Scary Symptoms That Aren't As Serious As You Think

Unexpected symptoms can be pretty scary, leading your mind to assume the worst. Our imaginations have incredible power to scare us into believing something sinister is agoot when we detect anything unusual about our bodies, a thought pattern that often stems in part from our fear of the unknown (via Healthline).

You might panic if you notice a strange skin lesion, sense an increased heart rate, or experience occasional forgetfulness. The truth is that most scary symptoms are not as serious as you think. Sure, some symptoms may indicate a significant problem, but the majority are no cause for concern.

If you believe going directly to your doctor or relying on the advice of friends or questionable internet sources is the best option, having the truth on your side for once can be incredibly comforting. The following common symptoms may appear alarming but aren't as scary as they seem; here's what to do if you notice them and when to seek medical attention.

The largest and most apparent organ in your body is your skin. You may readily detect changes that cause alarm simply because they are so evident. Some people get scared when they develop skin tags because they're afraid of developing cancer; if you see something out of the ordinary happening with your skin, that can be the first place the mind goes.

Not all changes or growths on the skin are cancerous. A skin tag is a common type of skin lesion. The Mayo Clinic describes skin tags as flesh-colored tissue linked to a tiny stalk or piece of skin that frequently forms in the body's creases where friction is common. Skin tags can be annoying and even concerning if you don't know what they mean, but in reality, there is no need to worry. These skin growths are pretty harmless. If your skin tag is in a location that rubs, causes pain, or bleeding, do not try to remove it at home as it could lead to an infection. See a dermatologist to have it removed safely.

You've used your ATM card a thousand times, but when it came time to enter your PIN, your mind went blank; sound familiar? We've all been in situations where we've forgotten why we're in a particular location or where we placed our glasses or house keys. According to the National Institute on Aging, memory loss or forgetfulness becomes more common as individuals become older. It can be a scary experience that makes you fear the worse, such as the possibility of early dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

According to WebMD, one in nine adults in America over 45 years old report memory lapses. However, because forgetfulness happens to almost everyone at some point in their lives, it is rarely a cause for alarm. These periods of forgetfulness can be frustrating and unpleasant, but you can rest easy until you or your loved ones notice that these episodes are becoming more consistent. Several things can help improve your memory, such as maintaining a social lifestyle and participating in stimulating activities that challenge your mind, such as puzzles, games, or reading (via OSF Healthcare).

If memory loss disrupts your life or you are concerned about worsening symptoms, it may be time to see your doctor.

Let's face, it accidents happen. Your body is resilient and capable of enduring a great deal. But because some areas of your body, such as your head, bleed more than other areas when cut, minor wounds can be scary due to the volume of blood they produce. Most superficial wounds can be treated at home (via HealthLink BC). Nevertheless, you should know what to do when you have a cut and how to recognize when you need medical attention.

If you injure yourself and the wound is bleeding, wash the wound, then apply direct pressure and, if possible, elevate the wound to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding slows down or stops with pressure but continues after you release, continue applying pressure for at least 15 minutes (via Healthline). You may soak through a few bandages, but if the blood is not pumping or gushing out quickly, you can continue to evaluate. Once the bleeding stops, apply a fresh bandage. However, if the bleeding is still soaking through the bandage and not slowing down with pressure after 15 minutes, or if the injury is located in an area such as the chest or abdomen, you should seek medical attention (via Cleveland Clinic).

Another nasty bruise has surfaced. You haven't bumped anything, but you've noticed more and more bruises recently. There's no reason to be scared. Although it is uncommon for bruises to indicate an underlying medical condition, it can be concerning if you continue to see bruises and have no idea how they developed.

Bruises are caused by physical trauma to the tissues, which can occur when we collide with something, fall, or unintentionally bump our limbs. A bruise develops when capillaries are damaged beneath the skin during the trauma (via U.S. News & World Report).

Certain drugs, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, and blood thinners, might cause quick or easy bruising. Some of these medications are used regularly to treat aches and pains, while others treat specific health problems. Before discontinuing any prescribed drugs, consult your physician (per American Family Physician). Unfortunately, as we age, our skin thins and becomes more brittle, making older adults more prone to bruising.

According to Medicine Net, if you notice a bruise growing in size, causing extreme discomfort, or appearing over a joint — or if, along with your bruising, you develop a fever or external bleeding from orifices such as your mouth or nose — you should see a doctor.

A lot of things can trigger joint cracking. Hearing a joint pop when getting out of a chair or with regular movements might be scary. This noise is frequently loud, but it is common and is not usually a sign of a bone problem. And though these sudden noises may become more frequent as we get older, you shouldn't be alarmed if there is no apparent swelling or pain (via Healthline).

Orthopedic surgeon Kim Stearns explains to the Cleveland Clinic that cartilage often wears down as we age, and as a result, the surfaces of our joints can generate more noise with movement. According to Robert Klapper, orthopedic surgeon at Cedar Sinai, the noise we hear when popping a joint can also be explained by nitrogen bubbles bursting in the synovial fluid. This can be done on purpose, by popping the knuckles for example, or happen unintentionally while simply moving around.

If cracking is followed by pain or inflammation, however, an underlying problem may have to be addressed. Consult your doctor for further information (via WebMD).

Have you ever touched your neck while you had a sore throat or a cold and felt a small bean-shaped lump that scared you into researching your symptoms? There's no need to push the panic button; you were probably feeling a swollen lymph node (via Cleveland Clinic). When a lymph node is swollen, it most often indicates your body is fighting an infection. This swelling is common, especially among children with viral infections (per the American Academy of Pediatrics). Very rarely, swollen lymph nodes are associated with cancer (via HealthONE Family Medicine).

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the human body contains hundreds of lymph nodes. The lymphatic system's primary role is to protect your body from infections and illness, but it also serves various other purposes. Often, a swollen lymph node is simply a sign that your body is protecting you as it is designed to. However, you should consult your doctor if you detect swollen lymph nodes accompanied by extreme fatigue that lingers longer than a few weeks.