Concerns Over Red Bump Near Ankle for Two Weeks
Age: 25 Gender: Female Current Medications: None For the past two weeks, I’ve noticed a subtle red bump situated just above my ankle. It resembles a small rise on my leg at that particular area. Touching it causes discomfort, and occasionally I experience a faint throbbing sensation. The redness is mild, neither intense nor expanding beyond that localized area. There have been no significant variations in swelling between my legs, and my calves feel normal without any pain. Previously, I underwent tests for blood clots due to experiencing calf pain and tightness in my chest, but those examinations returned negative results. Given my mostly inactive lifestyle and the persistence of this bump, should I be concerned about the possibility of a blood clot, or might this simply indicate skin irritation or inflammation of a vein? Update: I have scheduled an appointment with my doctor tomorrow for an ultrasound or other tests to once again check for blood clots. However, I wanted to seek advice on Reddit beforehand to determine if this is a reasonable course of action or not… Thanks in advance!
Answers (1)
8/30/2025, 7:21:04 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's good that you've scheduled an appointment with your doctor, as that is the best way to get a definitive answer. However, I understand that you want some clarity about what might be happening with the red bump near your ankle.
Key Points:
-
Possible causes of the bump: The bump you described could arise from various conditions, including skin irritation, inflammation, or even a cyst. While we cannot rule out vascular issues entirely, your previous negative tests for blood clots are reassuring.
-
Symptoms to monitor: Since the bump is localized, mild in intensity, and has no significant swelling in your legs, it's less likely to be a blood clot. However, paying attention to new symptoms is essential.
Explanation:
The red bump described could be due to several benign reasons:
- Skin Irritation: This might occur from friction, bug bites, or minor infections.
- Cyst or Lipoma: These are generally harmless and can develop under the skin.
- Venous Inflammation: While this can occur, your history of calf pain is crucial to consider, especially since you had it evaluated before.
Since the bump is uncomfortable and you feel a throbbing sensation, it's wise to pay attention to these symptoms.
Next Steps:
- Keep the area clean: Gently wash the bump with soap and water, and consider using a mild antiseptic, like hydrogen peroxide, to prevent infection.
- Avoid aggravating it: Minimize touching or scratching the bump to reduce irritation.
- Monitor symptoms: Over the next day, watch for worsening pain, increasing redness, swelling, or signs of infection like pus or fever.
- Consultation prepared: When you see your doctor, provide them with detailed information about the bump’s appearance, your symptoms, and your medical history, including the previous concerns about blood clots.
You're taking the right steps by consulting with your doctor, as they can perform necessary tests to provide clarity. If your situation changes or new symptoms arise, report those promptly during your visit. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns!
Related Questions
Understanding Post-infection Symptoms After Cryptosporidium Exposure
A healthy 35-year-old man, who works as a nurse on a mobile psychiatric team and is not taking any medication, experienced a startling health episode. On August 12, he suddenly developed intense watery diarrhea, which occurred more than 50 times over a span of 30 hours, yet he did not exhibit a fever or any other accompanying symptoms. The following day, he sought treatment in the emergency room, where he was given intravenous fluids. Results from both a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) were largely unremarkable, except for a low sodium level of 132. Tests for Clostridium difficile and PCR stool analysis returned negative results. By August 20, the diarrhea persisted, occurring 7 to 10 times daily. His primary care physician (PCP) then prescribed a PCR stool test, which revealed the presence of both cryptosporidium and norovirus. On August 22, the diarrhea resolved and his appetite returned, leading him to feel completely normal. However, on August 27, he began experiencing sudden bouts of intense pain in the upper middle region of his abdomen, which radiated to his back between the shoulder blades. The sensation mimicked a cramp or spasm deep beneath the xiphoid process and also felt like a dull pain along the intercostal area in his back. He was unable to establish any links between the pain and his dietary intake or timing relative to meals; these episodes occurred either five hours post-lunch or even in the early hours of the morning. Over the past three days, he has encountered these discomforts sporadically—approximately twice daily—lasting about an hour before subsiding, sometimes after he passes gas or has a bowel movement. Is it possible that these symptoms are related to gas or spasms in the upper gastrointestinal tract? Should this situation prompt a consultation with his PCP, or might it simply be a continuation of the gastrointestinal issues associated with his recent cryptosporidium infection or post-infection Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Understanding My Frequent Illness: A 19-Year-Old's Struggles
It seems that I fall ill every few days, especially at the slightest transition in weather conditions. Experiencing colds, coughs, and fevers has become a regular occurrence for me. Every winter, I tend to catch such severe colds that I find it challenging to get out of bed; this pattern has persisted since I was around 11 or 12 years old. Last winter, I even contracted typhoid fever, and the previous year, my platelet levels dipped alarmingly low. To add to my struggles, I frequently feel devoid of energy. I don't smoke or drink, which makes me question the state of my immune system. Could it really be this weak? Additionally, I have a history of testicular torsion, which complicates things further.
Strange Indentation in My Scalp
I'm a 28-year-old female and I've discovered an unusual indent in my scalp, positioned slightly above my hairline, near my bangs. This indentation becomes particularly noticeable when I've placed my sunglasses on my head. Even after waking up today, I can still see the marks left by wearing them yesterday. I'm curious to know if this is something common or if others have experienced it too. Would it be a good idea to consult a medical professional? The groove in my scalp is quite evident when I run my fingers through my hair.
Chronic Dark Brown Nasal Discharge: Should I Be Worried?
I began experiencing a sinus infection around August 9, 2025, and after a week, I was prescribed amoxicillin, which I completed in its entirety. However, for the last five days, I've been noticing dark brown mucus coming from my nose every morning. It tends to appear in clumps or strands. Is this alarming? I do not smoke, nor do I typically come into contact with smokers.
Meniscus Surgery: Should I Choose Repair or Partial Removal? Looking for Guidance
Hello everyone! I’m reaching out for some guidance or perhaps to hear similar experiences that might help me navigate my situation. I'm feeling quite overwhelmed, so any insights would be appreciated. **Background:** - I’m a 24-year-old female who had a fall over a year ago, landing hard on my knee. Though it swelled for a few days, I managed to walk after about a week. Shortly thereafter, I started experiencing intermittent pain. Since I'm already undergoing physical therapy for another issue, my therapist suggested we address the knee pain as well. Unfortunately, every attempt we made seemed to exacerbate the discomfort. Recently, I underwent an MRI, and the findings were as follows: - **Medial Meniscus Concerns:** The scan revealed a tear on the inner section of my knee, specifically on the underside of the meniscus root; fortunately, the root itself remains intact. Additionally, there’s a smaller tear further along the body of the meniscus, which is less severe. - **Overall Condition of the Knee:** There’s a minor accumulation of fluid in the knee, but everything else—such as ligaments and cartilage—appears to be in good shape for someone my age, with no other serious issues noted. **Recommendations Given:** - During my visit with a physician assistant (PA) who reviewed the MRI together with the surgeon, the consensus was to consider removal of the damaged meniscus portion. **Partial Removal Versus Repair:** - Being young, I understand that cartilage doesn’t regenerate itself, so I inquired about the possibility of a repair instead. I expressed my concerns about the long-term implications, such as the risk of developing arthritis or osteoporosis later in life. - The PA mentioned that if necessary, the surgeon could classify the surgery as a repair, but they expected it would likely just involve cleaning out the area. Their rationale was that due to the size of the tear, a repair might not be warranted. They cited a prior case of a patient with a much larger tear who required surgical intervention on that basis. **Seeking Advice:** - Is it unusual to consider surgical repair for a smaller tear? I felt a bit brushed aside during the consultation, and in the moment, overwhelmed, I merely nodded in agreement without fully processing the information. I'm definitely planning to seek a second opinion, but I would love to hear any advice or thoughts on the matter. I could provide more details if necessary, but I’ve tried to keep this concise. Please let me know if you need any further information to offer guidance. **Summary:** I have two small meniscus tears suggested for surgery, but my doctor indicated that the procedure would likely be purely for cleaning purposes since the root is unharmed. I am concerned that removing cartilage may result in negative outcomes in the future. They mentioned that a repair could be performed if deemed necessary once they assess the situation during surgery, but it’s mostly anticipated to just be a clean-up. Now, I’m wondering if repairing a small tear is common practice and what steps I should take from here. Thank you! :)