[scarlett35]

Hi all,

My anxiety is through the roof at the moment. For about 2 years I’ve had this weird mole type skin thing on my scalp. I barely noticed it, occasionally I would catch it and it would bleed. It hasn’t really bothered me though.

Yesterday I scratched it (I have a habit of skin picking on my scalp) and notice it had dried blood on it. I decided to go and have a look at it. It looks pretty similar to how it always has, but because it was bleeding it caused me a bit of alarm.

Of course I went straight to google and google has told me that I probably have skin cancer on my scalp. I’ve booked a docs appointment for Thursday to get it checked out, but I can’t stop googling! I feel utterly miserable about it. I just can’t think of it being anything else. It’s just in such a weird place as completely covered by hair, and has been there for around 2 years and doesn’t seem to have grown or changed (at least not noticeably)

Can anyone provide any advice? I am freaking out and don’t know how to cope with the anxiety until the doctor sees it, let alone if I have to have it removed. My grandad had melanoma and it spread to his liver and killed him.

I have read if it is that, it’s likely to be a simple removal and that most skin cancers don’t spread or grow quickly, but after two years I’m a bit concerned.

Any advice or comfort would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Yzen]

I had a strange looking mole on my back a few years ago. I went to the doctor, she examined it, and removed it right in the office. She sent it away to get tested and it wasn't cancerous. I had another one I noticed a few months ago and she removed it. Some people have more irregular moles and my doctor suggests getting a skin exam annually. You did the right thing to get the doctor to exam it. There isn't anything else you need to do except go to the appointment and let them take care of it.

Many people get moles like that and it isn't cancer. I am one of them. And people catch it early with exams which is good. Your mole may be like mine and all will be well.

[scarlett35]

Thanks. I just took a picture and it looks like there’s a bit underneath it too. So am worried it’s spreading, but yes you’re right. It just looks dodgy to me. The photo I took looks quite bad but then I have been picking at it quite a bit

Did it hurt when you had to have it removed?

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by Yzen

I had a strange looking mole on my back a few years ago. I went to the doctor, she examined it, and removed it right in the office. She sent it away to get tested and it wasn't cancerous. I had another one I noticed a few months ago and she removed it. Some people have more irregular moles and my doctor suggests getting a skin exam annually. You did the right thing to get the doctor to exam it. There isn't anything else you need to do except go to the appointment and let them take care of it.


Many people get moles like that and it isn't cancer. I am one of them. And people catch it early with exams which is good. Your mole may be like mine and all will be well.

Thanks. I just took a picture and it looks like there’s a bit underneath it too. So am worried it’s spreading, but yes you’re right. It just looks dodgy to me. The photo I took looks quite bad but then I have been picking at it quite a bit

Did it hurt when you had to have it removed?

[scarlett35]

It actually looks like it’s drying out a bit as I’ve been applying some cream to it. Still the doctor will check it. I’ll be happy to have it removed

[Yzen]

It didn't hurt to have it removed. She did it so fast that I didn't even realize it was done. She put a bandaid on it and I kept it that way for a few days.

Picking at it might be making it look bad. The skin could be irritated.

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by Yzen

It didn't hurt to have it removed. She did it so fast that I didn't even realize it was done. She put a bandaid on it and I kept it that way for a few days.


Picking at it might be making it look bad. The skin could be irritated.

Thanks. Yeah it does look worse now I’ve picked at it. The skin around it looks a bit pinkish too.

Did you have to have a local anaesthetic?

[Yzen]

Originally Posted by scarlett35

Did you have to have a local anaesthetic?

Yes. She did apply the local and removed the mole. It was fast....probably about a minute. Since it was on my back, I didn't even know when it was done.

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by Yzen

Yes. She did apply the local and removed the mole. It was fast....probably about a minute. Since it was on my back, I didn't even know when it was done.

Thanks for the reply. I have my docs appointment on Thursday, my anxiety has lessened since I banned myself from google. It is possibly just a mole and seen as though it hasn't changed she may just tell me to keep an eye on it, but I'll just have it taken off if she thinks that is for the best

I'm glad to hear yours was nothing serious, but I've heard that most skin cancers don't spread (phew!)

[Yzen]

Let me know how your appointment goes on Thursday. I'm glad the anxiety lessened.

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by Yzen

Let me know how your appointment goes on Thursday. I'm glad the anxiety lessened.

Thanks! I will do. The soreness is going since I stopped picking

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by Yzen

Let me know how your appointment goes on Thursday. I'm glad the anxiety lessened.

Hello!

Visited the docs last night. She said it’s keratoses (so a wart) and doesn’t have any worrying features and will probably always be there.

She said if it ever changes to go back and get her to have another look, but doesn’t think it’s anything to worry about

Phew!
Thanks again for the help calming my nerves!

[Yzen]

Originally Posted by scarlett35

Hello!

Visited the docs last night. She said it’s keratoses (so a wart) and doesn’t have any worrying features and will probably always be there.

She said if it ever changes to go back and get her to have another look, but doesn’t think it’s anything to worry about

Phew!
Thanks again for the help calming my nerves!

That is great news! I'm glad it is nothing to be concerned about.