OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Concerns About My Child's Chest Mark

7/3/2025, 2:00:46 AMMale25-34

I’m worried about a mark located in the center of my three-year-old's chest. It resembles a bruise, and I've heard that such bruises in the central part of the body could indicate something serious. Although she’s quite energetic and doesn’t appear fatigued, her sleeping schedule has been inconsistent. Some nights, she’s asleep by 7 or 8 p.m., while on other nights it stretches to 9 or 10 p.m. She typically wakes up between 6 and 8 a.m. At daycare, she occasionally takes short naps. I've noticed several bruises on her legs near her knees, which come and go. Part of the reason for this could be her tendency to throw herself onto the floor when upset. As for the mark on her chest, I believe it may have come from when I hold her up by her torso in the shower to rinse out her hair, as she tends to fight and squirm during bath time. Her last blood test was conducted in June and the results were normal, which gives me some relief, but I can’t shake this feeling of paranoia and would appreciate any thoughts on this matter. During the winter, she tends to catch colds frequently, likely due to her daycare exposure. Every few weeks, she develops green mucus that lasts for about a month until she’s treated with antibiotics. Last year, prior to her adenoidectomy, she was sick more often. This winter has seen improvement, though from November to March, it still feels like she struggles with illness. I’ve shared a photo of her bruise in the comments for further insight.

ArthritisLupusFibromyalgia

Answers (1)

Cony

7/3/2025, 2:01:29 AM

OpenHealth AI

It’s understandable to feel concerned about your child's health, especially when it comes to visible changes like bruises. Here are the main points regarding the mark on your child's chest and the bruises on her legs:

  1. Bruises in Children: It's quite common for young children to have bruises due to their active play. The mark on your child's chest, resembling a bruise, may be benign, especially if it correlates with her activity in the shower.

  2. Monitoring Symptoms: While bruising can often be normal, it's important to keep an eye on any changes. If there are new symptoms or if bruises appear without clear explanation, further evaluation may be needed.

Explanation

Children often explore their environment physically, which can lead to bumps and bruises. A bruise in the center of the chest might result from minor accidents or being held in a certain way during bath time, as you mentioned.

The presence of multiple bruises on her legs could be a result of her active play and behavior, like throwing herself on the floor during tantrums. However, if bruises appear easily, without trauma, or if they seem unusual (very large, painful, or not healing), that could indicate an underlying issue that may need attention.

Next Steps

  1. Monitor the Bruise: Keep an eye on the bruise in the center of her chest. If it changes in color, size, or if any other symptoms (like pain, swelling, or fever) develop, consider looking for further advice.

  2. Observe Other Bruises: Continue to monitor how often she gets bruises and their causes. Documenting when they appear and any associated activities can be useful.

  3. Sleep Routine: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can help improve her overall health. Aim to establish a more predictable bedtime routine to help her sleep better.

  4. Check with Her Pediatrician: Since your child has a history of frequent illnesses and you’ve noted ongoing concerns, discussing these observations with her pediatrician can provide peace of mind and ensure that her health is on track.

  5. Stay Calm: It’s completely normal to feel anxious about your child’s health. Keeping a level head about her conditions and maintaining regular check-ups will help you feel more in control.

If you notice any worrying signs or changes, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional medical guidance. You’re doing a great job by being attentive to her health!

Related Questions

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!

ArthritisFibromyalgiaInternal Medicine
Male25-34
6 minutes ago

Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound

I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.

ArthritisFibromyalgiaInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Battling Chronic Nausea and Vomiting for Over Two Years

For the past two years, I (age 26, female) have been enduring an incredibly challenging health situation. I experience intense nausea daily and find myself vomiting numerous times, with almost nothing providing relief. To provide some background, I’m from West Texas and I currently weigh around 190 pounds, standing at 5’7”. Initially, my weight was about 211 pounds when these symptoms began, and it fluctuates frequently between 190 and 225 pounds. I engage in vaping and consume THC. Previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism, my condition seemingly resolved, according to my healthcare providers. Additionally, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I have consistently faced irregular bowel movements, with stools that are loose and sometimes appear to have mucus. Compounding my struggles, I've also suffered from migraines. I have had an IUD for over five years, experiencing two insertions of the Kyleena device. In December 2022, my battle with health took a severe turn when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, requiring chemotherapy treatment, specifically AVBD (Apologies for not recalling the exact medication names). By July 2023, I had fortunately achieved remission. However, after reaching remission, my vomiting worsened, transforming from primarily white foam to a mixture of 80% bile, any food I attempt to consume, and still white foam. This intense vomiting, accompanied by significant pain in my upper back, escalated to more than eight episodes daily by November 2023. At that time, THC seemed to be the only avenue for me to retain any food. During this tumultuous period, I consulted various doctors who, after confirming I wasn’t pregnant, attributed my symptoms to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Immediately, I ceased THC consumption for over six months, yet the vomiting continued unabated. Each time, doctors would prescribe ondansetron, regardless of my claims that it provided no relief. I experimented with various diets recommended by medical professionals, but there were no improvements in my condition. Eventually, I obtained a referral to a gastroenterologist who intended to perform an endoscopy. However, the procedure was prohibitively expensive even with insurance, and thus was never conducted. This doctor also ordered blood tests to rule out several gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and gluten sensitivity, but all results came back normal. Afterward, I had another appointment with a different gastroenterologist, but the doctor failed to meet with me. Instead, a nurse informed me that the doctor had merely recommended promethazine without conducting any tests or scheduling further visits. When I mentioned the possibility of gallbladder issues, the doctor laughed dismissively at my suggestion. Discussing my situation with my oncologist, he suggested that my heightened sensitivity to food odors stemmed from my chemotherapy experiences while I was working in fast food. While food smells indeed affect me, I'm primarily triggered by medical scents such as rubbing alcohol and cleaning agents. This ongoing ordeal has been overwhelmingly distressing. I now experience episodes of vomiting accompanied by bright red blood, presumably due to a throat tear. When I first encountered this troubling symptom, I consulted a doctor who appeared unfazed and prescribed a promethazine suppository, which does help but makes me extremely drowsy. My nausea persists nearly around the clock, often feeling as if there’s a heaviness in the upper part of my abdomen. I frequent urgent care facilities when my symptoms intensify, only to be met with minimal assistance since this is a chronic issue. Currently, I lack a primary care physician. Whenever I sought one, I encountered skepticism regarding my condition, with some healthcare professionals implying that I was exaggerating my symptoms. Though many physicians who do take my situation seriously seem baffled, I've lost count of the diverse medical experts I've consulted about these ongoing issues. If anyone has insight or suggestions, I would genuinely appreciate it. I can share my latest bloodwork results if that would be helpful—just let me know!

LupusCrohn's DiseaseThyroid Disorders
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up

Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.

LupusCrohn's DiseaseRheumatology
Male25-34
3 hours ago

Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns

I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.

FibromyalgiaCrohn's DiseaseCOPD
Male25-34
4 hours ago