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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Very worried!
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Very worried!
by kindval, Aug 23, 2006 12:00AM
Hi,
I have a large (about 1cm) raised mole on my back for at least 35 years (I am 51). Oval shaped, sharp borders, surface little bit rough. Color used to be light brown, but yesterday I noticed that the color of a part of the mole (30%) has changed to black. This change must have happenend in the last month or so. No signs of any growth of the mole. No itching or bleeding. What do you think (I have made an appointment with my doctor).
Regards,
RobertvV Netherlands
I have a large (about 1cm) raised mole on my back for at least 35 years (I am 51). Oval shaped, sharp borders, surface little bit rough. Color used to be light brown, but yesterday I noticed that the color of a part of the mole (30%) has changed to black. This change must have happenend in the last month or so. No signs of any growth of the mole. No itching or bleeding. What do you think (I have made an appointment with my doctor).
Regards,
RobertvV Netherlands
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Aug 23, 2006 12:00AM
, Aug 23, 2006 12:00AM
A rapid change of the sort you describe nearly always reflects minor trauma, usually too minor to have been noticed at the time. The black part you're suddenly seeing is almost certainly a scab from this trauma. If you leave the mole alone for one month, or perhaps even less, the scab should fall off and leave the mole looking just as it always did. Unless this does not happen, in which case a visit to a physician is recommended, you should ignore it as you have done, quite properly, all this time.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
RobertvV