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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