Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Rashes after COVID vaccines are uncommon (well under 1%) and usually mild—most stem from normal immune activation, such as immediate histamine-driven hives or a delayed T‑cell reaction like “COVID arm”—and resolve in days to weeks with simple care. It’s serious if there are signs of anaphylaxis within minutes (trouble breathing, facial/lip swelling), rapid spread with fever, blisters/peeling or mouth/eye/genital sores, or if it lasts >2–3 weeks—seek urgent care in these cases. There are several factors to consider, including timing and appearance; see the complete guidance below for key details that can affect your next steps and whether home care or a clinician visit is best.

There are several factors to consider: sudden right‑side armpit pain is often from muscle strain, swollen lymph nodes, or skin issues, but can also arise from shingles or nerve irritation, or be referred from deeper conditions like gallbladder disease, liver/diaphragm irritation, atypical heart symptoms, or (rarely) a lung apex tumor. Seek urgent care for severe or unexplained pain, fever/redness or pus, a hard or rapidly enlarging lump, chest tightness/shortness of breath or sweating, jaundice, or new arm weakness/numbness. See below for key details that can guide your next steps, including what to watch for, home care, prevention, and when to call a doctor.

Yes—an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lower alkaline phosphatase by slowing bone turnover, and levels often normalize after thyroid hormone treatment. There are several other potential causes (nutritional deficiencies, malabsorption, rare genetic disorders), so persistent low results merit repeat testing and checks like TSH/free T4 and nutrient levels—see the important details and next‑step guidance below.

Yes—workouts can trigger pain under the right armpit in females, most often from muscle strain (pectoralis/serratus/latissimus), pectoralis minor syndrome, or improper form and overuse. There are several factors to consider: other causes include swollen lymph nodes, breast or skin conditions, intercostal or cervical nerve issues, and thoracic outlet problems, with red flags like a hard lump, fever, numbness, or sudden severe pain needing prompt care. See below for how to tell if it’s workout-related, prevention steps, and guidance on when to see a clinician.

Yes—swollen axillary lymph nodes can cause pain under the right armpit in women, often tender and worse with arm movement, and most commonly linked to infections, recent vaccinations, or minor injuries. Seek prompt care if a lump is hard, fixed, rapidly enlarging, >2 cm, or accompanied by fever, night sweats, weight loss, or breast changes; imaging like ultrasound and mammography may be used. There are several factors to consider; see below for other possible causes, home assessment tips, supportive care, and when in-person evaluation or biopsy may be needed.

For sudden testicle pain when torsion is a concern, treat it as an emergency—go to the ER now; while you head there or wait, elevate/support the scrotum, apply a cold pack 10–15 minutes at a time, rest on your back with knees bent, and consider ibuprofen as directed if safe (avoid warm baths until torsion is ruled out). Red flags include sudden severe one‑sided pain, rapid swelling/redness, a high‑riding testicle, and nausea/vomiting—torsion needs treatment within about 6 hours to prevent permanent damage. There are several factors to consider; see below for step‑by‑step pain relief, what not to do, and the exact urgent steps and evaluation to expect.

Left arm pain can be a heart attack warning—especially if it comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea/lightheadedness, or pain spreading to the jaw, back, or right arm; in those cases, call emergency services immediately. On its own, left arm pain is often from muscle, joint, or nerve issues, but there are several factors to consider; see below for how to tell heart-related symptoms from more common causes and the exact next steps. If the pain is sudden or severe, or you have heart risk factors, seek prompt medical care even without chest pain.

Lower left abdominal pain in women can stem from the GI tract (diverticulitis, IBS/IBD, constipation, colitis or obstruction), gynecologic causes (ovarian cysts or torsion, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, PID, ovulation pain), urinary issues (UTI, kidney stones, pyelonephritis), or musculoskeletal/hernia and vascular problems. There are several factors to consider—and some are emergencies, especially sudden severe pain, fever, vomiting, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or symptoms in early pregnancy—so see the complete details below to recognize red flags and choose the right next steps.

In women, pain under the right armpit can stem from muscle strain; swollen lymph nodes or skin infections (including abscesses or shingles); breast issues like mastitis or, less commonly, cancer; nerve problems; referred pain from the gallbladder or liver; or even a vein clot. There are several factors to consider—see below for specifics, urgent warning signs (severe chest pain or breathing trouble, fever with redness, arm swelling/discoloration, rapidly growing lumps with night sweats/weight loss), and next steps including self-care for mild strain versus seeing a clinician if symptoms persist beyond 1–2 weeks or worsen.

There are several factors to consider. Even when not pregnant, post‑workout nipple pain is usually from friction/chafing, sweat/salt irritation, contact dermatitis, yeast/bacterial overgrowth, chest‑muscle strain, or normal hormone sensitivity—and it often improves with a well‑fitting moisture‑wicking sports bra, protective balm, and prompt drying. See below for step‑by‑step prevention and the red flags (new lump, discharge, spreading redness/fever, or skin changes) that determine when to seek medical care.

Skin irritation is a leading cause—often from contact dermatitis (soaps/detergents, fabrics), eczema/psoriasis, chafing, or allergies—but hormones, infections (bacterial/yeast/herpes), injury, and rare conditions like Paget’s disease or inflammatory breast cancer can also contribute. Try gentle, fragrance-free products, a supportive bra, cool compresses, and short-term hydrocortisone for dermatitis, and seek care urgently for persistent/worsening pain, discharge (especially bloody), new lumps, spreading redness/fever, or nipple/skin changes. There are several factors to consider; key details and next steps that could affect your care are outlined below.

There are several factors to consider: sudden right‑side armpit pain is often from muscle strain, swollen lymph nodes, or skin issues, but can also arise from shingles or nerve irritation, or be referred from deeper conditions like gallbladder disease, liver/diaphragm irritation, atypical heart symptoms, or (rarely) a lung apex tumor. Seek urgent care for severe or unexplained pain, fever/redness or pus, a hard or rapidly enlarging lump, chest tightness/shortness of breath or sweating, jaundice, or new arm weakness/numbness. See below for key details that can guide your next steps, including what to watch for, home care, prevention, and when to call a doctor.

Yes—lower left abdominal pain can sometimes involve the ovary (torsion, cysts, endometriosis, infection), but it’s often due to non-ovarian problems like diverticulitis, IBS/constipation, UTIs or kidney stones, hernias, or ectopic pregnancy. There are several factors and urgent red flags to consider (e.g., sudden severe pain, fever, persistent vomiting, fainting); see the complete details below for the full list of causes, tests, and the right next steps, including when to seek emergency care.

Bloodshot eyes themselves aren’t hereditary—they’re usually a symptom of irritation, infection, or dryness—but you can inherit conditions (like allergies, dry eye, autoimmune disease, or rosacea) that make red eyes more likely. There are several factors to consider; see the complete answer below for common non-hereditary triggers, simple relief steps, and the red‑flag symptoms that mean you should see a doctor.

People with alopecia areata are more likely to develop other autoimmune conditions: about 10–25% (up to 28% in some studies) will develop another autoimmune disease versus roughly 3–5% in the general population, most commonly autoimmune thyroid disease and vitiligo. There are several factors to consider—genetics, immune dysregulation, and shared triggers—so see below for key warning symptoms, recommended screening (e.g., thyroid tests), and next steps to discuss with your doctor.

There are specific considerations: overall cancer risk with alopecia areata isn’t higher than average, but studies show a small increase in thyroid cancer (especially in women) and a modest, less consistent uptick in non-Hodgkin lymphoma; absolute risks remain low. No clear links have been found with breast, lung, colon, prostate, or skin cancers. You usually don’t need extra screening beyond standard guidelines, but know the warning signs and discuss personal/family history with your doctor—see the important details below to guide next steps.

Yes, alopecia areata can affect beards differently than scalp hair: beard follicles are more androgen sensitive and have a shorter growth phase, so facial patches may appear and regrow unpredictably, look different on exam (e.g., broken hairs close to the skin), and carry unique psychosocial impacts. Evaluation and treatment can also differ (e.g., steroid injections are often preferred on the face and topical immunotherapy is used less), and there are important diagnostic clues and prognosis considerations—see the complete details below to understand options and the right next steps.

Yes—alopecia areata can affect nails even when hair loss is mild; up to 30–50% of people develop nail changes like pitting, Beau’s lines, trachyonychia, onycholysis, or discoloration due to autoimmune attack on the nail matrix. There are several factors to consider, including look‑alike conditions (psoriasis, fungus, nutritional deficiencies) and when to seek care—see below for specific signs, diagnostic tips, and treatment options that could shape your next steps.

Yes—individual alopecia areata patches can expand and connect into larger areas; while most people have only a few small patches that regrow, about 10–20% see coalescence and ~5% progress to extensive scalp or body hair loss. Merging is more likely with early-age onset, multiple tiny patches, nail changes, family/autoimmune history, or recent stress/illness; early dermatology care, active treatment (e.g., corticosteroids, topical immunotherapy, minoxidil, and in select cases JAK inhibitors), and regular monitoring may increase regrowth and help limit spread. There are several important factors, timelines, patterns, and red flags to consider—see below for details and guidance on next steps and when to seek urgent care.

Yes—while alopecia areata is autoimmune, emotional trauma and major life stressors can trigger episodes and, in at-risk people, contribute to a chronic or recurrent course by disrupting neuroendocrine and immune balance. There are several factors to consider (genetics, age of onset, severity, other autoimmune disease), and combining medical treatment with stress-management often helps; see below for mechanisms, risk factors, and practical next steps.

Yes—scalp injuries and chronic irritation (tight hairstyles/pressure, harsh chemicals or heat, burns, radiation, infections, or inflammatory skin conditions) can increase hair-loss risk, which may be reversible if addressed early or permanent if scarring destroys follicles. There are several factors and prevention steps to consider—including who’s at higher risk and when to seek care—see details below to guide your next steps.

Yes—after alopecia areata, regrown hair often starts finer, lighter, and sometimes curlier/straighter or drier, and the scalp can feel itchy, tender, dry, or more reactive; these changes usually improve over months but can occasionally persist. There are several factors and important next steps to consider (gentle care, nutrition, treatments like topical steroids or minoxidil, and red flags for seeing a doctor)—see the complete details below.

Current evidence shows alopecia areata itself does not increase overall cancer risk, and most topical treatments are not linked to cancer. There are several factors to consider—some systemic immunosuppressants (e.g., methotrexate, cyclosporine, JAK inhibitors) may carry a small increased risk in certain settings and need monitoring, and coexisting autoimmune conditions (especially thyroid disease) can affect screening needs. For guidance on safe treatment options, routine screenings, and when to seek care, see the complete details below.

Current evidence does not show that Rick Simpson Oil cures or reliably treats cancer in humans; while cannabinoids in RSO have anti-cancer activity in lab and animal studies, there are no robust clinical trials and most reported benefits are symptom relief. There are several important risks and caveats—including variable dosing and purity, psychoactive effects, liver strain, and serious drug interactions—so it should never replace proven treatments; discuss any use with your oncologist. See the complete details below to understand potential benefits, risks, quality-control steps, and how these factors could affect your next steps.

Current evidence shows that neither the severity nor the duration of alopecia areata increases cancer risk, even in extensive or long‑standing cases. The bigger consideration is treatment: systemic steroids, immunosuppressants (like methotrexate or cyclosporine), and newer JAK inhibitors can carry small or still‑uncertain cancer risks with long‑term use. There are several factors to consider—see below for details on which medicines matter, what monitoring and screenings are recommended, and how to discuss benefits versus risks with your clinician.

At-home relief for bloodshot eyes: use lubricating (preservative‑free) artificial tears, apply a cold compress, take 20‑20‑20 screen breaks, remove contacts temporarily, hydrate, sleep enough, and avoid smoke/allergens. There are several factors and important red flags to consider—seek urgent care for pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, thick discharge, injury, or redness beyond 1–2 weeks; see the complete guidance below for details, prevention tips, and the right next steps.

You can smooth rough, bumpy skin at home with gentle chemical exfoliation (5–12% lactic acid or 1–2% salicylic acid), rich daily moisturizers that break down plugs and repair the barrier (urea 10–20%, ceramides, hyaluronic/glycerin), short lukewarm showers, and lifestyle steps like a humidifier, SPF, and soft fabrics; OTC options such as ammonium lactate 12% or urea creams often help—patch test and avoid layering multiple acids. There are several factors to consider, and when to escalate matters: if there’s no improvement after 6–8 weeks or you notice redness, pain, pus, spreading rash, severe itch, or persistent dark marks, talk to a clinician—see complete step-by-step guidance, product examples, and safety tips below.

You can get care without insurance through community health centers and free/sliding‑scale clinics, low‑cost retail or urgent care clinics, and telehealth, reserving the ER for true emergencies. You can also ask for self‑pay discounts, set up payment plans, and check hospital charity care, Medicaid/CHIP, teaching hospitals, and prescription‑assistance programs. There are several factors to consider—see the complete details below to choose the safest, most affordable next step.

There are several factors to consider: active disease shows exclamation-point hairs, black/yellow dots, broken hairs, and enlarging or new patches, while stability is suggested by fine vellus then darker terminal regrowth, no new/expanding areas, and fewer abnormal dots/hairs. For how to track this (photos, measurements, symptom diary, trichoscopy), key prognostic clues (age, nail changes, extent), when to see a doctor, and how treatment choices differ by phase, see the complete details below.

Normal shedding vs. alopecia recurrence: shedding is typically 50–100 hairs/day lost evenly as full strands (often after a stressor and improving within months), while recurrence shows new patchy bald spots, short tapered “exclamation-mark” or broken hairs, possible nail pitting/itching, and more hairs pulled from one area. There are several factors to consider—pattern, hair-shaft look, pull test results, timeline, and red flags for seeing a dermatologist—see below for the complete guidance and next steps that could affect your care.