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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
A red mark turning to brown overnight?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
A red mark turning to brown overnight?
by Pumpkinpye, Jun 16, 2004 12:00AM
On Monday night my wife noticed a red (slightly raised blotch) on the middle of my back - it was about 18mm wide and about 35mm in length. It hadn't been there before and seemed to appear that size immediately and not in an area where any previous marks were.
I was of course worried and immediately paranoid.
By the morning it was no longer raised and had gone brown.
It seems non blanchable and seems to be fading after two days.
Having been well educated on HIV symptoms (due to a family member being positive) I have surfed the web and the only information I can find to this type of mark is to due with Kaposi's Sarnoma. The pictures I have found look different to my mark and there are no other marks on my body.
Am I being paranoid? What else could it be?
I have no other symptoms of HIV apart from occasional fatique but am now convinced that this mark is HIV related.
My main question is this (and I will be seeing a doctor soon but need some advice to clam my nerves).
Would a cancer or indeed a KS growth appear that size overnight? and would it change in appearance the following morning?
Any help from this excellent forum would be greatly appreciated.
I was of course worried and immediately paranoid.
By the morning it was no longer raised and had gone brown.
It seems non blanchable and seems to be fading after two days.
Having been well educated on HIV symptoms (due to a family member being positive) I have surfed the web and the only information I can find to this type of mark is to due with Kaposi's Sarnoma. The pictures I have found look different to my mark and there are no other marks on my body.
Am I being paranoid? What else could it be?
I have no other symptoms of HIV apart from occasional fatique but am now convinced that this mark is HIV related.
My main question is this (and I will be seeing a doctor soon but need some advice to clam my nerves).
Would a cancer or indeed a KS growth appear that size overnight? and would it change in appearance the following morning?
Any help from this excellent forum would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 16, 2004 12:00AM
, Jun 16, 2004 12:00AM
A general rule of thumb is this: the faster something changes, the less serious it is. Kaposi's sarcoma doesn't appear overnight (and you and your wife could hardly have overlooked a red spot of that size very long.) Most likely, the spot is an insect bite or rubbed follicle. By all means, show a doctor. But why are you so worried about HIV? Is it just because of you family member, or have you engaged in risky behavior? If the latter, you and your wife should have HIV tests. If the former, consider counseling. Paranoia isn't good for you.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Once again many thanks