skin biopsy

Two months ago I found a dark raised bump on the back of my upper thigh when I was taking a shower.  I am the worst picker...so I began to pick at the spot.  It just bled.  The next day there was just a scab.   Two weeks later I picked off the scab.  I was left with redness and inflammation.  Now it has been two months since I discovered the bump and now it is just a white circle with hyperpigmentation around the white circle.  The dark bump is gone.  I went to the derm. and by the looks of the lesion he felt it was a picked hair follicle.  I'm just concerned because the bump was dark and raised.  The derm. did not suggest a biopsy...  Should I have a biopsy of the lesion?  Can you pick off melanoma?  The lesion looks healed...just scared.

[Dr_Smita_S]

Hi

How are you doing?

It is not possible to comment whether the dark bump was a melanoma or some other lesion. Whenever any new moles develop, or there is any change in the color or size or bleeding in an existing mole, it may indicate some precancerous changes. However, many a times moles develop due to changes in skin pigmentation and do not have any clinical significance.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer which can spread to several parts of the body. Melanoma occurs due to changes in the melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) of skin. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and presence of a family history is a leading factor in the development of melanoma. UVB light causes harmful changes in skin cell DNA, including the activation of oncogenes and UVA light may be more likely to damage melanocytes, leading to melanoma. If any abnormal cells are seen, the entire mole and a margin of normal tissue around it need to be removed. Usually once a mole has been removed, chances of recurrence are minimal.
In any case, you should not attempt to remove a mole yourself by cutting, tearing, picking, or any other method. I feel that dermatologist would be best able to decide whether a biopsy is required or not.

Hope it helps.  Do write in if you have any additional queries.