Does this look like melanoma?
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Does this look like melanoma?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Does this look like melanoma?

  • Post
    • February 17, 2015 at 3:49 pm
    kaitokid
    Participant

    Hey guys,

    24 year old here. No history of extreme sun exposure, but a few bad burns in childhood. I live in California and work out outdoors so some history of mild exposure over the last few years, a few times a week maybe 1 hour at a time.

    I recently noticed that a freckle on the top of my right hand had developed a black "crust" or scab. If I rub my finger on top of it it feels like a scab.

    It's black and irregular, which is why I'm suspecting Melanoma. Also didn't use to be there, and it's on top of said "freckle". It's roughly the same size as the freckle. Definitely smaller than a pencil's eraser.

    I'm freaking out. I have a doctor appointment in 7 days.

    Here are some photos:

    Melanoma

Viewing 14 reply threads
  • Replies
      • February 17, 2015 at 4:14 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      Hi,

      Don't panic…let the doctor check it out, but this could be any number of skin conditions like seborreic keratosis, dyspeptic nevus, etc.The only way to be certain is to have it removed and examined.  Hang in there and good luck!

      • February 17, 2015 at 4:14 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      Hi,

      Don't panic…let the doctor check it out, but this could be any number of skin conditions like seborreic keratosis, dyspeptic nevus, etc.The only way to be certain is to have it removed and examined.  Hang in there and good luck!

        • February 17, 2015 at 7:33 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        That should be displastic nevus not dyspeptic (grouchy nevus?)

        • February 17, 2015 at 7:33 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        That should be displastic nevus not dyspeptic (grouchy nevus?)

        • February 17, 2015 at 7:41 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        And I was thinking of a mole with indigestion!  cool

        • February 17, 2015 at 7:41 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        And I was thinking of a mole with indigestion!  cool

        • February 17, 2015 at 11:57 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        Ha!!!!! I really laughed out loud when I saw what I had written!   Get that nevus guy some Pepto!!!

        • February 17, 2015 at 11:57 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        Ha!!!!! I really laughed out loud when I saw what I had written!   Get that nevus guy some Pepto!!!

        • February 17, 2015 at 11:57 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        Ha!!!!! I really laughed out loud when I saw what I had written!   Get that nevus guy some Pepto!!!

        • February 17, 2015 at 7:41 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        And I was thinking of a mole with indigestion!  cool

        • February 17, 2015 at 7:33 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        That should be displastic nevus not dyspeptic (grouchy nevus?)

      • February 17, 2015 at 4:14 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      Hi,

      Don't panic…let the doctor check it out, but this could be any number of skin conditions like seborreic keratosis, dyspeptic nevus, etc.The only way to be certain is to have it removed and examined.  Hang in there and good luck!

      • February 17, 2015 at 4:16 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Definitely good to get it checked out, however your description could also be a Seborrheic Keratosis (SK).  They can look like melanoma but they tend to have a rougher surface.  Under a magnifying glass, they look quite distinct.  SKs do tend to happen as we get older and you're rather young, but it is definitely another possibility that is totally benign.  So don't panic yet!  BTW, photos are only so helpful because they cannot diagnose.  All we can really say is get it checked out by a doc, and you already have one scheduled!

      • February 17, 2015 at 4:16 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Definitely good to get it checked out, however your description could also be a Seborrheic Keratosis (SK).  They can look like melanoma but they tend to have a rougher surface.  Under a magnifying glass, they look quite distinct.  SKs do tend to happen as we get older and you're rather young, but it is definitely another possibility that is totally benign.  So don't panic yet!  BTW, photos are only so helpful because they cannot diagnose.  All we can really say is get it checked out by a doc, and you already have one scheduled!

      • February 17, 2015 at 4:16 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Definitely good to get it checked out, however your description could also be a Seborrheic Keratosis (SK).  They can look like melanoma but they tend to have a rougher surface.  Under a magnifying glass, they look quite distinct.  SKs do tend to happen as we get older and you're rather young, but it is definitely another possibility that is totally benign.  So don't panic yet!  BTW, photos are only so helpful because they cannot diagnose.  All we can really say is get it checked out by a doc, and you already have one scheduled!

      • February 17, 2015 at 9:44 pm
      kaitokid
      Participant

      Do you guys think it's a bad idea to wait 7 days? Should I go to the ER?

      • February 17, 2015 at 9:44 pm
      kaitokid
      Participant

      Do you guys think it's a bad idea to wait 7 days? Should I go to the ER?

        • February 17, 2015 at 9:48 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Waiting a week is not going to change anything.  I'd rather have a good derm remove something that some intern in the ER.  They would most likely send you to a derm anyway.  This is NOT an emergency.  This is something you are concerned about and should be checked by a doc, but by no means is this definitely positive for melanoma.  Relax a little.  Stop researching and assuming the worst, just go to your appointment in a week and talk to the doc then.  That's fine.

        • February 17, 2015 at 9:48 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Waiting a week is not going to change anything.  I'd rather have a good derm remove something that some intern in the ER.  They would most likely send you to a derm anyway.  This is NOT an emergency.  This is something you are concerned about and should be checked by a doc, but by no means is this definitely positive for melanoma.  Relax a little.  Stop researching and assuming the worst, just go to your appointment in a week and talk to the doc then.  That's fine.

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:16 pm
        kaitokid
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Janner.

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:16 pm
        kaitokid
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Janner.

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:16 pm
        kaitokid
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Janner.

        • February 17, 2015 at 9:48 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Waiting a week is not going to change anything.  I'd rather have a good derm remove something that some intern in the ER.  They would most likely send you to a derm anyway.  This is NOT an emergency.  This is something you are concerned about and should be checked by a doc, but by no means is this definitely positive for melanoma.  Relax a little.  Stop researching and assuming the worst, just go to your appointment in a week and talk to the doc then.  That's fine.

        • February 17, 2015 at 9:48 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        No, not at all.  7 days would make no difference and you don't need an ER doc.  

        • February 17, 2015 at 9:48 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        No, not at all.  7 days would make no difference and you don't need an ER doc.  

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:16 pm
        kaitokid
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Sabklyn.

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:16 pm
        kaitokid
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Sabklyn.

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:16 pm
        kaitokid
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Sabklyn.

        • February 17, 2015 at 9:48 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

        No, not at all.  7 days would make no difference and you don't need an ER doc.  

      • February 17, 2015 at 9:44 pm
      kaitokid
      Participant

      Do you guys think it's a bad idea to wait 7 days? Should I go to the ER?

      • February 17, 2015 at 10:20 pm
      kaitokid
      Participant

      I'll keep you guys posted. I'm nearly 100% sure this is Melanoma.

      • February 17, 2015 at 10:20 pm
      kaitokid
      Participant

      I'll keep you guys posted. I'm nearly 100% sure this is Melanoma.

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:29 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        I've been on this site for over 10 years, and I can't tell you the number of times someone was sure theirs was melanoma, and it wasn't.  Until you have a diagnosis and a biopsy, it isn't anything.

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:29 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        I've been on this site for over 10 years, and I can't tell you the number of times someone was sure theirs was melanoma, and it wasn't.  Until you have a diagnosis and a biopsy, it isn't anything.

        • February 17, 2015 at 10:29 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        I've been on this site for over 10 years, and I can't tell you the number of times someone was sure theirs was melanoma, and it wasn't.  Until you have a diagnosis and a biopsy, it isn't anything.

      • February 17, 2015 at 10:20 pm
      kaitokid
      Participant

      I'll keep you guys posted. I'm nearly 100% sure this is Melanoma.

      • February 18, 2015 at 12:52 am
      Squash
      Participant

      There is no way to tell really until a biopsy is done.

      All the doctors missed my melanoma and the surgeon who took it out didnt think it was melanoma but it was.

      I had something that looked like a pimple clear coloured with a white sort of cap. I never dreamed it could be melanoma.

       

       

      • February 18, 2015 at 12:52 am
      Squash
      Participant

      There is no way to tell really until a biopsy is done.

      All the doctors missed my melanoma and the surgeon who took it out didnt think it was melanoma but it was.

      I had something that looked like a pimple clear coloured with a white sort of cap. I never dreamed it could be melanoma.

       

       

      • February 18, 2015 at 12:52 am
      Squash
      Participant

      There is no way to tell really until a biopsy is done.

      All the doctors missed my melanoma and the surgeon who took it out didnt think it was melanoma but it was.

      I had something that looked like a pimple clear coloured with a white sort of cap. I never dreamed it could be melanoma.

       

       

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