Mosquito bite that never went away

About 5 years ago I went to the dermatologist with a spot on my arm to have him chek it out and some other moles I was starting to get in my early 30's.  The spot in question, that is on my arm would never go away, but it does not look like a mole.  The Dr. told me it was a mosquito bite that turned hard and if it bother me he could remove it, but it was fine to just leave it alone.  Needless to say I still have the bump.  Does the doctors diagnosis sound plausible to you?  It has not changed size of color, but I am worried that it could be skin cancer.  What do you think?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

How would you describe the bump? Is it red, white, brown, black or skin colored?

Is it raised, shiny, scaly?

Is it itchy or painful?

At this point, this no longer sounds like an insect bite since it has been around for quite some time. If it is skin colored it may be a mole. Not all moles are dark in color. Other differentials will be a skin tag, a wart and molluscum. At this point, this does not sound serious. It has never changed in appearance and character. I suggest that you take a picture of it and continue to observe it.

[cutie314]

Thanks for your reply Vanessa,

I would describe the bump as raised and red.  It is not itchy or painful but hard.  It does not look like a mole to me.  I don’t know what a molluscum is, but will look it up and see if that fits.  

Thanks again for your advice,

Traci

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Where on your arm is the bump located? Is it on top of your wrist?

If this is hard, then one should consider a ganglion cyst which may be hard and may enlarge. A keloid may also be considered if you are a keloid former. Lipoma is also a differential. However, lipoma is usually soft or doughy in character and when you try to palpate the edges, the mass may slip underneath the fingers. You have mentioned that you have several moles on your body. Some moles do not necessarily appear dark .Some types may actually be pinkish or skin colored.