Unexpected Swelling in Various Areas
Hello, I’m a 19-year-old female, weighing between 90-92 pounds, and standing at 5’2. Recently, I've been experiencing some unusual swelling, possibly lumps, on both my hands and feet. Initially, I noticed this swelling on my hands and assumed it was a reaction to cold water or the air conditioning. Then, I observed that the corners of my lips began to swell—first the bottom, followed by the upper lip. At first, I suspected it could be an allergic response, but I haven't had such reactions to anything before, and I didn’t consume or touch anything unusual. Fortunately, this swelling subsided by the next day. However, soon after, my hands started to feel puffy, almost as if they were entirely swollen. Now, my feet have developed small bumps or specific areas that appear swollen. These swollen sections fluctuate, swelling up for a period and then reducing, only to return a few hours later. This situation has been ongoing for three days now, and I’m quite concerned. Could you provide some insight into what might be happening? Should I consider seeking medical attention? I’ve noticed that the swollen areas are red and protrude slightly like bumps. At one point, my right arm felt swollen, but I hadn't realized it until my husband pointed it out. I was also feeling discomfort in my hand and complained about the pain. On the first day, my body felt itchy, but that sensation hasn’t persisted. Also, I experienced a significant upset stomach on the same day, though I’m unsure if that is connected to these symptoms.
Answers (1)
3/25/2025, 11:50:54 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about unusual swelling in your hands, feet, and lips, especially given the discomfort and the changes you’re experiencing. This could be related to several potential causes, including allergic reactions, inflammation, or other underlying conditions. Let’s break it down:
Potential Causes
- Allergic Reactions: Swelling in specific areas can indicate an allergy. Even if you haven't had previous reactions, new allergens can cause sudden responses.
- Inflammation: Conditions like arthritis can lead to joint swelling and discomfort. Systemic conditions, such as lupus, also present with similar symptoms but usually come with other systemic signs.
- Fluid Retention: Various factors, including diet (high salt intake), hormonal changes, or even certain medications, could cause localized swelling.
- Infections: Sometimes, localized infections can lead to swelling and discomfort.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of when and where the swelling occurs, how long it lasts, and any accompanying symptoms (itching, pain, stomach upset). This information can help identify patterns or possible triggers.
-
Manage Immediate Symptoms:
- Elevation: When possible, raise your feet and hands to reduce swelling.
- Cold Compress: Apply a cold pack to the swollen areas for 15-20 minutes to help alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water, as staying hydrated can help reduce fluid retention.
-
Avoid Potential Triggers: Reflect on any new foods, products, or environmental factors that might have changed recently. Try to refrain from consuming anything new or suspect until you identify a cause.
-
Seek Professional Guidance: Given that the symptoms have persisted for three days and cause considerable discomfort, it would be prudent to consult with a healthcare professional. They can perform a thorough evaluation, possibly including blood tests or imaging, to determine the cause behind your symptoms.
Conclusion
While it may be tempting to ignore the swelling, especially since it subsides, the variability and discomfort you're experiencing warrant a closer look. Keeping a detailed record of your symptoms will be beneficial for any medical visits. Please take care of yourself and reach out for professional advice as soon as possible to ensure your well-being. If symptoms worsen, such as severe pain or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.
Related Questions
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!