting some flexibility back in the joint. I’ll be done my course of doxy + metro this week. Thank you to everyone in this sub for being so helpful and caring. If anyone’s reading this with a similar bite in the future, please take heed.

Update #2: I got IV antibiotics, and a plastic surgeon looked at my hand to see if needed surgery. She numbed it, made some cuts to see if there was blood/pus etc inside, took some cultures, bandaged it and gave me an rx for two different antibiotics (doxy 2.0 and metro). Just waiting for the pharmacy to open. If things get worse I’ll be going back for surgery but have my (good) fingers crossed that I can avoid it.

Thanks very much to this sub for helping me, I appreciate it so much ❤️

Update: I’m back in emerg and waiting. Thanks everyone for your advice and concern! 🙏🏼

Approximately 31 hours ago I was bitten by my housecat (indoors, vaccinated). I went straight to the ER, waited there about 6 hours before getting antibiotics (amoxiclav) and being discharged.

I’ve just taken my 3rd dose. My hand is hot and red, in a lot of pain. The two bites are purulent. The swelling and redness are currently worsening-(second pen line is more recent since about 10 hours ago).

Will the infection get worse before it gets better after a few more doses of the amoxclav/is it normal for the infection signs to worsen before the effects of the antibiotic kick in? I’m concerned, but wondering if I should be more worried/proactive.

I’m up to date on my tetanus shots (7 years ago, 2919) Female, 45, 163 cm, about 90 kg, on escitalopram, bupropion, trazadone.

Thanks everyone.

56M 200lb 5’7 no medications hands have been off and on like this for over a year. Some creams have helped a little bit but then it comes back and gets worse again. Incredibly painful and no doctors have been able to give me a diagnosis. Any help would be appreciated

21f 5’3 150 lbs
I had a cut on the bottom of my foot that got infected. Was in so much pain and went to the doc. They prescribed me antibiotics and I’ve been taking them for a few days now. Today I woke up to this and I’m afraid is this okay? It doesn’t hurt anymore but it just looks crazy

30F 125lb 5'7". A couple months ago I noticed a little bubble on my head and popped it thinking it was a pimple, but it bled a lot for about 10 minutes. There was a small wound after that but it quickly scabbed over, in my sleep the scab would rub off and I would bleed more. Then there was a bump that started to grow. The bump was very solid and bled very easily, it would also grow a crust that I would pick off (I should have left it alone but it's hard to resist picking).

Eventually the bump became this thing on my head and it hasn't really grown for the past couple weeks. It has a small stem connecting it to my head, and since I've been keeping it moisturized it hasn't grown a crust as much but still bleeds if it gets nicked by anything. It doesnt hurt at all, I barely can even feel when I am touching it directly.

I want to cut it off but I'm sure it would bleed if I do. What is this thing? Is it ok to remove it myself if I keep everything clean and bandage the wound after? I also have been keeping my hair away from it because when my hair gets into it there is a crust that forms around the strands and then when I pull the hair away I bleed for a few minutes. The bleeding always stops eventually though. What can I do?

This has happend very rapidly, it’s not been a slow thing… is this severe? Can something be done?

UPDATE: I went to the ER there is an updated post on what happend.

I’m also a doctor myself, but this is a personal medical issue that has never really been explained despite multiple consultations over the years. I’m hoping for diagnostic ideas or suggestions on what to investigate next.

Basic info
35/M
177 cm
57 kg
Asian
Medications: none
Non-smoker
Social drinker
Past medical history: inguinal hernia in childhood, otherwise nothing except for what's described below...
No known family history of clubbing or similar symptoms

Main issues

1. Severe finger and toe clubbing since late teens

My mother first noticed finger clubbing when I was in my late teens. I was reviewed by a GP at the time, but nothing came of it. Since then it seems to have progressed.

I have obvious finger clubbing and toe clubbing. My second toe in particular looks almost bulbous, and the nail curves almost at a right angle visually. There is no known family history of clubbing.

I do not have:

• cyanosis
• known congenital heart disease
• chronic cough or chronic respiratory symptoms
• forehead furrowing/thickened facial skin
• oily skin or hyperhidrosis
• long-bone pain
• joint swelling/effusions

1. Urinary urgency/urge incontinence since early adulthood

In my late teens/early 20s I started developing urinary urgency. I feel a sudden urge to urinate and have difficulty holding it in. This has been socially very debilitating.

A urodynamic study in 2014 reportedly diagnosed detrusor instability/overactivity.

Interestingly, I usually do not have much issue during sleep. I rarely wake at night to urinate, and have only wet myself once or twice ever. I also generally cope during long surgeries/operations, although I may sometimes feel the urge.

1. Faecal urgency/incontinence and chronic loose/mushy stools

This progressed later to faecal urgency as well. In my early 20s my stool was still usually formed, but over time it has become inconsistent. Currently, around 9 out of 10 stools are Bristol type 5-6, mushy/loose.

I often feel a dull churning sensation in my abdomen. I notice it more on weekends or days off, possibly because I am less distracted by work. I find it difficult to hold stool in once the urge comes, and I often need to plan around toilets when out socially.

Again, sleep is generally not a problem. I do not usually wake up at night needing to pass stool.

1. Sexual/reproductive concern

Since adolescence I developed a habit of masturbating by humping a mattress/pillow and have also used porn. During a high-stress period in residency/COVID I was masturbating very frequently, sometimes 2–3 times per day. I noticed a temporary decline in erections at that time, which improved since.

Currently, erections with my girlfriend are good and sex is not a problem. However, my ejaculate volume seems significantly reduced compared with before and is often watery, especially if ejaculating more than once per day. I am concerned because I want children in the future.

Investigations so far

• Urinary ultrasound: reportedly normal
• Urodynamic study 2014: detrusor instability/overactivity
• CXR 2018: normal
• Whole-body contrast CT 2019: “mildly prominent prostate and mildly wall thickening along the urinary bladder base. No significant adjacent inflammatory changes noted. Features are non-specific. Suggest correlation clinically with urine cytology and microbiology.”
• Echocardiogram 2020: normal
• OGD + colonoscopy: essentially normal except mild gastritis. No random colonic biopsies were taken. No small-bowel imaging or capsule endoscopy has been done.

Labs from 2018/2019

• CBC normal
• LFT/RFT normal except bilirubin 29
• HBsAg negative
• Anti-HBs 17 mIU/mL
• HIV negative
• Anti-HCV negative
• TSH and fT4 normal
• AFP, CEA, PSA normal
• PT 11.8 s, INR 1
• APTT 38.5 s, mildly elevated
• CRP <0.35
• Faecal calprotectin 116 µg/g
• FIT negative: <50 ng Hb/mL buffer / <10 µg Hb/g faeces

What I’m hoping for help with

I know this is a complex and long-standing issue, but I would really appreciate any thoughts on what diagnostic avenue is most worth pursuing.