Strange mirrored skin lesion near the waist
I’m a 20-year-old male, weighing 130 kg and standing 1.85 m tall, so I have a few extra pounds and some stretch marks around my waistline. Yesterday, as I stood up and adjusted my pants, I noticed a peculiar mark on my left side right along one of those stretch marks that suddenly began to bleed. Initially, I assumed it was simply a pimple, but when I pressed it, the pain was intense, more like a stab than typical acne discomfort. A notable amount of dark blood, including some thick, gelatinous clots, oozed out at first before it transitioned to more standard dark blood. The bleeding ceased once I stopped applying pressure, but it felt as though there could have been more if I had continued to press. I cleaned the area and applied a bandage; afterward, the pain wasn't significant. Here's where it gets strange: Around 24 hours later, I discovered a similar lesion developing on the opposite side of my waist, as if it were a mirror image, perfectly aligned if you imagined a line cutting straight down the middle. The new spot hasn't burst yet and isn't painful, but it has a similar sensation just beneath the skin. I decided to bandage it as a precaution since I'm hesitant to pop it. I have no fever, no severe discomfort, and generally, I feel well overall. I have a doctor's appointment coming up in a few days, but I’m curious if anyone might have insights into what this could be and how best to handle it. Unfortunately, I can't upload images here, but if anyone requires more details, feel free to reach out via direct message.
Answers (1)
8/9/2025, 1:01:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've encountered a concerning skin lesion, especially with the bleeding and mirrored nature of the new spot. Here's a breakdown of what you might be experiencing, along with some recommendations on how to proceed.
Key Insights:
- Lesion Characteristics: The bleeding, pain, and mirrored appearance of the lesions suggest a possibly inflammatory or dermatological condition, which requires attention.
- Current Situation: While you feel generally well without fever or severe discomfort, any new skin lesions should be monitored closely, especially if they involve bleeding.
Possible Explanations:
- Pilar Cyst: These can occur near hair follicles and sometimes bleed or become inflamed.
- Folliculitis or Boils: They’re usually painful lumps that can develop due to follicle infections.
- Dermatological Conditions: Your skin type, associated with stretch marks, could be more prone to various skin issues, including cysts or vascular lesions.
Immediate Steps to Take:
- Do Not Pop: Avoid squeezing or popping the new lesion. This may cause further irritation or introduce infection.
- Keep It Clean: Maintain hygiene by cleaning the area gently with mild soap and water. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment if necessary to prevent infection.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on any changes in size, coloration, pain level, or if the new lesion starts to ooze or bleed.
- Track Your Lesions: Note down any details about the lesions (size, changes, pain levels) to discuss during your upcoming appointment, which is very important.
When to Seek Attention:
- If you notice spreading redness or warmth around the area.
- If the new lesion becomes painful, increases in size rapidly, or starts to ooze or bleed.
- If you develop any systemic symptoms like fever or malaise.
Conclusion:
You've done well by bandaging the area and planning to see a doctor, which is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Keeping track of any changes will help your healthcare provider assess the situation better. If any alarming changes occur before your appointment, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical advice.
Feel free to reach out for further assistance or updates as you watch how your skin responds.
Related Questions
Living with an Elusive Illness for Over a Decade
Hello, everyone. I’m a 36-year-old woman residing in Texas, USA, weighing 147 pounds and currently not on any medication. I apologize in advance for the lengthy message. It all began back in 2013 when I experienced several months of severe constipation. My efforts to relieve this issue were futile. In December of that same year, I underwent a root canal procedure. Following that appointment, I felt under the weather, but I attributed it to the typical winter season. Soon after, I discovered that I was expecting. Throughout my pregnancy, I sensed that something was off. I noticed that store lights seemed excessively bright, and in general, I simply felt unwell. Since this was my first pregnancy, I assumed it was just a part of the experience. Unfortunately, I suffered a miscarriage a few weeks later, and various additional symptoms began to arise. In my quest for relief, I opted to have the tooth that had undergone the root canal extraction, thinking it might alleviate my issues, but that didn’t yield any results either. Over the years, I have received conflicting diagnoses of mold and Lyme disease from various healthcare professionals. Some insisted it was mold and dismissed Lyme as the issue, while others argued the opposite. Despite undergoing treatment for both conditions, I saw no significant improvement. Financial constraints have limited my ability to seek further medical assistance, especially given the high costs associated with many practitioners. As a result, I’ve been grappling with this unidentified illness for years, feeling increasingly hopeless. Some days, I worry that my health is deteriorating and fear I might never return to a state of normalcy. In fact, I would feel grateful for even a 60-70 percent improvement at this stage. Here is a comprehensive list of my symptoms, which have continued to expand over time: - Persistent brain fog that feels constant, akin to being tipsy with an overwhelming sense of confusion and sluggishness. - A persistent sensation of toxicity in my head. - Heightened sensitivity to light. - Severe migraines. - A swaying feeling that worsens with intense movement. - Distressing gastrointestinal problems, including constipation, bloating, stomach cramps, and acid reflux. - Sharp pains throughout my body, accompanied by burning sensations and a pins-and-needles feeling. - Intense cramping and twitching in my hands, feet, and calves. - Dryness in my eyes and mouth. - Muscle and joint discomfort. - Small itchy bumps that often emerge after consuming certain foods that my system appears to reject. - Notable hair thinning. - Episodes of nausea. - Excessive sweating. - Fluctuating body temperature (ranging from 99.5 to normal). - Persistent thirst that remains unquenchable. - Frequent urges to urinate. - Painful menstrual cycles. - Numbness. - Redness in knuckles during physical exertion. - Occasional vertigo. - Chronic fatigue. - Sudden awakenings accompanied by anxiety and rapid heartbeat. - Palpitations. That covers most of the symptoms I can recall, and I suspect there are even more. Living with an unidentified illness can be incredibly challenging, and I empathize with anyone else who is in a similar situation, struggling to find answers. My thoughts are with all of you facing this daunting experience.
Eczema Issues at 20: Was My Job and Weight a Factor?
At the age of 20, I experienced a significant flare-up of eczema. During that time, my weight was approximately 55 kilograms, which is about 121 pounds. I spent my days working in lettuce fields, where I frequently came into contact with pesticides. My eating habits were poor; I hardly consumed enough food, and this resulted in moments where I almost fainted before I could take my first break, likely due to my low weight. Now, at 26 years of age, I have grown to about 6 feet tall and weigh around 145 pounds. I feel considerably healthier, and the eczema has almost completely cleared up. Do you think the combination of my low weight and daily exposure to the warm greenhouse environment, along with pesticides, contributed to my eczema? Was being underweight a potential factor in compromising my immune system?
Concerns About a Tongue Piercing
**Patient Information** - **Age:** 21 years - **Gender:** Female - **Height:** 5 feet 7 inches - **Weight:** Approximately 250 pounds - **Ethnicity:** Native American **Duration of Symptoms** - Since 10:30 AM on August 8th **Symptoms Location** - Abdomen **Pre-existing Medical Conditions** - Anemia; unsure if it is relevant. Suspect possible improper constriction in the abdominal area. Unable to afford an MRI for confirmation. **Current Medications** - None I realize this kind of situation is quite common and often the outcome is harmless. Initially, I wasn't overly concerned, but approximately two hours ago, my anxiety heightened. My stools have become less solid, I skipped dinner due to a lack of appetite, and I am experiencing significant discomfort in my midsection, characterized by cramping and sharp pains. Thankfully, the bar of my piercing is internally threaded, which reduces potential risks. Additionally, I've noticed an increase in gas lately.
Understanding Torsional Nystagmus in Simple Terms
Hello everyone! I’m a 32-year-old woman and during a recent medical evaluation, they noted that I experienced instances of pure torsional nystagmus, which was described as being absent of an upbeat and burst component. I’m quite puzzled by this diagnosis and would love to have it explained in simpler terms. What exactly does this condition entail, and is there anything specific I need to do about it? After searching online, I still find myself confused. Additionally, since I don’t currently have a family physician, should I consider seeking a referral to get more clarity on this issue?
Concerns About Potential Acute Kidney Injury
Hey there, I'm a 17-year-old girl, standing at 5'8" and weighing around 133 pounds. I recently posted about my worries regarding urinary retention during a road trip due to a shy bladder. I have additional thoughts to share and I'm beginning to worry that I might be experiencing acute kidney injury (AKI) and could really use some guidance. For those who might have missed my earlier message, I apologize for the repetition, but it really provides necessary context. Typically, my family breaks our long road trips into two days, stopping at budget motels for the night. This summer, we traveled from Illinois to Myrtle Beach. During our initial drive towards Myrtle Beach a week ago, I lost track of how long I held my urine, though I doubt it was the exaggerated 13 hours I mentioned earlier. Out of fear of needing to go, I've consciously reduced my fluid intake during these trips. When we finally arrived at our Airbnb on the second day—maybe even the next day, which was our first full day of vacation—I was puzzled by the significant drop in my urge to urinate and the minimal amount I was able to pass. It felt like trying to squeeze droplets from a lemon. This situation sent me into a panic as I feared I might need IV hydration (my anxiety about health isn’t helping). However, after that scare, I forced myself to hydrate a lot the next day, which resulted in excessive urination. What's been troubling is that subsequently, I was not drinking much yet continued to pee frequently, and it seemed to stabilize only on our departure day—the last day of the trip about a week later. Now, regarding our return journey: Two days ago when we left the hotel, I had a pressing need to relieve myself during the trip. However, we made an unplanned stop because my dad wanted to explore another city, allowing me to finally empty my bladder. The following day (yesterday), we started our drive back. Since our previous day’s journey was short due to proximity to Myrtle Beach, we had a long 13-hour drive ahead since my parents preferred not to stay at another hotel. That day was particularly difficult—I held my urge for too long, resulting in a loss of the feeling altogether until I finally relieved myself, although I felt somewhat dehydrated. The most concerning aspect came today. It’s currently 11 PM, and I've only used the restroom three times since waking up at 9 AM, with two of those instances amounting to very little. I did manage to urinate approximately thirty minutes ago, which felt somewhat normal, but I’m anxious about what tomorrow might bring. I’ve done some research online (I know, not always advisable), and it outlined a pattern of AKI—varying between small amounts of urine one day and significantly more the next. Considering I've had two injuries happening in quick succession, I feel my risk for lasting kidney damage could be higher. I trust that actual medical professionals have deeper insights. My family, including my grandmother, who is a retired doctor from the former Soviet Union (so I’m skeptical of her advice), keeps reminding me that this might just be dehydration. Regardless, I’m adamant about visiting a physician, since my parents think I'm only experiencing anxiety. I would appreciate any insights from doctors here regarding: - Could this indeed be indicative of acute kidney injury? - What is my likelihood of enduring permanent damage? Thanks for patiently reading through my lengthy post!