Strange reoccuring sores on forearm

[nmgaston]

Hi,

Five years ago I got a mysterious sore on my forearm.  It started as being red and raised, then the raised part went down and there was a scab left.  I did pick at it so it took a while to heal and then another smaller sore popped up then another.  No itching and no pain. Then they went away for at least 2 years.  Then I started getting the exact same thing again periodically.  Exact same pattern.  One sore after another for a total of 3 sores that then disappear for several months to a year.  It's always on the same forearm in the same area.  It happened last August again and then this February.  

I went to a dermatologist and she has me scared to death.  She did a skin biopsy on my forearm and said it is due to some internal reaction and when I asked her what she was looking for she said she didn't want to worry me.  She wouldn't tell me what she thinks it might be.  So that scares me more than anything.  So I have to wait 12 days for any results and have no idea how serious this could be.  I'm about to have a nervous breakdown worrying about it.  Can't eat, sleep, stress in muscles.  I need to know how serious this might be.  

Based on my symptoms what do you think she is looking for?

[nmgaston]

Thanks for the advise.  Fortunately I had a blood test done about 3 weeks ago and my liver enzymes were good.  I'll mention this to my doctor though and see if she feels I should be tested further.

[Kalio1]

Lichen Planus can be a symptom of underlying illness, and is a symptom of Hepatitis C. Here is a little about it:

http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/lichen_planus.html

I would strongly suggest you both get tested for hepatitis c and have a CBC done and also check your liver enzymes. Hep C is more common than you think. Lichen Planus is a symptom of Hepatitis C. I am not saying that is what is causing your case of it, but you definately want to rule it out by being tested for it. Doctors do not routinely test for it, they do not always check to see if you have Hep C when you get lichen planus or even mention that it can be related to Hep C so I wanted to let you know.

Alcohol can make the Hep C virus rapidly accelerate. Hep C is the NUMBER ONE reason for liver transplants in the US today. If you have a symptom of it, do yourself a favor and get tested even if you don't think it is possible for you to have been exposed to it, many have it and have no risk factors for it and they have no idea they have it or how they got it. That is why it is known as a "silent killer" disease.
Alcohol makes lichen planus worse, you might want to lay off the booze if you are drinking.

[clouse]

Wow, the symptoms are almost exactly what I have.  It's the first time it has happened and, of course, I picked at it and it bled, most like a blood blister.  It healed over and a scab was left and, of course I picked at it and, BAM, again same scenario.  Is this the same thing or could it be something else.  I have had the sore for about 2 weeks now.  It doesn

[nmgaston]

Just wanted to give you an update since you asked.  The biopsy came back as being Lichen Planus (probably spelled that wrong).  She thinks it's either that or some sort of wart in the skin there that is reoccuring.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

All sorts of things.  People think of a biopsy as a search for cancer, but really all it means is a test of tissue--in your case to look for what kind of inflammation is in the skin.

Please let me know what develops.

Dr. Rockoff

[nmgaston]

Thanks you for your response.

I was wondering if you could tell me what all they can detect from a skin biopsy besides skin cancer?

Thanks, Natalie

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

To be honest, I can't think of any.  I guess the biopsy will be helpful, but no serious or internal diseases come to mind.

Incidentally, my skin pathologist sends me results in 24-48 hours.  Since you're so anxious, you might want to ask your dermatologist whether it will really be 12 days before you know.

I think you'll be fine.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff