worrisome freckle

[atmj]

I am a 39 year old female, excellent health, fair skin, several childhood sunburns, my mother died of melanoma at age 60. I've had several skin lesions removed, but the biopsies were all fine. Yesterday I noticed a freckle on my cheek. The freckle is about 2mm with even light,tan pigment.  When I felt the freckle with my hand yesterday, it seemed to be a little bit raised, like there was a small bump underneath it. The freckle may have always been there, but it there wasn't a bump under it that I had ever noticed before. It was not painful at all. At first I thought it might be something like a pimple - I couldn't get a great look at it because it is on the side of my face. So anyway, I picked at it and squeezed it, but nothing came out. Now, this morning, the spot is a little red and irritated. The freckle on the surface looks the same, but the bump underneath the freckle is a little tender to the touch. The bump definitely seems to be connected to the freckle, ie, not just a pimple that happened to be under a freckle.

My questions are:
1. If this is melanoma or another cancer, could I have made it spread or metastisize by picking and squeezing it? Could you explain why not if that is your answer? This is my biggest fear.

2. Does this sound like anything worrisome to you?

3. What should I do now - it will probably be at least a week or more until I can get in to see my dermatologist.

Thank you so much for your time. I'm so glad to have this service because I'm on vacation away from home and I'm very anxious about this.

[atmj]

Thank you very much for your reassurance. Your reply was very helpful to me. Andrea

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It sounds like a freckle, nothing more.  I'd leave it alone and see your dermatologist when you can.  I'd bet that you won't have to do anything about it.

Even if you are at high risk for melanoma, regular checks every 6 months should be enough to catch whatever needs to be caught.

Picking does not cause metastasis, by the way.  It just makes it harder to tell what's going on.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff