Scraped Elbow from Dog Incident - Persistent Sensitivity Weeks Later
Age: 30, Male, residing in Los Angeles and currently free from health issues or medications. A couple of weeks back, I experienced a minor incident involving a dog—possibly a German Shepherd—while I was in the parking garage of my residence. As I opened the garage door and walked in, I inadvertently startled the dog, leading it to leap towards me a few times before its owner, who had lost grip of the leash, was able to regain control. During this brief interaction, the dog managed to scratch the outer part of my left elbow. The owner expressed their apologies and inquired about my well-being before departing. Although I felt a bit rattled, I reassured them that I was alright. Since that day, I haven't encountered either the dog or its owner again, and I'm unaware of which apartment they might belong to, assuming they live in the same building. At the time of the incident, I paid little attention to it, as there was no bleeding or visible rupture of skin. Once I returned home, I promptly cleaned the scratched area and applied some rubbing alcohol as a precaution. However, as days passed, I've noticed that my elbow feels somewhat chafed and sensitive, particularly to changes in temperature. While I wouldn't describe it as painful, there's definitely a lingering discomfort that is hard to ignore. Visually, the elbow appears normal—no redness, swelling, or other apparent signs of distress—matching the condition of my unaffected elbow. I'm seeking advice on whether I should take further action regarding this situation. Is there anything specific I should monitor? Given the circumstances, do you believe there's a risk of complications, such as rabies or another type of infection that necessitates a visit to a healthcare professional?
Answers (1)
8/1/2025, 10:10:37 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about a lingering sensation in your elbow after an incident with a dog. Based on your description, your scratched elbow is likely a minor injury that’s healing but may be experiencing some residual sensitivity.
Main Points:
- Your scratch seems to be healing without signs of infection.
- Monitor any new symptoms.
- There is low risk of rabies or serious infection based on your description.
Explanation:
When a dog scratches, especially one that is not showing any aggressive behavior and without visible injury or severe irritation afterward, the risk of infection is generally low. It’s great that you cleaned the area immediately. The sensitivity you feel could be due to nerve endings in the skin being temporarily affected by the scratch or irritation.
If there were no signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus, it is less likely to be a serious concern. Rabies is also highly unlikely unless you were bitten and the dog was known to be infected, as rabies is primarily transmitted through bites from an infected animal.
Next Steps:
- Monitor the Area: Keep an eye on your elbow for any new symptoms, such as increasing sensitivity, redness, swelling, or drainage.
- Gentle Care: Avoid further irritation by keeping the area moisturized with a gentle lotion or ointment to ease sensitivity.
- Temperature Management: Dress appropriately to avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures if that exacerbates the sensitivity.
- Pain Management: If you experience discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help manage any discomfort.
If your symptoms do not improve in a week or start to worsen, or if you develop new symptoms such as fever or any signs of infection, consider seeking medical advice for further evaluation.
Your concerns are valid, and I'm here to support you through any lingering discomfort. Please take care!
Related Questions
Navigating Ongoing Health Issues
A 37-year-old woman is grappling with persistent symptoms that have lasted for several months. Despite her primary care physician's diligent efforts, she is still uncertain about the underlying cause. Now, she seeks guidance on how to refine her questions for her next appointment, as the costs of numerous referrals that haven’t led to answers are becoming burdensome. **Current Symptoms:** - Daily nausea since the end of March 2025 (not related to pregnancy) - Persistent fatigue - Occasional mild headaches (weekly frequency) - Anxiety - Feelings of restlessness - Intense dreams during sleep - Difficulty falling asleep - Episodes of dizziness - Intermittent side pains (right side, sometimes radiating to the back) - Pain in the right shoulder and neck (starting late 2024) - Cramping in the lower right abdomen **Tests Conducted and Results:** - Ultrasound of the gallbladder and liver yielded normal results. - Ultrasound of the lower rib area showed no significant findings. - Celiac disease blood test returned negative. - Normal iron levels indicated no deficiency. - H. Pylori stool test was negative. - Colonoscopy revealed no significant abnormalities; some minor benign polyps were removed, and there was inflammation from the prep, but no signs of colitis, IBD, or microscopic colitis were found. Potential IBS and GERD were suggested following a consultation with a gastroenterologist. - Engaging in shoulder and neck stretching exercises provided only temporary pain alleviation. **Noteworthy Medical Background:** - Took a low dose of sertraline (10mg) for about a year, which caused diarrhea. - Started amitriptyline two months ago, right before the onset of nausea. - Experienced intermittent heartburn over the last five years, mostly linked to dietary choices. - Diagnosed with endometriosis based on symptoms. - Small fibroids detected in 2022, deemed insignificant. - Mild sleep apnea is managed with a CPAP machine. - History of craniosynostosis at birth; underwent craniotomy as an infant and still has sutures. - Adhered to a bland diet for approximately one month, which alleviated nausea somewhat but didn’t resolve it completely. **Considering Next Steps with PCP:** - Requesting an endoscopic examination - Referral to an ENT specialist (to explore inner ear causes?) - Following up with the gastroenterologist for pH testing - Consultation with an OBGYN to evaluate the progression of endometriosis and fibroids - Obtaining a CT scan of the shoulder and neck region *Is there a particular order to prioritize these requests? Is there anything significant that should be added? Would any of these suggestions not be worth pursuing?* Feeling exhausted from daily nausea and fatigue, the individual is adamant about not wanting medications that merely mask her symptoms. Her main concern is finding the reason behind her ongoing nausea, especially after stopping amitriptyline and altering her diet. The uncertainty is weighing heavily on her, and she longs for clarity about her health situation. *Any insights or assistance would be greatly appreciated!*
Addressing Body Imbalances Between Sides
As a 20-year-old male who recently began working out just two weeks ago, I made an intriguing discovery during my bicep workout yesterday: my right side feels significantly less strong than my left. While I comfortably completed 8 to 10 repetitions with my left arm, I struggled to manage only about 5 to 6 repetitions with my right. This pattern seems to persist across all the exercises I attempt; I predominantly notice the effort on my left side, while my right side feels almost absent. I can’t help but worry that this imbalance might stem from a rotator cuff injury I suffered last year. Despite knowing this type of issue is somewhat common, it's difficult for me to fully accept it. In response to my new fitness routine, I have increased my protein consumption and adopted a healthier diet plan to support my training efforts.
Assessing the Need for Stitches on M17's Injury
Recently, M17 sustained an injury that resulted in significant bleeding for approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Thankfully, I was able to manage the situation and successfully halt the bleeding.
MRI Findings Post-Lumpectomy and Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection
Greetings, I am a 39-year-old female who has recently received a diagnosis of stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), classified as ER/PR positive and HER2 negative. The MRI I underwent was conducted approximately one week following my lumpectomy accompanied by sentinel lymph node dissection. During the surgery, four axillary lymph nodes were extracted, and pathology confirmed that all were benign. Despite this, I’ve noticed persistent swelling in my breast, even seven weeks post-operation, prompting me to revisit the MRI results, which has reignited my anxiety. With radiation therapy on the horizon, I find this especially concerning, as the procedure is generally straightforward. The terminology regarding abnormal lymph nodes and the Birads 3 classification has particularly troubled me. I reached out to my surgical oncologist for clarification, and she reassured me that such findings are frequently encountered and often deemed normal. However, I’m keen to know if, in your opinion, this appears typical or if a biopsy is warranted? Thank you for your assistance. Here’s a summary of my MRI findings: Right breast: Postsurgical alterations with widespread dermal thickening. The previously noted periareolar enhancing lesions are absent, including those adjacent to the cancer site, which aligns with surgical margins. There is diffuse enhancement of the underlying normal fibroglandular tissue, with no evidence of abnormal discrete enhancing lesions. There are postsurgical changes observed in the axillary region, with a few remaining small subcentimeter axillary lymph nodes correlating with the surgical intervention and any concerning lymph nodes. No signs of abnormal internal mammary lymphadenopathy are noted. IMPRESSION: BI-RAD 3: Likely Benign. Postsurgical changes in the right breast; no further periareolar enhancing breast lesions observed. The presumed axillary lymph node dissection shows postsurgical changes, with only a few nonspecific subcentimeter axillary lymph nodes remaining, which correlate with the surgical procedure for diagnosis. It is advised to adhere to the current oncological treatment plan and schedule a follow-up mammogram and MRI of the right breast, both with and without intravenous contrast, in six months.
Concerns about a Lump in the Scrotum
I’m a 15-year-old male, weighing 70 kg and standing 168 cm tall. For about a week now, I have noticed a lump in my scrotum that doesn’t seem to be on one of my testicles. It hasn’t increased in size and isn’t painful; however, it feels quite firm. Lately, I’ve also felt a bit more fatigued than usual, but that might just be due to my erratic sleep patterns. Should I discuss this with my parents and request a visit to a doctor? If I do, how should I bring it up? My parents aren’t particularly inclined to take me to the doctor based on past experiences.