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Skin & Hair Questions

Knee Skin Issue: What Could It Be?

Hello! I hope you can help me with a concern I have about my knee. I’m a 20-year-old woman, standing at 160 cm and weighing 70 kg. Recently, I've noticed a troublesome patch on my knee. This area has become scaly and itchy, and it first appeared during my early teenage years. Initially, it manifested on my right knee as a tiny cluster of itchy bumps. Despite being small, scratching the area made it bleed and seemed to exacerbate the size of the irritation. Eventually, I also observed that the same patch developed on my left knee as well. After a while, I decided to consult a physician about this issue. Although I didn’t receive a concrete diagnosis, I was prescribed a topical ointment. Unfortunately, the cream didn’t have any labeling and I don’t know the specific ingredients, as it was a custom mix from the office. Thankfully, after applying it for some time, the patches on both knees cleared up entirely. However, a few years later, the condition returned. Two years back, I had a minor incident where I cut my right knee. The wound was small, roughly 1 cm, and I chose to let it heal naturally. This left me with a scar, which initially seemed fine for about a year. Then out of nowhere, the scar began to itch a bit. It was dry at first, leading me to peel off the dead skin, but soon the itchiness intensified, prompting me to scratch it. Now, I see that the irregularity is spreading again. It resembles the earlier issue, yet this time it’s smoother rather than scaly, although it’s just as itchy. I still have some of the ointment from the doctor’s visit, and applying it seems to relieve the itchiness temporarily. Just before I used the cream again, the area appeared to be inflamed due to persistent scratching. So, I am wondering what this could be. Is it wise to consult a dermatologist regarding this skin condition? I did some research online and the symptoms I've experienced in the past seem to align with psoriasis pictures, but the current manifestation, while spreading similarly, does not exhibit the same scaly characteristic. Thank you for taking the time to read my message. I apologize for the length and any confusion in my explanations, as English isn’t my first language. Wishing you all a great day!

MolesPsoriasisDry Skin
Male • 25-34
2 hours ago

Enigmatic Skin Condition

I’ve recently stumbled upon this community and wanted to share my experience! Here's my story: - At the age of 22, I noticed peculiar marks appearing on both of my hands. They weren’t itchy or red, but there was some slight swelling in my hands. - I felt perfectly healthy otherwise, without any additional symptoms. - These marks extended from my fingertips to about the halfway point on my forearms. - Over a span of two weeks, they began as subtle symptoms beneath the skin and eventually surfaced, with some areas developing blisters. - Prior to this, I had experienced chicken pox as a child at three years old and shingles on my back at the age of 19. Since then, I have had no other skin-related problems, and I’ve never dealt with cold sores, warts, or anything similar. - I consulted a general practitioner at the time, who speculated that it might be stress-related as he eliminated the possibility of contact dermatitis. This was shortly after I graduated from college about a month earlier. This incident occurred back in 2008, and I haven't encountered anything like it again. I would appreciate any insights or thoughts you may have!

MolesDry SkinDermatitis
Male • 25-34
13 hours ago

Concern Over New Skin Growth on Thigh

I’ve noticed a skin lesion about 20mm in size on my thigh, and I’m uncertain about its nature. It’s been worrying me, and I would appreciate any insights or information regarding possible causes or conditions it might be related to. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly valued.

Dry SkinDermatologySkin Cancer
Male • 25-34
13 hours ago

Identifying Mysterious Nose Spots

Greetings everyone! I'm a 32-year-old woman, and I don't take any medications. For several months now, I've been dealing with two spots on my nose that simply won’t go away. I maintain a skincare routine that includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, but despite my efforts, these spots remain persistent. They lack a noticeable head, which makes it impossible for me to pop them, and they neither cause discomfort nor have they grown larger over time. I woke up one day to discover them, and they’ve been there ever since. My apologies for the poor image quality.

Dry SkinRashSkin Cancer
Male • 25-34
23 hours ago

Seeking Help for a Skin Rash

Age: 20 years Gender: Male Height: 5 feet 10 inches Weight: 130 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Length of Symptoms: Approximately one week, although the larger area of irritation has been developing for about three weeks. Affected Area: My arms Medical History: No known health issues Current Treatments: Not taking any medications at the moment.

DermatologyRashDermatitis
Male • 25-34
1 day ago

Evaluating a Suspicious Spot on the Skin

At 33 years old, I've recently observed a pale spot developing on my forehead. This soft, raised area has been increasing in size rapidly and was not present back in October. I've noticed it subtly emerging in some earlier photos as well, highlighting the change over time. The spot does not exhibit any symptoms like itching, scabbing, or flaking. During summer months, I do spend considerable time outdoors, but I consistently apply sunscreen for protection. My esthetics specialist, whom I consult every other month for facials, mentioned that this spot does not appear to be related to acne and does not seem to contain any fluid or resemble milia. Given my upcoming medical appointments, I’m attempting to determine which ones should be addressed first. I discontinued spironolactone two months ago for managing elevated androgen levels and borderline polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), after being on it for approximately two years. Additionally, I stopped taking Wegovy one month ago as my husband and I are intending to try for a child following the appropriate waiting period. Currently, I am not taking any vitamins, medications, or supplements.

MolesSkin CancerDermatitis
Male • 25-34
1 day ago

Struggling with Long-Term Nasal Congestion

**Patient Overview:** 21-year-old male For the past three to four years, I've been dealing with persistent nasal congestion, which has been quite troublesome. Despite seeking help from two different ENT specialists and trying various medications, including multiple nasal sprays and drops, I haven't found any lasting relief. Unfortunately, the treatments have been largely ineffective. Both an endoscopy and a CT scan yielded no definitive results. The only temporary relief I've experienced comes from certain nasal sprays that I used excessively, leading to a rebound effect that made my condition worse. One of the ENT doctors indicated that there weren’t any viable solutions for my issue, while the other recommended consulting an allergist for further assistance. **Allergy Testing Results:** - **Immunoglobulin Level:** 283.4 IU/ml - Identified allergies include: - House Dust Mites: 4.90 IU/ml (Dermatophagoides farinae) - House Dust: 2.00 IU/ml (Hollister Stier) - Storage Mites: 1.30 IU/ml (Glycyphagus domesticus) - Casein: 1.10 IU/ml - Chickpea: 0.98 IU/ml - Sesame Seed: 1.22 IU/ml - Milk: 1.50 IU/ml - Egg: 1.30 IU/ml - Yogurt: 0.46 IU/ml - Common Ragweed: 1.20 IU/ml **CT Scan Findings:** - **MSCT Scan of the Paranasal Sinuses (Plain):** - **Nasal Cavity:** The septum is nearly central, but there are hypertrophied middle and inferior turbinates on the right side leading to fullness in the right nasal cavity. Concha bullosa is observed bilaterally. - **Bilateral Sinuses & Drainage Pathways:** Sinuses appear normal and the bilateral ostiomeatal complex is also normal. - There are enlarged soft tissue shadows of the adenoids measuring 32 x 14.5 mm, which may be causing mild to moderate narrowing of the air passage. - Bilateral tonsilloliths are present with no collection, and there is a need to rule out the possibility of chronic or recurrent tonsillitis. - **Anatomical Variations:** The Vidian nerve canals are normal, with no Haller or Onodi cells observed; Keros type II olfactory fossae are present on both sides. **Impression:** The findings suggest mild adenoid hypertrophy and nasal cavity fullness due to enlarged turbinates. Thankfully, the sinuses and ostiomeatal complex appear to be normal. Although I cannot recall the specific names of the medications and sprays prescribed—due to difficulty in reading my doctor’s handwriting—I conducted some research and learned that many of these medications are typically used for allergic rhinitis. Now, my physician has suggested that I consider starting immunotherapy and advised me to see an allergist. I find myself uncertain about the next steps, and I am seeking guidance on how to proceed.

EczemaAllergologyAcne
Male • 25-34
1 day ago

Unusual Skin Changes After Showering

I'm a 33-year-old female and I'm curious if anyone has experienced something similar. After I shower, I often notice a reddish rash appearing on my legs. However, today there were also numerous purple spots alongside the typical redness. Unfortunately, I can't upload images here, but I'll share them in the comments for those interested in what I'm describing.

DermatologyRashDermatitis
Male • 25-34
1 day ago

Inquiry About Blood Test Results (Hormonal, Immune, and Metabolic Analysis)

Since my teenage years, I've encountered various hormone-related challenges. A minor amount of stress can throw my body into disarray, leading to insomnia, hair thinning, heightened anxiety, unexpected weight gain, muscle discomfort, and reduced sexual desire, among other issues. Additionally, I tend to be quite sensitive to heat, often experiencing migraines and nausea when the temperature rises. Recently, I noticed these stress-like signs resurfacing despite feeling relatively calm. In response, my physician conducted a series of tests checking for autoimmune problems and hormone levels. To provide some background, I am 38 years old, have never used hormonal contraception, and the blood samples were collected on the second day of my menstrual cycle. While I suspect my results fall within a typical range, I’m curious if they might still be linked to my symptoms: - FSH: 8.2 u/L - LH: 4.3 u/L - Testosterone: 1.1 nmol/L - SHBG: 104 nmol/L - Free Androgen Index: 1.1 All other results returned mid-range, except for a few that approached the low or high limits of normal, raising questions about whether it’s preferable to be at the extremes rather than in the middle: - Percentage of Lymphocytes: 1.9 x 10^9/L - Eosinophils Count: 0.1 x 10^9/L - Serum Potassium: 4.7 mmol/L - Serum Urea: 3.0 mmol/L - Serum Creatinine: 59 umol/L Moreover, I am inquiring about the relationship between my hair thinning and iron levels. Although I was previously informed that my iron and ferritin levels appeared normal, my ferritin measured below 60. From my research, it seems optimal ferritin for promoting hair health is typically between 70-100 or more. Any insights on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Hair LossAllergologyAcne
Male • 25-34
1 day ago

Understanding Skin Flushing

A 29-year-old man has been experiencing episodes of skin flushing for the past four months. Initially, these occurrences were limited to situations involving alcohol consumption, which he recognized as a common reaction. However, now he encounters flushing daily, particularly during work or after showering, and it doesn't solely stem from increased body temperature. Despite undergoing numerous blood tests that returned normal results, he remains puzzled as to the cause, as there seem to be no identifiable triggers. An appointment with a dermatologist is already scheduled, as there is speculation that he may have rosacea, a condition he has never previously dealt with. The sensations accompanying these flushes are extremely uncomfortable, causing his skin to feel hot and taut. He is seeking advice on potential explanations or remedies for his condition.

DermatologyRashDermatitis
Male • 25-34
1 day ago
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