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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
I'm scared and need advice
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.
I'm scared and need advice
by TaxiJan, Oct 04, 2007 07:58PM
I have what I believe to be skin cancer that has been going on for several months now.
Several months ago I got a few sores on my left forearm from bug bites scratched too much. They seemed to bleed excessively when irritated. Most of them ended up healing leaving a dark coloration and surface remains slightly scaly. One of the spots became raised with a thick scaly surface. Me who can't leave things alone kept trying to remove the scaly top. I thought the "bump" was a result of scar tissue building up. A couple weeks ago while peeling the surface, I exposed a cluster of white spots just under the skin. I cut open around one of them and pulled out a hard white ball that seemed to be attached to a blood vessel.
After another week or so, I noticed the white ball cluster was no longer at the surface. I didn't think much about that until last Saturday when someone told me she lost a friend to a non melanoma that had in time internalized. I have been in panic mode since. I called my primary who referred me to a dermatologist that cannot get me in for two more weeks.
As of late... 2 new spots that got cut on my left arm bled more than should, and are not healing. If the scab gets irritated, it bleeds. Also noticing a lot of little white spots on the back of both hands and some on forearms. Some of them are dot shaped and some are linear.
I've also noticed that the surrounding area around the worst spots on my left arm is very slightly puffed and and feels just a little squishy under the skin when lightly poked. Over the last couple days I have noticed a slight numb feeling in the forearm and back of the hand down to the knuckes.
I would like some input as to how scared I should or shouldn't be at this point, and whether waiting two weeks to see a dermatologist is ok or if I should be seeking immediate professional help.
Several months ago I got a few sores on my left forearm from bug bites scratched too much. They seemed to bleed excessively when irritated. Most of them ended up healing leaving a dark coloration and surface remains slightly scaly. One of the spots became raised with a thick scaly surface. Me who can't leave things alone kept trying to remove the scaly top. I thought the "bump" was a result of scar tissue building up. A couple weeks ago while peeling the surface, I exposed a cluster of white spots just under the skin. I cut open around one of them and pulled out a hard white ball that seemed to be attached to a blood vessel.
After another week or so, I noticed the white ball cluster was no longer at the surface. I didn't think much about that until last Saturday when someone told me she lost a friend to a non melanoma that had in time internalized. I have been in panic mode since. I called my primary who referred me to a dermatologist that cannot get me in for two more weeks.
As of late... 2 new spots that got cut on my left arm bled more than should, and are not healing. If the scab gets irritated, it bleeds. Also noticing a lot of little white spots on the back of both hands and some on forearms. Some of them are dot shaped and some are linear.
I've also noticed that the surrounding area around the worst spots on my left arm is very slightly puffed and and feels just a little squishy under the skin when lightly poked. Over the last couple days I have noticed a slight numb feeling in the forearm and back of the hand down to the knuckes.
I would like some input as to how scared I should or shouldn't be at this point, and whether waiting two weeks to see a dermatologist is ok or if I should be seeking immediate professional help.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Oct 06, 2007 06:44PM
, Oct 06, 2007 06:44PM
To: TaxiJan
I don't think you should b scared at all. Skin cancers don't come in bunches, so having "a few sores" is not a sign of cancer. Also, you have been peeling the area of concern, which of course will leave a bump of healing tissue, which causes you further anxiety. Please leave you skin entirely alone until you see the dermatologist, so that he or she can actually tell what's there and biopsy if needed. I bet it won't be.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by TaxiJan, Oct 30, 2007 07:54PM
To: Dr. Rockoff
Thank you, I apologize for the late reply. My computer broke 3 weeks ago and I just got a new one. I saw the dermatologist and found I have a staff/bacterial infection that went unchecked way too long (my fault due to a lack of knowledge and an overdose of procrastination).
