Question about blue/grey nodule

I am a 35 year old Caucasian female, and I was a sun worshiper for many years without sunscreen.  I have never been one to burn and have an olive complexion with brown hair and eyes.  I do have numerous (way too many to count) moles, including a blue/grey mole on my foot that I have had since I can remember.  I also have a Mongolian spot on my rear-end that is approximately 3cm since birth, and multiple large to giant cafe au lait spots, so I am used to a number of odd looking benign marks on my body, and I would normally assume this is more of the same.  I recently, however, like many others on this forum got curious about what I might be looking at and searched the internet, and it was then that I became concerned, and made an appointment with a Dermatologist, but can not be seen until the end of August.  I am posting this question because I thought that maybe this should at least get a precursory look by someone knowledgeable in Dermatology to ensure that I shouldn't be insisting on an earlier appointment.    

The nodule in question was, for years, a pinpoint (tiny, tiny) bluish spot on my upper arm (again I remember having this as far back as my memory takes me and used to joke with people that it was the closest thing to a tatoo that they would ever see on me), but approximately 6 months ago I noticed that it was expanding in diameter.  Approximately 4 months ago I noticed that it also began growing vertically, and this is when I began to wonder if this was suspect.  I call this a nodule because it has a very hard portion that feels and looks almost like a little bead or pearl in it (possibly 2.5-3mm in diameter), and the total diameter (including the non-raised and blue/grey pigmented area) is approximately 4mm.  The portion that is hard and raised holds less blue/grey pigmentation than the surrounding area.  It does seem to be continuing to grow.  Thanks for your help!

I have uploaded a photo of the nodule as my profile picture for your viewing.  

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Based on your description, this could be a blue nevus - benign pigmented lesion. However, main rule with pigmented lesions is to have malignant melanoma excluded first.
Therefore, I urge you to see a dermatologist immediately because of recent developments (change in dimensions, in shape, in color, and elevation), and overall existence of few risk factors (numerous moles; a lot of unprotected sun exposure over years; etc.).


Yours in Optimal Health,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic