Mole-like growth on neck, soreness SCARED NEED ADVICE.

[hundredonehundred]

I am 23 years old and have pretty fair skin, but havent had many sunburns. I went tanning very frequently for 2-3 years when I was 17-20. I have stopped tanning since, and havent gotten much sun since then. I have never seen a dermatologist, because I have never had any changes or weird skin problems.
About a year ago, I noticed a mole on my neck that seemed to appear one day. It got to be about the size of a pencil eraser within a few months. Although it is ugly to me because it was never there, it was never itchy or bleeding or irregular looking.
Over the past few months it has really started to bother me, it got darker in color, and it is itchy sometimes, becoming more frequent, and it has been getting rough and scab-like on the surface. I made an appointment to see my pcp this week, but wanted more input first..

What scares me the most is that under the mole, my neck is sore. it feels like I pulled a small muscle or have a bruise in the area with the mole.

Any information on what this could be would really be helpful. My pcp is not that thorough, im afraid of him just removing it and not knowing if it is cancerous or what-not. I hope to get a referral for a dermatologist though.

THANK YOU

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For such kind of mole which has started bothering you need to get an immediate evaluation done from a dermatologist. Melanoma has an irregular border, is asymmetrical, uneven color and increasing in size. If you notice changes in the mole's/mark’s color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it. You also should have it checked if it bleeds, oozes, itches, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Harrybrigham]

Moles that change should always be seen by a Dermatologist, and as soon as possible.