OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Unusual Red Mark

6/26/2025, 4:30:33 PMMale25-34

I’m a 43-year-old who has been prescribed Zoloft to manage generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and overall, I’m in good health. However, I do experience Agoraphobia. Recently, I noticed a peculiar red spot on my leg, which has a slight elevation. Interestingly, it doesn't seem to cause any discomfort, including itching or pain. Additionally, it appears neither swollen nor warm to the touch. This mark has been present for approximately ten days now.

WellnessFamily MedicineInternal Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

6/26/2025, 4:30:56 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's good that you're paying attention to changes in your body. A red spot on your leg that’s slightly elevated but not causing discomfort, itching, or swelling can have various causes—some benign, others needing attention. Here are the main points to consider:

  1. Common Causes: The red mark could be something harmless, like an insect bite, a small bruise, a cherry angioma (a benign growth of small blood vessels), or a dermatological condition like a dermatofibroma.

  2. Monitoring: Since the spot has been stable for ten days without other symptoms, it may not indicate a serious issue. However, it's important to keep an eye on any changes in color, size, or texture over the next week.

Next Steps:

  1. Observe the Spot: Monitor the red mark for any changes. Take note if it becomes painful, starts to itch, expands, or develops any new symptoms.

  2. Document Changes: Consider taking a photo of the spot today and another one next week to visually track any changes.

  3. Self-Care: Keep the area clean and avoid scratching it. If you notice any irritants such as perfumes or lotions that might have come into contact with it, refrain from using them.

  4. Follow-Up: If the red mark changes significantly, persists beyond a few more weeks, or if you develop any other concerning symptoms (like fever or unexplained fatigue), it's important to reach out for further assessment.

By monitoring the situation closely, you can better understand if this is something to be concerned about. Stay vigilant, and don’t hesitate to reach out for advice if needed.

Related Questions

Seeking Guidance on Hydroxyzine Discontinuation and Dosage Adjustment

I've been using hydroxyzine at a dose of 25-50 mg daily for the past five years. I have a dental surgery scheduled this year that will require IV sedation, followed by a week of doxycycline treatment. As such, I'm attempting to eliminate my need for hydroxyzine before then. While numerous sources suggest that withdrawal is minimal or nonexistent, my experience contradicts this; the one time I tried to stop taking it abruptly, I suffered severe itching along with heightened insomnia and anxiety. I'm looking for some guidance on this matter. Additionally, is it advisable to split the 25 mg tablets in order to taper my dosage gradually? For context, I'm a 33-year-old male, standing 5'7" and weighing 240 pounds.

Lifestyle ChangesInternal MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
7 minutes ago

Unexpected Tingling Sensation in My Left Hand and Mouth

Today was quite unusual for me, and I’m still trying to figure it all out (23F). While I was unloading groceries from my garage, I suddenly noticed an odd feeling in my left index finger—it almost felt numb. Initially confused, I began tapping my finger because this sensation was entirely new to me. I then moved to the sink to run warm water over it, hoping it might help. To my surprise, the tingling sensation spread throughout my entire left hand and into my forearm, although it didn't fully extend to my whole arm. I’m certainly no expert in medical conditions, but it seems like it might be related to some kind of nerve issue? Perhaps I twisted my wrist awkwardly while carrying one of the bags, and it decided to respond dramatically, haha. Additionally, I’m on birth control, and I have heard that blood clots can be a concern, with side effects varying from person to person. My physician once mentioned that tingling could also be a symptom and recommended that I keep active instead of being sedentary all day. I have previously felt tingling in my feet when I first started the medication, and recently, it seems to manifest more in my arms if I’ve been resting on them for extended periods. While I didn’t want to jump to conclusions and think it could be a stroke—since I didn’t experience the majority of the typical symptoms—I did find the sensation in my teeth to be peculiar and rather intriguing 😭.

WellnessLifestyle ChangesPreventive Medicine
Male25-34
17 minutes ago

Experiencing Full-Body Numbness

At just 14 years old and standing at 173 cm tall with a weight of 89 kg, I find myself without any ongoing health problems or medication. Despite this, I frequently encounter a disconcerting numbness throughout my body. This sensation, notably felt in areas such as my scalp and legs, leaves me feeling detached, as if the typical pleasant tingling or sensory feedback I usually experience is absent. It’s as though my body is not responding as it should, leading to a perplexing and unsettling feeling.

AgingWellnessFamily Medicine
Male25-34
27 minutes ago

Worries About Laboratory Results

Hello all. I'm a 32-year-old male weighing approximately 210 pounds and standing at 5 feet 11 inches with a muscular physique. Lately, I've been experiencing severe constipation. On the same day I performed a colon cleanse, I also underwent some blood tests. The results were mostly normal, but my AST level was reported at 38, and my Ferritin level was at 391. In addition to the constipation issues, I’ve been dealing with migraines, nausea, and a lightheaded sensation. Does anyone have insights on what might be causing this or what I should do next?

AgingFamily MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Inquiry About Childhood Chiropractic Experience

Hello Reddit! I’m reaching out to share something that occurred during my early teenage years, specifically when I was approximately 12 to 14 years old. I’m currently 25. (Female) To give you a brief overview, there was an incident when I was leaning down at my locker, and all of a sudden, my neck locked to one side. I was completely unable to move it back into its normal position, which caused me significant discomfort. My father decided it would be best to take me to a chiropractor, and while that did help somewhat, the pain was still quite severe. Additionally, I noticed a peculiar smell lingering for about a week post-visit. This episode repeated itself a few months later, with the same painful experience and that odd smell following the chiropractic adjustment. Since those occurrences, I've only encountered similar issues twice. On those occasions, instead of seeing a chiropractor, I opted for hospital treatment, where I received muscle relaxants that didn’t leave me with the strange odor or intense pain. However, I’ve been dealing with ongoing soreness in my right shoulder, and it seems to easily get strained. My head also tends to lean to one side quite noticeably. I’m curious to know what might have caused the neck stiffening, the severe pain, and that unusual smell following my chiropractic visits as a child. Could choosing chiropractic care over medical attention have led to any long-term repercussions?

AgingFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago