skin bump

[distressed29]

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

It is not possible to comment whether the bump was a mole or some other lesion. It would be helpful to know that 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. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and presence of a family history is a leading factor in the development of melanoma. If any abnormal cells are seen, the entire mole and a margin of normal tissue around it need to be removed.
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.