Things That Look Scary but Aren't
Keratosis Pilaris
Is it psoriasis? Hives? Some creepy rash you got in the produce section of the supermarket? Relax already. Those rough patches on your skin, the tiny bumps, are just keratosis pilaris, a harmless condition usually found on the upper arms, once in a while on your cheeks, on your thighs or on -- you know -- your other cheeks. A heaping helping of moisturizer helps. And don’t scratch. You’ll be fine.
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Chalazion
When something’s up with your eyes, it can be pretty scary. You only have two of them. But a chalazion, a bump on the inside of your eyelid that can get pretty big, looks worse than it is. It’s caused by a blocked oil duct. They often go away by themselves. Don’t try to pop them. Instead, use warm compresses to help unblock that duct. See an eye doctor if it doesn’t get better on its own.
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Scrotal Tongue
It’s hard to get grosser than your tongue looking like a dry lake bed in Death Valley. But it’s usually just something called scrotal tongue, a harmless condition that affects between 2% and 5% of Americans. No treatment is needed, but it’s a good idea to brush your tongue to keep junk from settling.
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Green Poop
Nothing gets your attention like a shady stool. But if it’s a shade of green, take it easy. Green bowel movements are most often the result of eating a lot of green, leafy veggies (that’s good!) or a lot of green food coloring (not so much). A caution: It might also mean food’s moving through you too quickly (often the case with babies, and no big deal). If your business remains green, check with your doctor.
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Hemangioma
A benign (noncancerous) tumor made of blood vessels, hemangiomas are common in infants -- up to 10% have them -- so they’re often referred to as birthmarks. They usually can be found on the surface of the skin or just below it, often on the face and neck. They can be just about any size, shape, and color. Most need no treatment, and many will disappear before puberty.
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Canker Sore
Not a cold sore or fever blister, canker sores are those whitish, shallow sores that pop up on the inside of your lip or on your gums. Unlike cold sores on your lips, canker sores aren’t contagious. But they can be painful. Most disappear in a week or two without any treatment. If you have one that won’t go away, you keep getting them, or you have a fever with sores, a visit to the doctor might be in order.
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Sebaceous Cysts
So you have this little round bump just under your skin. Maybe it’s on your face, neck, or somewhere on your trunk. It might be a little red. It might even be a bit tender, although often it’s not. It may be a sebaceous cyst, known otherwise as an epidermoid cyst, a swelling of a blocked gland or hair follicle. They’re usually harmless, but if yours breaks open, see a doctor.
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Keloids
In some people, scar tissue that forms after an injury gets bigger and bigger and forms red and raised mounds called keloids. About 10% of people get them. One can start from a minor injury to the skin; an ear piercing, tattoo, or even an insect bite. They can be itchy and painful. Corticosteroid shots to flatten the scar are the first avenue of treatment.
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Sources Medically Reviewed on 05/31/2016 Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on May 31, 2016
IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
1) IHUAN / Thinkstock
2) Dr. P. Marazzi / Science Source
3) BIOPHOTO ASSOCIATES / Getty Images
4) yasming / Getty Images
5) 4kodiak / Getty Images
6) Dr. P. Marazzi / Science Source
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9) knape / Getty Images
SOURCES:
American Academy of Dermatology: “Pityriasis Rosea: Overview.”
American Academy of Family Physicians: “Canker Sores: Overview,” “Keloids: Overview.”
American Academy of Oral Medicine: “Fissured Tongue.”
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: “Hemangioma.”
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus: “Chalazion.”
American Optometric Association: “Chalazion.”
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: “Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars,” “Keratosis Pilaris.”
Cincinnati Children’s: “Hemangiomas.”
Cleveland Clinic: “Sebaceous Cysts.”
Gastrointestinal Society: “The Scoop on Poop.”
Mayo Clinic: “Canker sore,” “Epidermoid cysts (sebaceous cysts),” “Hemangioma,” “Keratosis pilaris,” “Pityriasis rosea,” “Stool color: When to worry,” “Tuesday Q&A: Self-care steps may help prevent tonsil stones from returning.”
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on May 31, 2016
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
