Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Sudden mole
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Sudden mole
by mf1, Sep 14, 2007 02:27AM
How quickly can a mole grow? I just noticed a mole on my forearm appx. 1/2 " It looks like a series of conjoined moles and is sensitive but not painful, the colors are light to dark brown. I never noticed this until today. So it can't have been there for too long. I also have itching on that arm and several little red open "craters" that heal and then open again, sometimes turning white. The "craters start about 3" away from the mole on lower and upper forearm. Could this series of connected moles be a melanoma and how could it have appeared so quickly. I also noticed a new strange shaped mole on my right arm, but it is much smaller and not sensitive.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Sep 16, 2007 04:02AM
, Sep 16, 2007 04:02AM
To: mf1
No, this sounds nothing like a melanoma. It sounds like something you never noticed before but only now started paying attention to. Perhaps it became irritated a bit. That is suggested by the fact that you say you've been itching the area--the "craters" are no doubt from scratching. Rapid changes generally do not go along with cancer, which develops quite slowly. My advice is to leave the area alone--cover it with a band-aid so you can't rub it inadvertently--and show it to a dermatologist. That way you can probably forget about it.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by Yanni123, Sep 14, 2007 08:05AM
To: Dr. Rockoff
I apologize for entering a response here, but, if you could answer my question from 9/11/07 labeled concerned, I would appreciate it. Again, my apologies.
