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Unusual Rash: Starts as Large Hives, Becomes Swollen and Darker

I'm a 30-year-old female, weighing 170 pounds and standing 5'8" tall. While I'm not concerned about a severe health threat and don’t exhibit systemic symptoms, I find this unusual skin reaction troubling, as it seems to be more than just severe hives. My history includes allergies and asthma, both of which are generally well-managed with immunotherapy. Typically, when skin issues arise, they're minor signs, such as mild redness and itching or ordinary hives, without major complications. Recently, I experienced a skin reaction that began resembling unusually large hives. Within hours, it developed a vivid pink color, followed by darkening into a shade that nearly looked purple with some hints of brown, especially notable given my fair skin. Although it's hard to document in photographs, my partner commented that the swellings resemble golf balls beneath my skin, visibly protruding through my clothing. This has occurred on two separate occasions. The first episode was a dramatic reaction to scabies, which was challenging to diagnose due to its atypical appearance. This latest flare-up arose after sitting in a cafe chair for several hours, affecting the areas of skin that made contact with the seat. Initially, the rash was intensely itchy while seated but gradually transitioned to a more swollen and red state, accompanied by diminished itchiness. It's now been two days, and the rash is resistant to high doses of antihistamines (I’ve been taking 1 Allegra and 2 Zyrtec daily) and topical steroids like 1% hydrocortisone gel, showing no improvement and, in fact, worsening. Although there are no systemic symptoms present, I've chosen to postpone my scheduled allergy shot appointment for safety. I've taken several photos during both episodes, yet they fail to fully depict the rash’s severity. I consulted with my allergist, but unfortunately, an in-person appointment won’t be available soon, and he could only confirm that this isn't hives. I have two main inquiries: 1) Is there a specific name for this type of rash? How should I describe it effectively in the future? 2) What potential triggers could be causing this reaction at this time?

Skin AllergiesDrug AllergiesHives
Male25-34
9 minutes ago

Seeking Guidance on Unusual Symptoms: What Could They Indicate?

I am a 21-year-old male, standing at 5'9" and weighing 180 lbs. I use Zyn nicotine pouches and consume energy drinks on a somewhat regular basis, and I'm also trying to incorporate coffee into my routine. My fiancé is currently nine months pregnant, and during her previous pregnancy, I gained a total of 40 pounds alongside her due to our dietary habits and hormonal changes. However, I managed to shed that extra weight shortly after her delivery. In contrast, during this pregnancy, I’ve noticed no weight gain on my part, despite feeling like my eating habits have been quite poor lately; in fact, I've lost around 10 pounds over the past four months. Despite dropping weight while maintaining a poor diet, I find myself with an intense craving for sugar. Lately, I have been bringing an excessive amount of snacks to work, as I experience sudden urges for something sweet throughout the day. When I tried to limit myself to a more sensible selection of healthier snacks, I still ended up making trips to the convenience store during lunch breaks for pop tarts to satisfy these cravings. Over the past couple of weeks, I have also been struggling with sleep disturbances. Every time I begin to fall asleep, an urgent need to urinate jolts me awake, making it difficult to find a comfortable position. Even after relieving myself, it often feels like I still need to go, despite the absence of any substantial urge. Most recently, I’ve experienced a peculiar numbness in my left pinkie toe that comes and goes throughout the day and night. Strangely, it’s confined solely to my pinkie toe, without affecting any other part of my body. I've recently acquired a pair of work boots, which, although spacious, don’t seem to be constrictive. I’m beginning to wonder if this numbness could be a result of a fungal infection on my toe; I frequently deal with severe dry skin that I have to peel off from the underside of my foot, but I have not encountered this numbness before. Does anyone have insights into what might be causing these symptoms? I would greatly appreciate any guidance on who I should consult for further evaluation.

AgingLifestyle ChangesInternal Medicine
Male25-34
19 minutes ago

Experiencing Pain During Erection and Ejaculation After Kidney Stones: Seeking Insights

I’m reposting this on behalf of my uncle, who is a 57-year-old man, weighing 170 pounds and standing six feet tall. He has a history of Lyme disease, does not take any medications, avoids drugs, smokes, and consumes no alcohol. Last year, he suffered from kidney stones on two occasions—once in the spring and once again in the fall. His condition in the spring was quite severe, bordering on sepsis, and he should have been hospitalized, as revealed later by blood tests conducted at urgent care, although no follow-up was made subsequent to that. Since that initial stone incident in the spring, he has encountered challenges in his intimate life. He reports that when he achieves an erection, he experiences pain at the base of his penis along with significant pressure. During ejaculation, while he feels some pleasure, it is also accompanied by discomfort. After ejaculation, he suffers from pain at the base for several hours and discomfort in his groin area. The situation has worsened following the second incident of kidney stones in the fall. He has consulted a urologist multiple times, who even had to perform a procedure to address scar tissue. The urologist advised him to sit while urinating to help relax his muscles and to stretch his penis twice daily. Despite this guidance, he continues to experience persistent pain and has been told by the urologist that frequent ejaculation may eventually alleviate his symptoms. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing discomfort, my uncle and his partner have been unable to engage in penetrative sex since last spring, relying only on oral and other forms of stimulation. The urologist has not provided the help he was hoping for, and my uncle feels that the pain may have intensified, leading to heightened anxiety about any sexual activity. He experiences no issues with urination and otherwise does not report discomfort. We are hoping that a urologist can weigh in on this situation and offer some guidance. His partner has been encouraging him to seek a second opinion, but he seems apprehensive about doing so.

Testicular PainUrinary ProblemsUrology
Male25-34
19 minutes ago

Why Am I Burdened with So Many Unrelated Health Issues? I Feel Absolutely Defeated

I'm a 35-year-old woman from India, weighing 90 pounds and standing 5'4". For as long as I can remember, I've dealt with a variety of challenging health problems. At age four, I had strabismus, which was corrected through surgery. Then, at twelve, I started struggling with halitosis and hyperhidrosis, and now, I'm grappling with the overwhelming impact of androgenetic alopecia. It seems perplexing that one person can endure so many seemingly unrelated health issues. While these conditions might not seem significant compared to serious illnesses, they have significantly affected my quality of life. To add to this, I don't consider myself conventionally attractive, which keeps me from dating; I'm just not ready to face the potential insults that come with it. It honestly feels like I've been dealt a bad hand in the genetic lottery. My teenage years were particularly difficult—losing my mother at 13 meant I had to navigate adulthood largely on my own. I try to avoid self-pity, but I can't help but wonder why one individual should have to endure so much. As far as I know, no effective treatment exists for halitosis. For androgenetic alopecia, continuous use of minoxidil is necessary, and the same holds true for hyperhidrosis—there's no definitive cure. It raises my frustration; why do I have to manage all these issues simultaneously? Individuals with strabismus, halitosis, or alopecia typically focus on just one problem, yet I face an accumulation of them. It’s hard not to feel unlucky in this situation, leading me to despair. I apologize for venting my thoughts; I just feel utterly overwhelmed.

AgingSupplementsFamily Medicine
Male25-34
19 minutes ago

Stopped Birth Control - Seeking Insight After 6 Months

Hello everyone, I’m a 19-year-old female who recently discontinued using Microgestin 1/20 after a six-month period. I’ll try to keep this concise, as my doctor provided one perspective, yet what I find online suggests something different, and I’m looking for clarity. To give you some background, I began taking birth control in January. During June, my schedule was hectic, leading me to take my pill at varying times each day. When July rolled around, I entered my placebo week but did not experience a menstrual cycle. At one point, I felt unusually weak in the shower and almost fainted; fortunately, after hydrating and consuming some vitamin water, I recovered (not sure if that detail is relevant). After my placebo week, I began a new pack and took my first pill. The following morning, I noticed my heart rate was unusually fast, which made eating difficult, prompting a hospital visit. That day, I ceased taking the birth control. Various tests indicated I was completely healthy, and I was sent home with a Holter monitor, which showed normal results and I felt better thereafter. Subsequently, I experienced significant stomach irritation, inability to eat, vomiting, erratic bowel movements, and excessive gas due to not eating, symptoms that persisted for about a week and a half. This eventually subsided, but I was left with severe dry mouth. When discussing these symptoms with my doctor, they attributed it to anxiety and dismissed the idea of withdrawal aside from potential bleeding. However, after researching, I’ve come across numerous accounts from other women who describe similar experiences upon stopping the pill. I’m gradually on the mend but would appreciate any additional perspectives to ensure I’m not imagining things. Does anyone have similar experiences or advice?

Pregnancy SymptomsInfertilityGynecology
Male25-34
39 minutes ago