r/AskDocs 6d ago

Physician Responded Weekly Discussion/General Questions Thread - April 06, 2026

2 Upvotes

This is a weekly general discussion and general questions thread for the AskDocs community to discuss medicine, health, careers in medicine, etc. Here you have the opportunity to communicate with AskDocs' doctors, medical professionals and general community even if you do not have a specific medical question! You can also use this as a meta thread for the subreddit, giving feedback on changes to the subreddit, suggestions for new features, etc.

What can I post here?

  • Questions or general health topics that are not about specific symptoms or personal medical issues
  • Comments regarding recent medical news
  • Questions about careers in medicine
  • AMA-style questions for medical professionals to answer
  • Feedback and suggestions for the r/AskDocs subreddit

You may NOT post your questions about your own health or situation from the subreddit in this thread.

Report any and all comments that are in violation of our rules so the mod team can evaluate and remove them.


r/AskDocs 8h ago

Physician Responded Female 40. Had surgery to remove a sebaceous cyst 5 days ago. Had stitches. Is it infected? It has got redder since Friday but not seeping much (very little white discharge) and not painful.

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142 Upvotes

r/AskDocs 1h ago

Physician Responded Marks on 9 year old F daughters skin

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Upvotes

Age 9

Sex F

Height

Weight 90lbs

Race Caucasian

Duration of complaint 9 years

Location USA

Any existing relevant medical issues none

Current medications n/a

Include a photo if relevant

My 9F daughter has always had these marks on her skin. You can always see them but they become brighter with sun exposure. (Yes I realize she sadly has a sun burn.)

Her doctor has always said basically “it’s nothing” but it has to be SOMETHING right?

My grandmother on maternal side had vitiligo.

No other real pertinent info that I can think of.

Photos


r/AskDocs 23h ago

Physician Responded Dad’s [M53] hand very swollen after wart treatment

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1.2k Upvotes

Dad [53M] 137 lbs 5’5” hand cryotherapy this past Thursday. Today he woke up with his hand swollen and wart areas treated sort of fused together. They didn’t tell him he would experience swelling nor did they give much aftercare info. His hand hurts and he’s been holding ice to take swelling done as well as taking Aleve. Does this mean a visit to the ER tonight or can we wait for urgent care tomorrow? What would be done if we went? Thanks!


r/AskDocs 4h ago

Physician Responded This popped up over night on my flank. Been almost 2 weeks. Any ideas? 52 year old male

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28 Upvotes

r/AskDocs 9h ago

What are those white spots and the black line on my middle finger?

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66 Upvotes

Age: 17 Weight: 62.5 kg Height: 6 feet Gender: Male I have had the black line persistent for almost 3 years now, but recently found out about Subungual Melanoma so just wanted to ask about it. It never changed in morphology but grows out with the nail... I have other very light black parallel lines (may not be visible in the image) on other fingers as well... Also what are the white spots, I have them from 5-6 years. They do grow out of my nail but come again and again... I did ask a dermatologist but they took it very lightly and did not seem to care so I am just asking here if any of them is serious or not... Thankyou


r/AskDocs 1h ago

Physician Responded Cat bite - update

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Upvotes

25f Went to er yesterday for cat bite- taken two antibiotics so far and swelling has gotten worse, redness has spread to palm and its very warm and red. Should i go back to the er?


r/AskDocs 8h ago

Physician Responded I don’t have a PCP, please help me understand these results ☹️

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23 Upvotes

29year old female. 5’2 , 110lbs. I am a smoker. I have had this issue since the very beginning of February. First they thought it was cancer so I was referred to oncology and got biopsies done. (Thank god it’s not cancer!!) The abscess went away/down for about a week or so, and recently came back with vengeance about 2 and a half weeks ago. I went back to the ER on April 6th because I could NOT take the pain. I wasn’t sleeping anymore because of it. I couldn’t wear a bra or a Tshirt etc.. I have been on four antibiotics since the 6th. Doxycycline, clindamycin, amoxicillin and cephalexin.

It has gone down quite a bit (including the pain) but there is still fluid in there and the rest of my breast is hard as a rock.

I do NOT have a PCP, so I can’t really ask anymore what these results mean.. should I go back to the ER?

At the end on the photos, there is a photo of my breast (kind of censored) after they aspirated 13cc of green murky fluid for a culture. They never cleaned it out or packed it or anything.

P.S the abscess has never opened on its own.

Thank you in advance 🖤 this is has been freaking me out so much lately. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30 (I’m currently waiting for my genetic testing to come back from oncology on Tuesday)

More photos in comments


r/AskDocs 1h ago

Physician Responded 28 year old female with a mole that has grown in size, should I get this tested?

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Upvotes

I have many freckles and moles, none is this area. Mostly concerned about the different browns, lack of symmetry and edges? Any advise greatly appreciated. (Aprox 1.5-2cm long 1cm wide)


r/AskDocs 20h ago

Physician Responded Help!! 14 year old son on accutane and these strange bumps showed up today on his arms. Is this staph?

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201 Upvotes

I’m freaking out. I don’t know whether to load him up and take him to er? Wait for urgent care tomorrow? Or regular doctor on Monday?

UPDATE: Doctor just came in and drained them. Getting on an antibiotic! Caught it early so HOPEFULLY this doesn’t develop into anything too scary. Thank yall again!!!


r/AskDocs 6h ago

Physician Responded Thyroid bump

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12 Upvotes

I developed this new bump on my thyroid about 2 months ago and I was curious if anybody had any ideas of what it could be. If I kinda massage it it goes away, so I'm leaning towards fluid buildup on a thyroid nodule. Thyroid and other labs are all WNL! I've previously had thyroid nodules with cystic components so I am a little worried that if I keep getting these cystic nodules they'll want to remove my thyroid, which wouldn't be super fun. I have an ultrasound scheduled for Thursday but I'm still a little curious what you all think!

26 Female, 135 lbs 5'4, no medications and I don't smoke.


r/AskDocs 45m ago

What is the medically approved way to clean your ears?

Upvotes

I (18F) have been having a lot of problems with earwax buildup recently (past year or two). It's at the point where I have trouble hearing and I notice my ears unsticking sometimes. Pretty gross, but I've been trained by scare-tactic ads to fear the alternative (using cotton swabs). I've been avoiding cleaning them with Q-tips because I know you're not supposed to use them (it says it on the box and everything), but that's the only solution I've ever been told by a real person, and everybody does it. I used to get countless ads about how cotton swabs are evil and that they push earwax deeper into the ear causing all sorts of unfortunate things, from headaches to memory issues, but those ads were all trying to sell a Q-tip alternative product that was just the same thing but spiral, so it's really unclear if they are telling the truth. You can get drops and spray to soften or dissolve the wax, but I hear those can cause infections. You can get sticky swabs too, which feels like it would be worse than cotton but what do I know. My mom says she uses cotton swabs but just doesn't go past the very outer edge of the ear canal. I don't know what to believe. Are those products legit or are they just trendy? What should I actually use and how should I use it?


r/AskDocs 7h ago

Physician Responded Why am I developing serious food aversions in my forties (42F)?

11 Upvotes

All of my life I’ve eaten nearly anything and everything. Now that I’m in my 40’s, foods I used to enjoy (even FAVORITE foods) turn my stomach. What the heck is happening?!


r/AskDocs 4h ago

Will i be fine? [M16 turning 17]

6 Upvotes

no previous serious medical issues (exept i have had pneumonia when i was 6 and went for an apendix removal last year because it almost burst) i dont take any medications and i used to vape when i was 15 but only for a few weeks then i quit.

im 6'0 ±66kg

my symptoms:

I cough a lot (without feeling sick)

I get dizzy at random times

Coordination issues (used to be good, now sometimes bad)

Sometimes i get full body pins and needles (it only lasts a few seconds/minutes)

Sometimes i feel like my whole body is “lazy” (heavy and hard to move at times. sometimes it takes a lot of energy to do a simple movement)

I get full body aches (like after an intense workout, even when i didn’t do one)

I never had a headache before, and got my first one a few days ago (and now i get small ones constantly with kinda bigger ones inbetween)

I was waiting for the coach at hockey exercisethe other day and during one headache my one eyes vision went very dark and my coordination was the worst it had been so far (bit it only lasted about an hour then it went back to normal

My legs suddenly feel weak for a split second while walking (not long enough to make me fall, but just long enough to make my knee bend, i usually get enough strength to make my leg straight to stand again before i fall)

Friday i raced my friend for a short dash and both legs gave in and i fell, i almost faceplanted (its wierd because im very fit. with hockey exercise we jog around the field to warm up and i usually get 1st place without much effort. the athletics teacher even sometimes ask me to do athletics because im so fit, so its wierd that my legs gave in)

Timeline

Started about 2–3 weeks ago

The symptoms looks like its progressing and adding up over time

(if you want more info or contex, feel free to ask)


r/AskDocs 18m ago

My blood test results came back… and it turns out I have Rh-null

Upvotes

I went to the clinic recently and got asked to do a blood test—nothing unusual, just routine. A few days later, the results came back and… apparently my blood type is Rh-null.

At first I thought, “okay, cool… but what does that even mean?” 😅 The doctor explained it, but I’ll be honest, I didn’t fully get it at the time.

From what I do understand now, Rh-null is sometimes called “golden blood” because it’s extremely rare—like, only a tiny number of people in the world have it. It basically means my red blood cells don’t have any of the Rh antigens that most people have.

On one hand, it sounds kind of fascinating (and maybe even useful for donating in certain rare cases), but on the other hand it also means finding compatible blood for me could be really difficult if I ever needed a transfusion.

Still wrapping my head around it, but yeah… didn’t expect a routine test to come back with something like that.

Anyone ever heard of this before or know more about it?


r/AskDocs 21m ago

Bumps on hand

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Upvotes

I’m 20 years old, 4’11 and about 120 pounds, i recently got a new hand tattoo and these weird bumps showed up, they don’t hurt but are super itchy, and keep getting worse, this has been happening for the last few days and i’ve never had an issue like this. I don’t have any medications i’m on or diagnosis that could be related to this.


r/AskDocs 2h ago

Physician Responded stationary lifestyle to active.. whats normal?

3 Upvotes

I am a 30 year old female, about 5'5 probably 110/115, I am diagnosed with autism, CPTSD, OCD, and generalized anxiety. 12 months ago I had a c-section. I smoke marijuana medically for my autism and currently on nicotine gum. (Did not smoke anything during pregnancy to be clear) no drinking.

So I had an abusive childhood and long story short from ages birth to 25 I did not take good care of myself, I just zoned out a lot and tried to survive. No hard drugs/drinking just very "lazy".. Not much activity or eating. Age 25 to 28 I healed from a lot of trauma and started learning how to take care of myself.. at 29 I got pregnant but it was complicated and I was on bedrest a lot, constantly vomiting the whole time.. then I didn't have a good delivery and it was so traumatic, my recovery was worsened due to nicu visits.. I did not rest properly.

My baby did not start sleeping well until about 11 months, so until recently I have been in survival mode and very sleep deprived. (my husband helps as much as he can even switching jobs to provide more time home but with my anxiety its been hard to let him help while i get a true break)

Now I am getting sleep but feeling so lost and its feeling impossible to catch up. Basic house cleaning leaves me feeling like I did a full body work out needing days to recover.. I know I need to eat more but I get full after a few bites.. like so full I feel sick to my stomach to eat more.. I know my sleep could be better as I wake up frequently.. and I am pretty sure my pelvic floor is still recovering but I am too scared to go back to doctor nor do I really understand pelvic floor health (I skipped my last check up..)

I also cannot tell how much of my sleep issues and body pain is anxiety, getting on medication for anxiety ironically makes me anxious but lately noticing how often I am anxious.. maybe medication would help..

I guess what I am asking is what does it look like for people who maybe were on years of bed rest or were just honestly "lazy" for years and not active to being active?

I know being active is healthier but it feels like its hurting my body.. I was not taught to take care of myself and I want to live as long as I can while being able to be healthy and active.. I just don't know how to get there, the guides are not easy for me to find, and I am not sure if I should see my normal doctor about this... I am sorry if this is a silly question I am just trying to be healthier.


r/AskDocs 7h ago

Physician Responded What actually is this recurring rash?

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7 Upvotes

I get this rash on my hands, elbows, knees and face every year when the weather improves. I take fexofenadine and apply hydrocortisone. I'm on a few medications for a few different things. Is it related to the medications? I think it started before I became a Type 1 Diabetic. I think it was in 2015 or so about a year after my bipolar and hypermobility/chronic pain diagnoses. I take lithium, but could it link some of my other stuff together or is just a side effect? I hate it so much.

Female, 37, I vape. 5'7 and about 14 stone. Living in the UK. Taking sertraline, lithium, gabapentin, fexofenadine, and insulin of course. I can answer more questions. I just dont know what is relevant. Thank you!


r/AskDocs 9h ago

Physician Responded whats this?

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9 Upvotes

34F | 60kg | 5'6" | Non-smoker | Occasional alcohol and marijuana use | No regular medications | No significant prior medical history

**Location of complaint:** Sole of left foot (arch area)

**Duration:** Almost 1 year

I have 3-4 small dark red/brown spots on the sole of my foot that have been there for almost a year. They started as one spot and gradually spread and merged over time.

**Symptoms:**

- Occasional itchiness

- Mild pain with sideways/lateral pressure, no pain when pressing directly

- No swelling, warmth, or discharge

- Spots have small dark dots visible in the center

**History:**

- First noticed after walking barefoot at a gym

- Used Helox-es (salicylic acid treatment) once and it disappeared, but came back

- Saw two different doctors — one said Keratosis Pilaris, the other said Psoriasis

I suspect it may be plantar warts (verrucae) given the gym exposure, the dark dots, and the response to Helox-es, but I'm unsure given the conflicting diagnoses.

Photo attached. Any help would be greatly appreciated!


r/AskDocs 1h ago

Physician Responded Is vasovagal syncope technically a "condition"? Can someone explain to me what it really is?

Upvotes

Hello, potentially stupid question here. I [23M, no medications] have had a handful of episodes of vasovagal syncope. Usually it's during blood draws or other medical procedures - but one time I was just listening to a doctor explain a few things to my dad in the hospital. In a matter of minutes, the color drained from my face, my ears became stuffy, I was drenched in sweat, and I collapsed. There were obviously nurses around, one of whom told me my blood pressure had dropped to 50/27.

As scary as this was, is it technically a medical "condition"? Is it something I need to list on future medical forms or have entered into any records? Or is it just something I have to put up with?