r/medical_advice • • Aug 20 '21

EDITED FAQ: Check to see if your question is on here!

71 Upvotes

This is all general advice, of course, but we get a lot of similar questions so see if yours is on here. It may point you in the right direction.

• ”What bug bit me?” There is no way for anyone to tell what bug bit you from a picture of the bite. (The only exception is a tick bite with the classic bulls-eye pattern.) Use antihistamines as directed on the package to help with the itching.

• ”Is my foot/hand/toe/etc broken?” Unless your bone is sticking out or your appendage is bent at an unnatural angle, we can’t tell if it’s broken. If you suspect a break, go get an X-ray.

• ”I ingested something I wasn’t supposed to/too much of something! What do I do?” Call poison control. In the US, their number is 1-800-222-1222.

• ”Do my genitalia look normal/weird/what is this thing on my genitals?" Please, unless you have a genuine medical concern, we do not wish to see your genitals. We're not here to identify random flaps, marks, or growths. Please direct these to your GP/PCP who can actually examine you. If you have a specific concern, consider making a text post, and we will let you know if a picture is appropriate/helpful.

• ”My foreskin won’t retract!” This is called phimosis, and is quite common. We send people over to r/phimosis for this because they have a wealth of information.

• ”Can one of you write me a prescription?” No.

• ”Help, there are big bumps on the back of my tongue!!” Please google “circumvallate papillae” and see if that’s what you’re seeing. They are normal anatomy.

• ”My period is overdue. What do I do?” First, take a pregnancy test. It doesn’t matter if you’re on birth control, just take one. If you are really and truly not pregnant, then you and your doctor should look for other causes.

• ”Is my poop normal?” Well you can post a picture if you really need to, but please do a google search first. Keep in mind that everyone gets diarrhea occasionally.

• ”Does this need stitches?” If you can see fat layers, then yes. When in doubt, you can post a picture EXCEPT for self-harm pics. Absolutely none allowed on this sub, no exceptions. However, if the injury is over 24 hours old, it is too late to get stitches.

• ”Can I private message you about my medical questions?” No. This violates rule 9.

• ”What do I do about my swollen tonsils with white patches?” Go get tested for strep throat. Manage any throat soreness with over-the-counter meds like throat spray, cough drops, or even herbal tea with honey.

• ”A huge clump came out during my period. What is it?” It may be a uterine cast, which is when a large piece of tissue comes out whole instead of breaking up into little bits. If this happens to you a lot, see your OB/GYN to make sure everything is going okay.

• ”Why is there blood when I poop?” There are many possible reasons for this, such as a GI bleed, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, or anal fissures, to name a few. We recommend going to your doctor to investigate the cause. And we can’t tell what the cause is from a picture of your poop, so please spare us.

• "Does this ECG from my smart watch look normal?" While these features can be helpful in screening for some arrhythmias, they are not diagnostic. The most we can do it tell you whether or not you should go get a 12-lead ECG, which is diagnostic after a doctor interprets it. In short, we can give you an idea of what it is showing, but it is not an official medical test.

• ”I haven’t been around any bats but I found two little marks on me—do I have rabies??” No. You would know if you’d been exposed to a bat.


r/medical_advice • • 12m ago

Mental Health Mental health

• Upvotes

Im not sure if this is even the place to post this but i just need to let it out..

I feel so lost. For 2+ months ive had constant daily thoughts and urges to harm my toddler in lethal ways.
Ive cried, panicked and even tried to run away..i just dont know what to do anymore…ive called my
Gp and theyve given me antipsychotics along with my antidepressants.

Nothing seems to be taking it away and I’m starting to think its just who i am and that I’m a monster, i feel nothing when i look at him just empty, dark misery…even writing this is making me feel a tad sick.

I look at other mothers with their kids and i know that this isn’t normal but i just can’t seem to get rid of it or get better? I’ve even been to the hospital and sat for 5 hours in a&e just to try and get help but nothing!!! I’ve just recently found out I’m pregnant with baby no2 and I can’t even see myself being here to see my baby be born.

I don’t know the point in this post but i guess i just wanted to vent about how my love that i once had for my son has vanished and I’ve now got this desire to hurt him. I’m just so tired and sad.


r/medical_advice • • 8h ago

Genitalia(18+ for photos-list age) 22M Itchy Perineum NSFW

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4 Upvotes

a small section of my perineum (?) has recently been itching and also noticed that it has been flaky (idk). Its like white flaky stuff coming out. Let me know what this is.


r/medical_advice • • 8h ago

Illness How can we improve our ‘family’ immune system?!

1 Upvotes

Hello. Family of 5 here with 3 school aged children, 9, 11 and 13. Wish I was exaggerating, but at all times at least one of us has a cold/flu/sore throat/stuffy nose etc. It’s beginning to become exhausting with missed work, school and sports.

We live in a very cold and dry climate, and we have some seasonal allergies to make things worse. One of my daughters is a nail biter and I know this is a HUGE factor in her health. We have a moderate diet, they eat loads of fresh fruit.

How can I give my kids a fighting chance to stay healthy for longer periods of time. Any obscure tips and tricks please!


r/medical_advice • • 9h ago

Genitalia(18+ for photos-list age) [M30] Lump on my testical won't go away. NSFW

1 Upvotes

Back in May, I noticed a small white bump on my scrotum. Within about a month, it grew to roughly 3/4 inch wide by 1/2 inch tall (2 × 1.27 cm). It hasn’t noticeably grown since.

It’s in the skin, separate from the testicle, and the base sometimes looks redder depending on the temperature or amount of friction. Touching it causes a mild discomfort sensation, but otherwise it doesn’t hurt.

I’d hoped it would go away on its own, but it’s affecting my confidence. I plan to get it checked, but does this sound like something that needs a more urgent appointment?

To me, it feels like a cosmetic approach. If you’ve had something similar removed, what did the procedure and recovery involve? Local anesthetic, an incision, stitches? Any firsthand experience would be appreciated.


r/medical_advice • • 12h ago

Other Lymph node??

1 Upvotes

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm 18 years old, still in school and parents don't care about my situation. I have a grape sized lymph node(or unknown mass) under the edge of my right jaw. My right side of my face is puffy ,my right side of my neck feels bigger, puffier then the left side. My right hip is more out. Back in 2023 due to sleeping wrong my neck was strained and my head was tilted. Idk if that caused some sort of cronic straining ot something. It's been 9 months since noticing it. When I swallow I only feel my left side. My head is almost constantly more turned to the left. I saved money by myself and went to a doctor and they only gave me antibiotics(which did nothing). My parents won't believe me or just keep brushing it off. Any advice or someone who has been in the same situation. I have also tried streches. Nothing works.


r/medical_advice • • 15h ago

Skin issues/Rashes/Freckles/Moles Bump on forehead NSFW

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2 Upvotes

I have found a slight elevation on my forehead months ago and didn't think anything of it. Though still subtly visible, I have noticed that it has been growing slowly over that time frame. And is now a bit bigger than it was months ago. When I raise my forehead up, like in a frown for example, there is also some small line visible coming from that bump. I didn't hit my head, at least not to my knowledge. What could it be?

Thanks in advance.


r/medical_advice • • 15h ago

Mouth/Gums/Throat/Cheeks Flying with a cold

1 Upvotes

So I flew a couple of days ago from Copenhagen to Gdansk and I had a cold (still do). But while the plane was descending my right ear completely blocked. Few hours later I finally got it to pop, so I thought that was the end of it.

Fast forward to today where I flew again from Gdansk to Krakow and now my right ear is blocked again. This time it wont unblock.

I’m flying back to Copenhagen in a few days, and I dont know if I can do that, or I should try something? I’m kinda scared so any help would be much appreciated!

Thank you


r/medical_advice • • 18h ago

Skin issues/Rashes/Freckles/Moles Weird bloody red lump on head? NSFW

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1 Upvotes

26F, 215 lbs 5’ 4. I’ve had this weird lump in my head the past few weeks, it started as a little scab but it grew to this size in about 3 weeks and is getting bigger. It doesn’t hurt on its own but it constantly bleeds and oozes to the point the hair around it keeps getting clumped and crunchy. Slight touch can make it bleed, and showering sucks cause tho it doesn’t sting, it bleeds and oozes afterwards and my hair is dirty again. I’m trying to get into a derm but my insurance requires a referral and my doctor is on maternity leave and I’m having issues getting in with someone else. My husbands worried it could be cancerous, especially as it’s growing rapidly and won’t heal.

Diagnoses:
hEDs (2mg LDN)
GAD (100 mg sertraline)
ADHD (28 mg Concerta)
POTS

mild marijuana use but nothing as of recent


r/medical_advice • • 19h ago

Pediatrics My daughter's right ear is swollen and red. What could be causing this?

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0 Upvotes

My daughter’s (3 years old) right ear is a little swollen and red. This is the second time this has happened. The first time, I thought she had been stung by a wasp, but now I’m not sure that’s the case.

I also noticed a small cut on her right ear, but I have no idea how it happened.

In the second photo, you can see her left ear, which looks normal.

What do you think might have happened?


r/medical_advice • • 20h ago

Mouth/Gums/Throat/Cheeks Are my wisdom teeth erupting or does this look like an abscess? NSFW

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1 Upvotes

Info: 24 male, vapes, occasionally drinks. Takes lexapro 20mg daily and hydroxyzine as needed.

For some background, my wisdom teeth came in crooked and I haven’t gotten them removed yet because my insurance doesnt cover nonemergency oral surgery (I don’t have the X-rays, unfortunately). I’ve been very careful with trying to keep them clean and my dentist didn’t see anything that had changed when I visited last month.

At the start of the week, I started to develop gum soreness near my bottom left wisdom tooth. I’d say the pain is on the lighter end of moderate, but it’s stayed persistent without getting any better or worse. I took a look at it and it appears quite red.

I haven’t noticed any weird tastes in my mouth or discharge, but the redness and persistent soreness is a bit worrying to me. Does this look like the tooth is erupting from the gum, or should I be worried about a possible infection?


r/medical_advice • • 22h ago

EDITED Question about Toothaches and Acetaminophen

1 Upvotes

Little background; i've had a bad toothache for about 2 days now and i've done everything I can get my hands on to alleviate the pain from ice chips, to cold compress, to brushing, to warm salt water rinse, to acetaminophen and none of it has worked. The entire lower right quadrant of my face has gone practically numb [and it's spreading over] and when any amount of pressure is applied pain shoots up my face.

Realistically speaking; I know this is a problem of my own creation with my distain for brushing my teeth entirely [I know I most likely have an insane amount of tooth decay and cavities] and I know I'm gonna need dentures or something by like 25 [the entire problem is a mix of a lot of mental problems I have from texture to me not physically not being able to make myself brush my teeth].

So my questions are;

1: what can I realistically do; beyond ringing up a dentist, to alleviate the toothache pain?

2: How much acetaminophen can a 135lbs T1D woman take before it becomes a problem?

I'm 20, i'm biologically a woman, i'm 5'7, about 135lbs, whitter than a sheet of paper with the sever heat intolerance to back it up, and American. The only medication I commonly take is insulin and Tranexamic Acid; I don't smoke and take any other drugs.

Edit: I woke up early 10/15 at around 1am with my face swollen for no reason [that I know of] and I can't see fully out of my right eye.

I can't drive on my own; nor do I know of where any hospitals are [my old one that I use to go to is a children's hospital], I also do not have a job thus no money on my own. My only way of getting anywhere is to ask my mom/dad/sister/or brothers.


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Wound Care Cut myself disassembling a very old rusty razor NSFW

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2 Upvotes

the cut isn’t bleeding much and is quite shallow but should I be worried?


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Medication I’m REALLY scared of needles

1 Upvotes

I want vaccines but I’m so scared of needles that I keep having my mother postpone them. Every time we postpone them i just think about it more and more to the point it’s starting to affect me mentally. I’ve heard of jet injections but apparently they hurt just as bad, aren’t common in Minnesota (where I live), and can also cause infections. They’re giving me constant nightmares and keep me up at night I just want something to ease my thoughts. Even if it was just for blood draws because I haven’t gotten those either I would be extremely grateful.

I think medication is the right flair but I don’t know what else my situation may be other than mental.


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Other nose bleeds too easily?

1 Upvotes

hi so i (22afab) have had an issue with nosebleeds since i was a small child. everytime i or someone else would bump my nose even a little bit it would bleed. i used to get these nosebleeds all the time just from the lightest touch on the outside and it would be painful too like a pang and then blood. once my dad booped my nose (no joke) and it bleed.

now this doesnt happen too often now as an adult bc i think i just learnt how to be careful not to poke it in the wrong spot but yesterday it happened for the first time in a while, i rubbed my nose with the back of my hand gently bc there was a piece of lint on it and immediately i felt the pain and smelt the blood.

i literally have no clue what this could be, could i just have a sensitive nose? idk if this is related but i also have some trouble breathing through my nose like i cant get enough air

thank you :)


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

EDITED Odd bruise-like spot, not a bruise NSFW

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3 Upvotes

It appeared spontaneously about two or three weeks ago, looked like the first picture and then in the last three days and turned darker and almost a little purple along the outer edges.

No itch, no pain, no warmth. It’s a little raised, but mostly smooth. It hasn’t grown much in size. Location: inner right mid-thigh. I don’t have a history of any other skin conditions, like eczema…no other spots on the body.

(Have an appointment already, just playing the waiting game.)

Edited to add: USA, white, 39, female, 5’6”, 150lbs, hEDS, supraventricular tachycardia (treated with catheter ablation), inappropriate tachycardia syndrome (managed with ivabradine 5mg twice a day), chronic migraines (treated with topiramate 25mg a day and Ubrelvy when needed), depression (treated with amitriptyline 10mg)


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Bones/Joints/Ligaments 2nd look at X-rays

1 Upvotes

[50][M] Looking for 2nd opinion. Stubbed 5th toe on left foot pretty badly ~3 weeks ago. Initial bruising on toe and top of lower foot. Foot pain and bruising gone but toe itself still hurts. Looking at the x-rays I see some suspect spots so I thought I'd ask (if nothing else, because I'm curious what the black area is), You can see a diagonal black area and right below it the bone looks odd as well. On the 2nd image that same area almost looks like a separation/crack The 2nd smaller circle/arrow is another spot that I'm not sure what I'm looking at. Bone spur, fracture, other?

https://i.imgur.com/UhkPRXB.png

https://i.imgur.com/KQ1iosB.png

Any help is much appreciated!


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Pediatrics Advice pls. looking for a pediatric dentist who will put on a crown for a child that needs sedation.

1 Upvotes

Not sure if this is the space for this, my son (age 5 autistic) needs to be either sedated or under anesthesia for a crown for cavities, recommended by the dentist. I am terrified. A child recently died a few months ago near me during dental work. I’m an ignorant. What should I look for, stay away from as I search for a provider?


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Digestion/Stomach/Bowels What’s wrong with me? Extreme nausea preventing eating, hair loss, etc. not sure what to test

1 Upvotes

For the past couple months I’ve been having extreme nausea when I try to eat. It comes and goes but it’s becoming more frequent and severe. It is not pain, I don’t have burning, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain etc. it is like a nausea that is in my throat and chest. I can feel it and if I put food in my mouth I get instantly disgusted and can’t swallow it’s so severe. It is not food dependent, and it happens before eating. It’s happening pretty much once a day. Sometimes it happens before I eat, sometimes it happens during eating. I can’t find anyone who describes this experience and honestly I’m scared to go to the doctor because I feel like it sounds more mental than physical but I know what I’m experiencing. My hair has also began falling out again, has become dry and brittle, tangling like crazy. Have also had some piercings that have been giving me a bunch of issues recently.

22F, 5’3, not sure of weight honestly I lost a bunch of weight, gained a bunch of weight randomly and now have lost weight since this happened, probably like 120. I take birth control (yaz), spirolactone, minoxidil, finasteride, adderall (occasionally) have been on all for a pretty long time. Also take iron. Never smoked or drink alcohol. Have had ovarian cyst and kidney issues in the past.

Looking for ideas on what it could be, and suggestions on what I could do or should ask for tests.


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Mouth/Gums/Throat/Cheeks On and Off Mouth Numbness Since 10/09/26 NSFW

1 Upvotes

Hello! I am trying to figure out what is going on with me.

For context if it’s relevant: I am 25, female, white, 290lb, in the USA (hence the obesity lol) and have anxiety and migraines. On 10/05 I got my Covid booster, hep b first in series shot, and a routine cleaning at the dentist and felt fine UNTIL…

On Friday, 10/09, I left work with a migraine. I decided to take a nap to sleep it off. I am a stomach sleeper if that’s important. I woke up about an hour and a half later and the entire inside of my mouth was numb. No pins/needles, just completely dead feeling. I could knock on my teeth, rub my finger on my tongue and inside of my mouth, and feel NOTHING.

I went to the ER, and after a head CT w/o contrast that looked good, they discharged me in hopes it would clear up on its own.

On Monday 10/12, I followed up with my primary care doctor, who suspected it might be inflammation causing the numbness, ongoing migraines, and eventual nausea throughout the weekend. I was prescribed prednisone and an anti-inflammatory shot.

Today, I feel like it was a bit more manageable, I think I have a bit more feeling in my mouth, but I just don’t know if it’ll clear up at the way throughout the week, and it still gets worse at times (mostly when I’m thinking about it and anxious).

With all of that said, should I try to schedule any other tests to see if something else is going on? Should I wait to see if the meds clear it up throughout the week? And, is inflammation the likely cause/could something else be going on that I should keep in mind?

Thank you in advance! I get really triggered by the feeling of numbness because of past experiences, so this has been a rough couple of days.

Thank you again.


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Other Stopped drinking cold turkey

2 Upvotes

Hello. I 28F have been drinking pretty heavy since 18, the longest I’ve been without drinking was a short break I took back in 2025 which was 8 months (cold turkey) after that I began drinking again pretty heavily (every weekend, sometimes saturday and sunday and sometimes 1-2 days weekday on top of that). I recently decided to stop because I started experiencing trouble sleeping and anxiety. I went cold turkey again, it’s been 10 days and I know it’s sometimes not recommended to do this because of seizure risks but I read that the window is usually 48-92 hours after last drink. I wanted to get advice on this. Given that I’ve been clean for 10 days is it unlikely for most people to experience negative side effects after that?


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

TW [Trigger Warning] Is this a parasite ?? NSFW

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3 Upvotes

I was showering and pulled this out. Not sure what it is.


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

TW [Trigger Warning] Is this too much blood in stool? NSFW

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0 Upvotes

I’ve been bleeding this much for around 2 weeks. Before it was a brighter red.


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

EDITED Safe to start Tadalafil for suspected ED at 29?

1 Upvotes

I am a virgin. I think I have both phimosis and ED. I’m getting the phimosis treated with steroid cream and considering circumcision, but I’m concerned that I’ll still have ED after the circumcision. I lose my erection in 10 seconds after I stop masturbating. And now, going from lying down to standing up in the morning, my erection disappears immediately. I wasn’t able to keep it up while my gf was jerking me off in bed since my erection disappeared quickly once I stood up. She knows about the phimosis and told me she’s willing to wait for sex until it’s resolved, but I think I have ED as well, which has sent me into a doom spiral thinking shes going to leave me.

Phimosis and ED are two awful issues to have. I’m wondering that even after circumcision, I’ll still have ED. So I’m wondering if it’s safe to ask my urologist to start tadalafil at 29 after I resolve my phimosis


r/medical_advice • • 1d ago

Bones/Joints/Ligaments Old ankle injury flaring up - need advice

1 Upvotes

I slipped in rain a month back and twisted my ankle. After 2 days of rest and icing, it got healed and I continued my daily routine.

I have a steep staircase at home where I need to climb 2 floors daily. Sometimes I used to feel a prick but then when I slowed my pace, it got healed.

I was running, driving and walking quite comfortably. Sometimes due to excess driving I used to feel slight pain, I declined it as exhaustion and it got better in the morning.

This Thursday I walked 11 kms, no strain/pain.

Saturday I walked approx 8 kms,theagain no strained/pain was felt.

Over the weekend, when I rested completely, the pain flared up, might be because of the steep staircase.

Yesterday i.e Monday, I got severe sharp pain while driving.

Got my x-ray done and consulted with an Orthopedic doctor. He ruled out a fracture. He told me to check the Vitamins. And didn't give me any medications. Vitamin D is okay. B12 is only 124 - critically low.

Since Yesterday the swelling has started aroun the ankle. Got better in the morning when I kept it elevated.

I have a desk job at the moment, so for almost 10 hours the foot is resting low.

As of now, the pain has subsided, I am able to walk. I'm being extra cautious of stepping around. Avoiding stairs, getting down very slowly over them.

But the swelling is still there since yesterday and slight redness is emerging near the ankle.

I am not asking for medical advice. But would appreciate any suggestions. What should I do?

Thanks in advance.