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Suggest Treatment For Hypochondriasis

Posted on Wed, 15 Feb 2017

Question: Hi,

I am a 26 year old male.. Firstly I have hypochondriasis and anxiety issues which is why I have been taking antidepressants for 5 years now..Yesterday a dog came howling/crying near me and it looked like his front leg was fractured.. But anyway it was near me for 5-6 seconds, in that time I don't exactly remember what happened.. For sure it did not bite me.. but whether it licked me , touched me or scratched me is something which I cant recall.. There are no evident scratch marks on my legs, barring for one which looks like a scab from a cut or pimple.. anyway I am not sure.. I am uploading the image of that wound.. In case the dog was rabid and it licked me(which I am not sure), can this wound(which looks dried to me) contract the virus? The matter happened exactly 16 hours ago.. if I give vaccination, will it cause any side effects in the event that the dog actually did not do anything to me?P.s: I might be allergic to nuts(self-diagnosed) which I am planning to test

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Healed lesion of folliculitis most probably.. not to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I can understand your concern for getting infection from the dog. But, I assure you that you will not get any infection even though the saliva of dog touched your skin,as there is no cut or scratch. The wound is healed lesion of folliculitis. It is not due to the bite or the scratch by the dog. There is no need to take vaccination. If you take vaccine, no problem..just waste. If you are sensitive to vaccine ...then only side effects might occur, otherwise not.

I hope this must satisfy you.

Wishing you good health.

Dr.Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (22 minutes later)

Thanks a lot doctor.. It really eases my mind.. For your perusal and just to be doubly sure, I have attached a zoomed in picture of the lesion in my leg.. Does your opinion change? Also I kind of logically concluded the dog cannot have licked me in the position where I have the lesion(near the ankle) because I don't remember him stooping at any time.. Thanks in advance!

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Healed lesion of folliculitis...not to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have seen zoomed picture of the lesion,my decision is not changed. It is healed lesion of folliculitis. Kindly avoid worries and tension. I am sure that you will not get infection from the dog.

I hope this would satisfy you.

Thanks.

Dr.Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (12 hours later)

Hi Doctor, Another question I had was regarding nut allergies.. I have not had any problems with almonds, cashews and nuts from my childhood, but recently there was an episode where I consumed cashews and raisins in the evening, and I had itchy bumps on my skin 7-8 hours later.. They were really itchy.. Now since I stay in a hostel, that day my room,including my bed and blankets, were dirty(full of dust) as I had come back from vacation.. So it could be due to dust.. I don't know.. the point is I have tried nuts after a week and have felt itching immediately after, although no bumps this time.. This could very well be due to anxiety which I have.. So my question is can people get allergic to nuts all of a sudden as I did not have any problems with them from childhood? And if yes, then how to know for sure? What tests are available? Thanks a lot in advance!

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Serological test and pin prick test for finding out allergen...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Allergic dermatitis or allergic urticaria caused by nuts is common problem. You may be having atopic diathesis,which is genetically inherited..in which person has tendency to develop allergy to some constants, inhalants or food articles. You said that you take nuts from childhood,but allergy developed now. Remember..allergy always occurs after long term eating or contacts of allergen. So, your body produced antibodies gradually against nuts after few years and so allergy developed.

Allergy may be prevented by avoiding the contact or eating of allergen. There are two types of tests..one is serogical test and other is pin prick test. For that you consult allergist. Trial and error is best method to find out the culprit allergen.

I hope this would satisfy you.

Thanks.

Dr.Ilyas Patel MD

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad