Indent in my face
March 12, 2021 11:45 PM Subscribe
So this is weird. I tapped my finger on the left side of my face and realized, "hey, the face skin isn't popping back up." I did the right side and that's fine. Normal snapback. But not the left. That's now got a dip in it unless I pull the skin back out. So is that...something? If so, what?
This could be many, many things, some potentially quite serious.
If there is any new* asymmetry when you look at your face in the mirror, try to smile, etc, please stop reading now and call 911 (in the US, or your local emergency number if elsewhere).
* Everyone's face is a little asymmetric, that's why looking at ourselves on camera is weird, because it's flipped from what we usually see. But this sounds like a new and noticeable asymmetry, and that is emergent.
posted by basalganglia at 2:48 AM on March 13, 2021 [10 favorites]
If there is any new* asymmetry when you look at your face in the mirror, try to smile, etc, please stop reading now and call 911 (in the US, or your local emergency number if elsewhere).
* Everyone's face is a little asymmetric, that's why looking at ourselves on camera is weird, because it's flipped from what we usually see. But this sounds like a new and noticeable asymmetry, and that is emergent.
posted by basalganglia at 2:48 AM on March 13, 2021 [10 favorites]
What is your age? As you get older, weird, but not necessarily bad, changes occur.
posted by Thorzdad at 9:03 AM on March 13, 2021
posted by Thorzdad at 9:03 AM on March 13, 2021
I think what you are describing is just that the skin isn't popping back when you press on it.
If there is some other asymmetry, especially related your neurological system (like a droop on one side of your mouth or one eye lid) then this could the sign of a stroke and you need to get immediate help. Like call an ambulance help.
However, I think what you are talking about skin turgor - the degree of elasticity of your skin. A sudden change is often a sign of dehydration, especially in younger folks. As we get older, our skin is less elastic so it it's not as good a measure of dehydration in older people. It seems very odd that it would be different on the different sides of the head but maybe you can come with your own theory about that. I would suggest trying to hydrate yourself well and see if that fixes it.
posted by metahawk at 6:09 PM on March 13, 2021 [2 favorites]
If there is some other asymmetry, especially related your neurological system (like a droop on one side of your mouth or one eye lid) then this could the sign of a stroke and you need to get immediate help. Like call an ambulance help.
However, I think what you are talking about skin turgor - the degree of elasticity of your skin. A sudden change is often a sign of dehydration, especially in younger folks. As we get older, our skin is less elastic so it it's not as good a measure of dehydration in older people. It seems very odd that it would be different on the different sides of the head but maybe you can come with your own theory about that. I would suggest trying to hydrate yourself well and see if that fixes it.
posted by metahawk at 6:09 PM on March 13, 2021 [2 favorites]
Update if you can.
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 8:39 PM on March 13, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 8:39 PM on March 13, 2021 [6 favorites]
This seems potentially problematic. Do you have access to an advice nurse or urgent care? I can't say what this symptom is, but I'm a nurse who does some phone triage and if a patient shared with me only the limited information you've provided here, I would advise them to get medical advice today.
posted by latkes at 5:33 PM on March 14, 2021
posted by latkes at 5:33 PM on March 14, 2021
Response by poster: For the record I'm 49. And it looks the same a couple of days later. Not droopy just...indented if I push on it. it does it to a lesser degree on the other side but it mostly springs back. This just dents.
posted by rileyray3000 at 10:25 PM on March 15, 2021
posted by rileyray3000 at 10:25 PM on March 15, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by phoenixy at 12:57 AM on March 13, 2021 [2 favorites]