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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
dark blotch on upper lip
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.
dark blotch on upper lip
by jg_zero, Jul 09, 2006 12:00AM
I'm a 25 year old white male with mild rosacea and seb derm. In addition to these chronic conditions, I have been developing small brown to reddish-brown spots on my forehead and nose for the last couple of years. I've been to many dermatologists and had a lot of different answers as to what these spots (some raised) are, from sebaceous hyperplasia, to melasma, lentigo, and so forth. I'm very pale, so, these things tend to stand out. I would like to have them removed or at least severely diminished in appearance, I feel as though these spots make me look quite a bit older than I am. So, first question, 1) what is the best option for removing these spots if they are indeed sebaceous hyperplasia (which I would have to agree with one derm on).
Secondly, and more importantly at the moment, about 9 weeks ago I had a large bump protruding from my lip, below the outside rim but close to the edge. Over the course of a few days, it settled down without scabbing or becoming any sort of blister. For about the past 8 weeks since, I've seen little to no change in the reddish-purple spot on my lip, and the area isn't raised at all, I can only feel a little crack through the middle of it with my tongue. 6 weeks ago, I had a dermatologist's PA examine it, and she injected the area with a steroid which did absolutely nothing. I'm extremely aware of this spot on my lip and would like desperately for the color to return to normal, but it seems as though this will not occur on it's own. I have been tested for herpes fairly recently which came up negative, which was no surprise to me really as I've never had a cold sore, but my general practicioner wanted to make sure. So, anyway, for my other question 2) Any ideas as to what this might be and if it will be possible to return my lip to normal or near normal? The spot has a diameter of about 1.5 centimeters if that helps at all.
Thank you for reviewing my questions, I greatly appreciate any advice that you may provide.
Justin
Secondly, and more importantly at the moment, about 9 weeks ago I had a large bump protruding from my lip, below the outside rim but close to the edge. Over the course of a few days, it settled down without scabbing or becoming any sort of blister. For about the past 8 weeks since, I've seen little to no change in the reddish-purple spot on my lip, and the area isn't raised at all, I can only feel a little crack through the middle of it with my tongue. 6 weeks ago, I had a dermatologist's PA examine it, and she injected the area with a steroid which did absolutely nothing. I'm extremely aware of this spot on my lip and would like desperately for the color to return to normal, but it seems as though this will not occur on it's own. I have been tested for herpes fairly recently which came up negative, which was no surprise to me really as I've never had a cold sore, but my general practicioner wanted to make sure. So, anyway, for my other question 2) Any ideas as to what this might be and if it will be possible to return my lip to normal or near normal? The spot has a diameter of about 1.5 centimeters if that helps at all.
Thank you for reviewing my questions, I greatly appreciate any advice that you may provide.
Justin
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 10, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 10, 2006 12:00AM
Sebaceous hyperplasia is best treated by light electrosurgery.
Please see a dermatologist whom you trust to diagnose you properly and recommend treatment, if any is available. If several dermatologists can't tell you what you have, then perhaps you really don't have very much, and wish to change what cannot be changed. There is no point trying to figure this out on the internet.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Please see a dermatologist whom you trust to diagnose you properly and recommend treatment, if any is available. If several dermatologists can't tell you what you have, then perhaps you really don't have very much, and wish to change what cannot be changed. There is no point trying to figure this out on the internet.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
