Pink Bump

[distressed1]

Hi,



For the past year I've had a raised pink colored bump on the underside of my left forearm. It's hard, hasn't changed in size very much (smaller than a pencil eraser), and looks pearly/translucent. When I first noticed it I thought it was a pimple and tried to pop it. It scabbed over, then turned pink again. Sometimes it almost looks like there's a little white pimple on it, but that disappears and reappears randomly. Of course I'm worried that this is some form of skin cancer, and I have an appointment with a dermatologist set up for after the holidays. Also, in the past few weeks I've noticed a similar place on my scalp above my ear on the right side. It is covered by my hair, and is pink and slightly raised. It seems to have increased in size a bit, but is still about the size of a pencil eraser.  I'm really stressing myself out that it is some sort of melanoma that has spread.  Is this even possible?  Thank you for your advice.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This sounds nothing like skin cancer, melanoma or otherwise.  It's probably a mole or cyst, or some other form of benign growth.  You should leave it alone until you're seen, so as not to confuse the dermatologist who sees you.



Best.



Dr. Rockoff

[itchyone]

Sounds like Psoriasis to me.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Itchyone:



I think you nailed the stretch marks, but psoriasis doesn't present as a hard , pearly bump....



Dr. Rockoff

[distressed1]

Thanks Doctor.  I've looked at pictures of various skin cancers on the Internet, and the place on my arm resembles some pictures of both basal cell carcinoma or nodular melanoma.  It's a hard, rounded pinkish-red spot that is smaller than a pencil eraser.  The place on my head is flatter, about the same size, and the same color.  Seeing the pictures on the Internet really scared me, especially nodular melanoma. I don't have any discoloration on my spot, just pink.

[distressed1]

Thanks Doctor. I've looked at pictures of various skin cancers on the Internet, and the place on my arm resembles some pictures of both basal cell carcinoma or nodular melanoma. It's a hard, rounded pinkish-red spot that is smaller than a pencil eraser. The place on my scalp is flatter, about the same size and the same color. Seeing the pictures on the Internet really terrified me, especially nodular melanoma. I don't have any discoloration on my spots, just pink.

[itchyone]

Sorry Doctor I misread what she posted. I thought she said the area was a pink bump with scaly with pearly/translucent shedding. My fault.

[distressed1]

Thanks Doctor. I've looked at pictures of various skin cancers on the Internet, and the place on my arm resembles some pictures of both basal cell carcinoma or nodular melanoma. It's a hard, rounded pinkish-red spot that is smaller than a pencil eraser. The place on my scalp is flatter, about the same size and the same color. Seeing the pictures on the Internet really terrified me, especially nodular melanoma. I don't have any discoloration on my spots, just pink.