Should I See a Specialist After My Symptoms Vanished?
Recently, I was informed that I might be dealing with an autoimmune-related issue, but here's the twist: my symptoms have completely subsided. Initially, I experienced severe itching around the anal area accompanied by some bleeding during hygiene routines. After three visits to my general practitioner, he decided to refer me to a specialist, suspecting either Lichen Sclerosus (his primary concern) or Crohn’s disease (a secondary possibility, although I lack any other signs typical of Crohn’s). However, I spent the past three months traveling for work, and remarkably, I experienced no symptoms at all—except for a little bleeding once during an episode of diarrhea. Now that I’m back home, I find myself pondering whether it would still be beneficial to see the specialist. Interestingly, during my travels through three different countries, I only used standard water methods for personal hygiene. Could it be that my initial discomfort wasn't due to an underlying condition, but rather an issue of scrubbing too vigorously? Prior to my referral, my doctor prescribed topical treatments, such as Miconazole Nitrate and creams for diaper rash. Throughout my travels, however, I opted not to pursue any further treatment. To provide some context, I'm 31 years old, a very light smoker (smoking just 1 or 2 cigarettes weekly), enjoy drinks mainly on weekends, and overall maintain good health and fitness without any medications.
Answers (1)
7/7/2025, 3:02:09 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great to hear that your symptoms have subsided, and it's understandable to be uncertain about the next steps regarding a specialist after feeling better. Here’s a breakdown of the situation you presented:
Main Points
- Your symptoms, including severe itching and bleeding, have resolved.
- A potential autoimmune condition was suspected, but you experienced no issues during your travels.
- You wonder if the initial discomfort might have been related to irritants rather than an autoimmunity issue.
Explanation
While it's promising that your symptoms have disappeared, it's important to consider why they occurred in the first place. Conditions like Lichen Sclerosus or Crohn’s disease can have fluctuating symptoms. Temporary relief does not necessarily mean that an underlying condition has resolved; it's possible that irritants or hygiene habits played a role.
Your experiences abroad without treatment suggest that something might have changed in your routine—like reduced irritation from vigorous washing or even dietary changes—that could have influenced your symptoms.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Your Condition: Keep an eye on any possible recurrence of symptoms, such as itching or bleeding. Track any patterns, especially in relation to your diet or hygiene practices.
-
Prioritize Seeing the Specialist: Even without current symptoms, consulting with the specialist can help rule out possible issues and provide peace of mind. They may conduct tests or evaluations to ensure no underlying conditions exist, which is especially critical if Lichen Sclerosus or Crohn’s is suspected.
-
Practice Gentle Hygiene: If you suspect that your initial discomfort was due to vigorous scrubbing, adopt a gentler hygiene routine. Consider using unscented wipes and avoiding harsh soaps.
-
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Keeping up with your general health practices—like a balanced diet, moderate alcohol consumption, and managing stress—can further support your well-being.
If you notice any return of symptoms, especially bleeding or persistent discomfort, it would be advisable to seek medical attention promptly. Your health is important, and addressing potential issues early can lead to better outcomes. Please let me know if you have any further questions or need more tailored advice!
Related Questions
Experiencing Icepick Headaches and Arm Discomfort
Hello everyone, this is my first time contributing to this community (30 years old, female, weighing 235 lbs, height 6 ft). I wanted to share some health concerns that have been troubling me: persistent pain in my arm and sharp icepick headaches. The arm pain is intermittent, primarily affecting my right arm, which I use for most tasks. Although it seems localized around my bicep, the discomfort radiates throughout my arm. Interestingly, while the sensation feels cold, it is at the same temperature as my other arm. The pain feels as if it's originating from my muscle, but my anxiety leads me to worry about the possibility of a clot forming. Occasionally, moving my arm helps alleviate the discomfort, but it often reappears quickly. My blood pressure tends to run high; however, my doctors have not recommended medication—only dietary changes. What symptoms of a clot should I be on the lookout for? Additionally, I've been plagued by icepick headaches for many years. These headaches strike swiftly and are quite intense, often manifesting primarily on the upper right side of my head, although they can occur anywhere. I mentioned these episodes to my doctor, but her reaction was rather nonchalant. I can’t help but worry that they might signal an impending stroke. I've noticed that these headaches intensify when I'm dehydrated or sleep-deprived, yet they can strike at any moment. Severe instances can cause my eyes to water and make it necessary to close them, though the headaches do not affect my vision. Should I continue discussing this matter with my doctor?
Concerns About My Eye Discoloration?
I am a 26-year-old woman in generally good health. I would appreciate your input regarding some photos I will post in the comments. Do my eyes appear to be in a normal state, or could the discoloration indicate jaundice or another issue? I first noticed a yellowish tint on the sclera (the white part of my eyes) about a month ago; it’s more pronounced along the edges and underneath where the skin typically covers. Additionally, I've recently observed a blue tinge on the whites of my eyes as well! I had an appointment with an ophthalmologist back in December, and everything seemed fine at that time, apart from a slight vision impairment. I am not experiencing any other health concerns. Thank you for your help!
Seeking Insight on Vascular Surgery Outcome
I am reaching out for advice regarding my father’s recent medical experience. He is a 79-year-old Caucasian male in relatively good health aside from persistent back pain, which affects his mobility. He does not have diabetes or heart conditions, but he experiences issues with cholesterol and blood pressure—though these are well managed with medication. Last June, we went through a series of medical clearances in preparation for a possible stenting procedure. This involved two imaging sessions that revealed a tortuous iliac artery, necessitating access from his right side. During our discussions with the vascular surgeon, she assured us that this approach was acceptable. However, on the day of the surgery, following sedation, the surgical team attempted to access from the left side. They soon discovered that they were unable to proceed due to the iliac composition, which contradicted their earlier assessment that access from the right was required. It appears that either the surgeon overlooked or failed to communicate this crucial detail, resulting in the cancellation of the procedure. He was brought out of sedation and instructed to reschedule the surgery. I suspect the surgeon did not thoroughly review his imaging prior to the operation. This incident has raised several concerns, as the postponement means we now have to redo all necessary imaging and cardio evaluations. Additionally, my father has begun experiencing new symptoms including pain and a feeling of heaviness in both legs, which have exacerbated his existing mobility problems. The latest ultrasounds show significant new findings that were not addressed by the surgeon; she merely noted that the right aneurysm has not enlarged and that the stent procedure is still viable. I was not present at the appointment, and it is troubling that no mention was made of the new data during the consultation. Given these circumstances, should we consider seeking a second opinion or directly reach out to the surgeon to discuss the new imaging results? Your guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Concerned About Blood Vomiting?
I’m a 19-year-old female, and I’m feeling quite anxious about something that just happened. After wiping my mouth, I noticed blood, and when I looked in the toilet, there was even more—much more than what I had initially noticed. It resembled a large dot, perhaps even a bit larger. Could this be a clot? When I touched it, it had a jelly-like consistency. I apologize for bringing this up, and I know it might seem like a silly inquiry, but I’m genuinely worried and uncertain if this is serious or not.
Should I Visit the ER or Consult My Doctor Again?
At 24 years old, I find myself in a concerning health situation. Normally, I take iron supplements due to low iron levels, but I've neglected to take them since falling ill. My sickness began on Monday with a sore throat. The following morning, the discomfort intensified, and I've been alternating between feeling chilled and overheated, though I didn’t have a fever from Tuesday to Friday. However, on Friday, I registered a mild fever of 37.3-37.4 degrees Celsius, prompting me to visit a walk-in clinic. In addition to the sore throat and slight fever, I experienced chills, sweats, nasal congestion, and a simultaneous runny nose. There was green and yellow phlegm as well as frothy white mucus from my nose and throat. I was plagued by coughing, sneezing, sinus pressure, abdominal pain, burping, and mild acid reflux. I had frequent bowel movements after each meal but then became constipated for three days. Fatigue was overwhelming during this period. My last illness occurred at the end of January, when I had a cold lasting three days. Post-illness, I started developing reflux symptoms that my doctor attributed to the cold, advising me to take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for two weeks. I intended to discuss my symptoms with my GP after my walk-in visit, where I learned that if I managed the reflux without medication, PPIs were unnecessary. The doctor also diagnosed me with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I managed my diet effectively for a few weeks and then returned to a normal diet, which resulted in a recurrence of symptoms. My doctor indicated that I might need to stay on PPIs for three months before considering an endoscopy, which I was reluctant to do, so I adjusted my diet again, alleviating the symptoms temporarily. Now, following my recent illness, those reflux symptoms have returned vigorously. I suspect they may have initially flared up at the end of June, but I dismissed them, possibly attributing them to my daily use of Advil for jaw pain in May. It has been seven days since the onset of my current sickness. The walk-in clinic prescribed antibiotics for the various symptoms I described, but after six doses, I have yet to see any improvement. I am concerned it might be a viral infection rather than bacterial, especially since the throat swab results are still pending. My primary worry arose a few hours ago when I coughed up yellow and green phlegm containing blood. Furthermore, after hydrating and increasing my fiber intake, I had a bowel movement that revealed light pink material in my stool. I have encountered this issue before, back in March, but it resolved at that time. Now that it has returned, I’m left wondering about the source of the blood in my phlegm and the significance of the pink material in my stool. Additionally, I continue to experience abdominal pain, and I’m unsure whether it is linked to IBS or my current illness.