Can You Trust Online Medical Websites?

[DiamondsGirl]

So my dad has recently found the magical world of "online doctors". He has started self-diagnosing every family member complaining about their bodies and that's including me. Unfortunately I have a very sensitive skin and every time I wounded myself, the wound would leave a black spot (pigmentation). My legs are full of it since I fell down in a daily basis (almost) when I was little. He started explaining in full confidence to my mom about my "illness"; what caused it, how can we get rid of it, what's it's medical term, etc. Courtesy of the almighty medical website. Probably WebMD. Who knows. Anyways he has this ointment that he claims would help but no matter how much I put it on twice a day the black spots are still there. They used to tell me not to put on too much because it's a "strong medicine" but now I started taking a whole bunch and smear it all over my leg. The spots are still there. And apparently I'm the one to blame because I don't put on the ointment regularly.

My parents are very controlling. I almost believe they'd rather die than believing/listening to me. As long as they believe it's my fault and not the ointment's, they'd still put me at fault. Every day they yelled at me to put on the ointment and honestly every time they say "ointment" I started to scream inside my head. I hate that stupid thing and I don't want to put it on no more! =\

I hate having them looking at my legs and comment about these stupid little black spots. I want these spots gone, too, but not like this. Not with that stupid useless ointment. So yeah what are the chances of me ever getting rid of these spots? Are online medical sites really reliable? Thanks in advance x

[MechaSniper]

dont trust online doctors. you dont know if they got a diploma

[ksdnfkfr]

Online self diagnosis is always a huge gigantic enormous mistake. It's nice to have something like WebMD to get a general idea about stuff you don't actually have. Like I'll read someone in history had a particular disease, and I'll look it up to get an idea of what the symptoms are. That's all the internet is good for when it comes to medical stuff. New people on my autism forum are always posting these huge lists of what they online diagnosed themselves with. It's silly.

[Typhlosion]

It's only good to have a direction to what doctor you should see in case of doubt.

[ImCoolBeans]

Online self diagnoses are dangerous because most of it is anxiety about possibly having what you are worrying over, and then convincing yourself that you definitely have it, when in most cases that isn't true. As much as you may want to trust your dad on this, take what he's saying with a grain of salt. He's not a doctor. However, if you and your family are concerned over the spots, I do recommend seeing an actual doctor.

[Tatii99]

I prefer asking a real doctor in the hospital, so I don't really trust online doctors.

[backjruton]

I don't in this case, definitely not in this case, no one should take it seriously enough to try and cure it just by what they've seen on the internet as it could always be something worse. It's better to look it up first, then if you can't find any proper information OR if it tells you what it is and you feel it's serious you should tell someone.. not that I do because most things with me are stupid and all I ever seem to worry about are these random marks that keep appearing in places overnight but the last one was a while ago that faded within 2 weeks.

[Karkat]

Online self diagnosis is always a huge gigantic enormous mistake. It's nice to have something like WebMD to get a general idea about stuff you don't actually have. Like I'll read someone in history had a particular disease, and I'll look it up to get an idea of what the symptoms are. That's all the internet is good for when it comes to medical stuff. New people on my autism forum are always posting these huge lists of what they online diagnosed themselves with. It's silly.

I wouldn't say ALWAYS, but if you take it too seriously, then definitely.

As far as what I've 'online diagnosed' myself with, it's all shown up true, or reasonable for the most part. HOWEVER, this is mostly due to the fact that I also talk to doctors (multiple. It's always good to have a second opinion- sometimes even the license to practice doesn't mean they can help you), and people who are around, or have said disorders/etc.

But going off an online diagnosis alone is just crazy. Especially when you self-medicate.

It's only good to have a direction to what doctor you should see in case of doubt.

Exactly.

Online self diagnoses are dangerous because most of it is anxiety about possibly having what you are worrying over, and then convincing yourself that you definitely have it, when in most cases that isn't true. As much as you may want to trust your dad on this, take what he's saying with a grain of salt. He's not a doctor. However, if you and your family are concerned over the spots, I do recommend seeing an actual doctor.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[DiamondsGirl]

thanks guys :)

[PinkFloyd]

I don't. It's like whenever I look something up, I have cancer.

Headache? Rare form of cancer

Foot pain? Testicular cancer. (yes I got that for real...)

[Leon03]

Never trust them! I think it's ok to get some information about deseases or symptoms from the internet but the diagnosis and treatment is doctor's business.

[plebble]

I don't always trust them. Recently I had a stomach ache caused by anxiety and stress, a medical website told me it was stomach cancer or something.

It's always best to see a doctor as it's face-to-face and it's easier to describe your symptoms out loud.