Talk me off the ledge please - little red dots on cuticle and I googled and am worried now
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I have little red dots on my cuticle and at first didn't pay much attention. After a couple of weeks I realized they are still there. I googled tonight (I like to see if there are home remedies for things) and I'm reading that this can be a sign of an autoimmune disease, like scleroderma or lupus or other scary things. I haven't felt well for for months now (fatigue, pain, etc) so tonight after googling what I thought would be no big deal is scaring the crap out of me (I'm tired and not sleeping well which makes things worse).
Please - anyone have something nice to say? I will call for an appt with a rheumatologist but I am scaring myself... |
Anonymous
| Lots of things can cause this - it's going to be OK. Anything from carbon monoxide over-exposure (which would also cause fatigue) to autoimmune stuff, to NOTHING you even need to worry about. Do you have a primary care doc? (I don't..) But, if you're really freaked, go to a NowCare, don't lose your mind tonight. |
Anonymous
| If you're concerned, let your GP do some basic bloodwork to see if there are any indicators for those conditions. Since you've been having so many symptoms, it's a good idea to get checked out anyway. |
Anonymous
| Thanks PP. I am not usually so fragile. I think the 4 months of feeling crappy (back pain that will not go away and never getting refreshing sleep) is getting to me and then I googled tonight to see what I could do thinking it was a blood blister and it turns out this can be a red flag for autoimmune disorders. I will call my doctor and try to see her tomorrow. She is a Nurse Practitioner but is great. If she wants to refer me to a specialist we will go from there. |
Anonymous
| When you get blood work, ask them to test for gluten antibodies. Celiac can be an underlying condition to other autoimmune disorders and you would want to know one way or another. |
Anonymous
| Do they blanch? If no, get your ass to a doctor soon. |
Anonymous
NP here- why do you say they should blanch? If not, what could that be an indication of? |
Anonymous
| Read this as cubicle and thought it was some sort of office space conspiracy theory. Very disappointed. |
Anonymous
LOL--measles spread through cubicles! Red spots blanch if they turn white (or, more properly, lose their color) when pressed with your finger. Nonblanching red spots need immediate investigation. |
Anonymous
Why will Ops head explode if she doesn't run screaming to the ER RIGHT NOW? Way to help pp. |
Anonymous
| Sorry for the choice of the word "immediate." Did not mean ER now--rather prompt visit to doctor IF they are nonblanching. If blanching she can see a doctor but in a more relaxed time frame. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Thanks for the responses. I ended up just going to bed after the kids were asleep. Maybe hormones too... ? |
Anonymous
Nonblanching means there's bleeding under the skin. It could be caused by something as simple as a minor allergic reaction or it could indicate a medical emergency, such as sepsis or a very low platelet count. Given the severity of some of the possibilities, prompt evaluation is necessary. |
Anonymous
| OP how are you today? |