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Cherry angioma and moles caused by anxiety?
Hi, I am a 28 Year old man who has never had any Skin problems until recently. I'm White, Medium Complexion.
I noticed a flat brown mole or spot I hadn't seen before on my stomach about a month ago. I assumed it was always there but perhaps I paid it no attention. Then two weeks ago I noticed a sudden appearance of about a dozen cherry angioma (or at least that's what they look like to me after some online research). They are all on the left side of my torso/ribs and are pretty small. When they first appeared it caused me a great deal of anxiety about possibly being an HIV related rash since I have had some other symptoms associated with HIV (Light headed, occasional blurred vision, fatigue, soft stool, canker sore) so I spent a great deal of time online looking at rashes and did go and get tested for HIV which was negative.
I felt revealed and I knew that in most instances cherry angioma are harmless but the light headedness and fatigue persisted. All of a sudden the skin on my upper back was very dry and irritated, there were a few pimple like bumps but they didn't cause any pain or discomfort. the skin did not itch. I then noticed what looks like possibly light moles, sun spots or birth marks appear on my neck in 3 spots, also there is a rash on my neck that isn't painful or irritated, looks like a razor burn (although I havent shaved and there isnt hair in this area). After looking at my arms I noticed many similar brown spots/moles that I never noticed before but may have been there.
The dry skin on my back felt warm to the touch and it lasted a couple days and went away... but before it went away the skin on my trunk, lower back and legs became very itchy and irritated. The light headedness and fatigue have gone away but I still have the cherry angiomas and the spots on my neck.
From what I've read I am too young to be having sun spots or cherry angioma.. could either of these issues have been caused by anxiety or is there more likely an underlying medical condition? I was definitely under a great deal of anxiety and stress prior to any of my skin problems appearing.
(FYI: I have had similar light headedness and fatigue attributed to anxiety a few years ago by a doctor, also the only medicine I've taken has been OTC sominex and garlic pills)
I noticed a flat brown mole or spot I hadn't seen before on my stomach about a month ago. I assumed it was always there but perhaps I paid it no attention. Then two weeks ago I noticed a sudden appearance of about a dozen cherry angioma (or at least that's what they look like to me after some online research). They are all on the left side of my torso/ribs and are pretty small. When they first appeared it caused me a great deal of anxiety about possibly being an HIV related rash since I have had some other symptoms associated with HIV (Light headed, occasional blurred vision, fatigue, soft stool, canker sore) so I spent a great deal of time online looking at rashes and did go and get tested for HIV which was negative.
I felt revealed and I knew that in most instances cherry angioma are harmless but the light headedness and fatigue persisted. All of a sudden the skin on my upper back was very dry and irritated, there were a few pimple like bumps but they didn't cause any pain or discomfort. the skin did not itch. I then noticed what looks like possibly light moles, sun spots or birth marks appear on my neck in 3 spots, also there is a rash on my neck that isn't painful or irritated, looks like a razor burn (although I havent shaved and there isnt hair in this area). After looking at my arms I noticed many similar brown spots/moles that I never noticed before but may have been there.
The dry skin on my back felt warm to the touch and it lasted a couple days and went away... but before it went away the skin on my trunk, lower back and legs became very itchy and irritated. The light headedness and fatigue have gone away but I still have the cherry angiomas and the spots on my neck.
From what I've read I am too young to be having sun spots or cherry angioma.. could either of these issues have been caused by anxiety or is there more likely an underlying medical condition? I was definitely under a great deal of anxiety and stress prior to any of my skin problems appearing.
(FYI: I have had similar light headedness and fatigue attributed to anxiety a few years ago by a doctor, also the only medicine I've taken has been OTC sominex and garlic pills)
I have had the exact symptoms you stated you have (I mean we are identical) and also have had suffered from anxiety problems in the past. This has all happened to me since 11-16-10 when I had 1 unprotected sexual encounter? Did you ever find out what the cause of these symptoms were? Coincidentally, I am also from AZ and lived there for 13 years. I hope it was not HIV. Please let me know if you can.I am so stressed because no doctor can give me an answer. I have tested for STDs & Hiv & so negative for all.
Jeff
Jeff
Thank You, I greatly appreciate your help. I do know i have to see a doctor, unfortunately I have a severe phobia of doctors... and the past couple times I have had the courage to go to the doctor(last time being 2 yrs ago) he has basically told me I have anxiety issues causing my perceived problems (mostly to do with light headedness and abdominal pain).. That's what caused me to ponder if anxiety/stress could be linked to a sudden appearance of cherry angioams, ect. I know I have anxiety issues and they have definitely been present even prior to any of my current skin issues.
Currently, all of my prior "symptoms" have gone away, I feel very healthy physically. No more headaches, lightheadedness, brain fog, dry skin, fatigue, ect..
The only issue I am concerned with is the brown spots, the ones on my neck seemed to have lightened butand 4-5 new spots have appeared on my upper chest near the collar bone. Also, There are two on the back of my neck. The red spot on my neck seems to be going away slowly, I have been applying neosporin to it.
A couple questions I have:
Is it common for cherry angioma to appear seemingly overnight in such a large quantity?
What kind of brown spots appear suddenly and fade away, they kind of look like very small birth marks (not quite the size of an eraser, some smaller) ?
I understand it is impossible to diagnose me online, but any help you (or anyone) could give would be a great help.
Currently, all of my prior "symptoms" have gone away, I feel very healthy physically. No more headaches, lightheadedness, brain fog, dry skin, fatigue, ect..
The only issue I am concerned with is the brown spots, the ones on my neck seemed to have lightened butand 4-5 new spots have appeared on my upper chest near the collar bone. Also, There are two on the back of my neck. The red spot on my neck seems to be going away slowly, I have been applying neosporin to it.
A couple questions I have:
Is it common for cherry angioma to appear seemingly overnight in such a large quantity?
What kind of brown spots appear suddenly and fade away, they kind of look like very small birth marks (not quite the size of an eraser, some smaller) ?
I understand it is impossible to diagnose me online, but any help you (or anyone) could give would be a great help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
From your symptoms they sound like cherry angioams or seborrheic keratosis. Both of them are harmless and benign lesions. The treatment methods employed are cryotherapy with carbon dioxide (dry ice) or liquid nitrogen, electrodesiccation, electrodesiccation and curettage, curettage alone, shave biopsy or excision using a scalpel, or a laser or dermabrasion surgery. Sometimes keratolytic agents can also be applied but they are temporary treatments.
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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
From your symptoms they sound like cherry angioams or seborrheic keratosis. Both of them are harmless and benign lesions. The treatment methods employed are cryotherapy with carbon dioxide (dry ice) or liquid nitrogen, electrodesiccation, electrodesiccation and curettage, curettage alone, shave biopsy or excision using a scalpel, or a laser or dermabrasion surgery. Sometimes keratolytic agents can also be applied but they are temporary treatments.
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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
update: all rash symptoms have gone away. lasted around a week or so. I'm thinking the rash may have been from the change in weather and me turning on the heater for the first time and maybe it dried out my skin.
The cherry angioma remain as do the moles or brown spots. In fact I've noticed a couple more moles on my chest and a light brown spot on my right cheek similar to the ones on my neck. there is still on red spot on my neck that doesnt really feel like anything but it looks like a small lesion. I'm concerned that maybe the brown spots will transform into the same type of thing. all other symptoms i had have gone away except soft stool/occasional diarrhea.
Any ideas on what may be the cause of the moles/brown spots or the cherry angioma outbreak? I do remember my grandfather having quite a few red moles and i believe my father does as well but the spots on my neck worry me.
Could it be caused by drinking as I was drinking a little to often to curb the anxiety prior to my HIV test.. I am still concerned it may be HIV although the test was negative and I have only had sex once in the last 6 months and we used a condom. Hopefully, thats just my anxiety creeping in.
Could it be any other type of std?
Skin Cancer? I live in Az so I do get my share of sun exposure and i did have a sunburn in june but I've never really had too many issues with getting burns.
The cherry angioma remain as do the moles or brown spots. In fact I've noticed a couple more moles on my chest and a light brown spot on my right cheek similar to the ones on my neck. there is still on red spot on my neck that doesnt really feel like anything but it looks like a small lesion. I'm concerned that maybe the brown spots will transform into the same type of thing. all other symptoms i had have gone away except soft stool/occasional diarrhea.
Any ideas on what may be the cause of the moles/brown spots or the cherry angioma outbreak? I do remember my grandfather having quite a few red moles and i believe my father does as well but the spots on my neck worry me.
Could it be caused by drinking as I was drinking a little to often to curb the anxiety prior to my HIV test.. I am still concerned it may be HIV although the test was negative and I have only had sex once in the last 6 months and we used a condom. Hopefully, thats just my anxiety creeping in.
Could it be any other type of std?
Skin Cancer? I live in Az so I do get my share of sun exposure and i did have a sunburn in june but I've never really had too many issues with getting burns.
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