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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Red Mark/Lump on 18 mo. old's face
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.
Red Mark/Lump on 18 mo. old's face
by kelly, Sep 29, 1999 12:00AM
My 18mo old son has had a reddish mark (less than dime size, irregular border) on his right jawline since about 3mos old. I forgot to ask the ped about it at his 3mo visit. It was still there at 6mos, so I described mark to him & showed. Sometimes it's smaller & light reddish, other times much darker and sometimes, it actually lumps up in the middle, turns almost white in the center with a red outline. Ped told me baby has sensitive skin and was being irritated by clothes rubbing or something. At 15mos we saw the RN and I asked her. She said it was probably a birthmark and should be gone by about 1yr, so keep an eye on it. Yesterday, at 18mo visit, I asked ped again. This time he said it was "mastitis" - that it had the same name as something else, but had nothing to do with the breast. Said it was a pack of normal cells that sometimes become irritated and there is no treatment and nothing to worry about.
Baby also had what looked like a blood blister on side of his nostril earlier this summer that turned into a clump of little white blister-looking bumps (but not liquid filled). AT that time, ped said, it's a blister. Yesterday, ped said, it's a blister. Said, "I could send you to a dermatologist, but he'd probably tell you it was 'blister-itis'."
I feel like this guy is blowing me off. I just want to know if there is something I should be concerned about and have checked out further. The red mark on his cheek shows no signs of going away, the blister thing is getting smaller.
Can you help? Thanks!
Baby also had what looked like a blood blister on side of his nostril earlier this summer that turned into a clump of little white blister-looking bumps (but not liquid filled). AT that time, ped said, it's a blister. Yesterday, ped said, it's a blister. Said, "I could send you to a dermatologist, but he'd probably tell you it was 'blister-itis'."
I feel like this guy is blowing me off. I just want to know if there is something I should be concerned about and have checked out further. The red mark on his cheek shows no signs of going away, the blister thing is getting smaller.
Can you help? Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Sep 29, 1999 12:00AM
, Sep 29, 1999 12:00AM
Kelly,
It sounds as though the chin lump may be a benign bump called a "mastocytoma." This is made up of mast cells, which release histamine when rubbed and can leave a temporary welt or blister. Mast cells are found throughout normal skin, but some kids get a clump of them. They are not malignant, but don't go away without surgical help, which may or may not ever be worthwhile.
My advice: nadger your pediatrician into referring you to a dermatologist, who should be able to tell at a glance whather my hunch is correct, or whether it's some other benign lump. You'll also find out about the blisters, which don't sound too important.
Best.
Dr. R
P.S. "Mastocytoma" neither means the same nor sounds the same as "mastitis."
It sounds as though the chin lump may be a benign bump called a "mastocytoma." This is made up of mast cells, which release histamine when rubbed and can leave a temporary welt or blister. Mast cells are found throughout normal skin, but some kids get a clump of them. They are not malignant, but don't go away without surgical help, which may or may not ever be worthwhile.
My advice: nadger your pediatrician into referring you to a dermatologist, who should be able to tell at a glance whather my hunch is correct, or whether it's some other benign lump. You'll also find out about the blisters, which don't sound too important.
Best.
Dr. R
P.S. "Mastocytoma" neither means the same nor sounds the same as "mastitis."
