Abnormal Skin

Q.

Is it Leprosy? Why your skin is losing sensation and the medical steps to heal.

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Skin losing sensation and worried about leprosy? It is rare but curable, and the hallmark is a numb, light or reddish skin patch from nerve damage, though more common causes like diabetes-related neuropathy, vitamin B12 deficiency, shingles, or a pinched nerve are also possible; see the full explanation below. For healing and next steps, seek prompt medical evaluation for sensation testing and possible skin biopsy, because early multi-drug antibiotics can cure leprosy, stop spread, and prevent permanent nerve damage; sudden one-sided numbness needs emergency care, with more guidance below.

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Is it Squamous Cell Carcinoma? Why Your Skin Won’t Heal & Medically Approved Next Steps

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There are several factors to consider. A spot that does not heal after 3 to 4 weeks, is scaly or crusted, bleeds easily, grows quickly, or causes pain, numbness, or nearby swollen nodes could be squamous cell carcinoma, but only a biopsy can confirm it; see below to understand more. Medically approved next steps are to monitor briefly, take photos, and book prompt dermatology care if it persists, while using sun protection; early SCC is usually very treatable with minor procedures like excision or Mohs, and important details that could change your plan are outlined below.

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Sudden Red Spots? Why Your Skin Is Pinpoint Bleeding & Medical Next Steps

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Tiny red or purple dots that do not blanch are often petechiae, pinpoint bleeding under the skin that can result from minor strain or indicate infections, low platelets, medication effects, autoimmune or blood disorders, or vitamin deficiency. Seek urgent care if the spots come with fever, stiff neck, confusion, rapid spreading, or unusual bleeding, and arrange prompt evaluation if unexplained or you use blood thinners; there are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are provided below.

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That Tingling Fire? Why Your Skin is Flaring & Medically Proven Next Steps

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Skin tingling or burning can be an early herpes warning, often hours to two days before blisters, but it can also come from shingles, contact dermatitis, nerve irritation, or other infections. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Medically proven next steps include starting antivirals promptly if herpes is suspected, keeping the area clean and dry, using pain relief, reducing transmission, and seeing a clinician for a first episode or for severe, persistent, spreading, or high risk symptoms. Key triggers, lookalikes, and urgent warning signs are explained below.

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Ozempic Face: How Women 30-45 Can Restore Skin & Next Steps

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Ozempic face in women 30 to 45 is usually facial hollowing and looser skin from rapid fat loss on top of age related collagen decline, and it is typically cosmetic and partly reversible as weight stabilizes and muscle and skin quality are supported. Best next steps include slowing and stabilizing weight loss, prioritizing protein and strength training, upgrading skincare, staying hydrated, and considering licensed treatments like fillers, collagen stimulators, radiofrequency, or microneedling, plus talking with your prescriber about dosing and seeing a doctor to rule out nutritional or thyroid issues if red flags appear; there are several factors to consider, and key details that could change your plan are outlined below.

Q.

Age 65+: what causes a burning skin sensation with no rash?

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In adults 65 and older, a burning skin sensation without a rash is most often nerve related, commonly from diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia after shingles, small fiber neuropathy, vitamin B12/B6 or niacin deficiency, medication side effects, spinal nerve compression, or kidney and liver problems; less often fibromyalgia, erythromelalgia, or other neurological disorders are involved. There are several factors to consider. Evaluation usually involves targeted blood tests, nerve studies or skin biopsy, and sometimes imaging; seek urgent care for sudden severe pain, weakness, balance or speech changes, new bladder or bowel issues, fever, or unexplained weight loss. See below for key details on diagnosis, treatments, and the right next steps.

Q.

How do you get ringworm?

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Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection spread by direct contact with an infected person or animal, touching contaminated objects or surfaces (like towels, hairbrushes, gym mats, floors), and less commonly from soil; it can also spread to new areas on your own body through scratching. Your risk rises in warm, humid conditions, with heavy sweating, tight or non-breathable clothing, close-contact sports or crowded living, skin breaks, poor hygiene, or a weakened immune system. There are several factors to consider—including key prevention tips and when OTC treatment is enough versus when to see a doctor (especially for scalp or nail infections)—see below to understand more.

Q.

Over 65: when is “burning skin” with nothing visible serious?

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There are several factors to consider for adults over 65 with a burning skin sensation and no visible rash: while dry skin or minor irritation are common, it can also indicate neuropathy from diabetes or vitamin deficiency, early shingles, medication side effects, or cholestatic liver disease. It is serious if the burning is sudden and severe or one-sided, or comes with weakness, numbness, coordination issues, bowel or bladder changes, fever, chest pain, or rapid skin color changes; see a clinician if it lasts more than two weeks, worsens, spreads, or disrupts sleep, and find the complete evaluation, tests, and self-care steps below.

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What does ringworm look like?

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Ringworm typically appears as circular or ring-shaped red patches with raised, well-defined edges and a clearer center, often scaly, itchy, and expanding outward. The look varies by location—scalp (scaly hair loss with broken hairs), feet (peeling/cracking between toes), groin (itchy rings with central clearing), nails (thick, discolored, crumbly)—so there are several factors to consider. See the complete details below, including early vs. advanced signs, how it spreads, treatment options, and when to seek care, as these can affect your next steps.

Q.

How long do bed bug bits last?

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Most bed bug bites heal within 7–10 days, but in people with sensitive skin or stronger allergic reactions they can persist for 2 weeks or longer, and residual discoloration may last for weeks. There are several factors to consider—individual sensitivity, number/location of bites, scratching or secondary infection, and whether you use treatments—see the complete guidance below for how to speed healing, when to seek care, and ways to prevent future bites.

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How to get rid of ringworm?

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Most skin cases clear with OTC antifungal creams (like terbinafine or clotrimazole) used twice daily for 2–4 weeks—continue 1–2 weeks after the rash looks gone—and strict hygiene (keep areas dry, wash clothes/towels hot, don’t share personal items, disinfect surfaces). Scalp or nail infections, widespread or persistent rashes, or spreading symptoms usually need a doctor and oral medication, and pets/household contacts may need checks. There are several factors to consider—including when to seek care and how to prevent recurrence—so see the complete guidance below.

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How to treat bed bug bites

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Treat bites by washing with soap and water, using 1% hydrocortisone or oral antihistamines for itch, applying cold compresses or oatmeal baths, avoiding scratching, and covering broken skin; most heal without complications. Seek medical care for signs of infection, fever, severe allergic symptoms, or if bites worsen or don’t improve after 7–10 days, and prevent new bites by laundering on high heat, encasing the mattress, and considering professional extermination. There are several factors to consider—see below for medication options, prevention steps, and red flags that can change your next steps.

Q.

What do bed bug bites look like?

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Bed bug bites typically appear as small, red, very itchy bumps—often with a tiny central punctum and sometimes a red halo—showing up in clusters or straight lines (“breakfast, lunch, and dinner”) on exposed skin like the face, neck, arms, and legs. There are several factors to consider (reaction timing can be immediate or delayed, how to tell them from mosquito/flea bites, and when to seek medical care); see the complete details below to guide diagnosis, relief, and preventing further bites.