Experiences with "suspicious" moles?

Posts: 2,144
2/12/12 7:19 A

Different insurance policies cover things differently, but my trip to the dermatologist was covered totally except for the standard co-pay for an office visit. I'm telling you, it was worth every penny (30 bucks for me) to get all that stuff taken care of and have peace of mind. (You may want to think of any other skin issues or questions you have, so you feel like you get "your money's worth" while you're there!)

So I'm hoping your insurance covers it well, too-- it seems like some of these companies are finally realizing that catching things early is cheaper than trying to fix a bigger problem, later on.

SparkPoints: (48,027)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 9,547
2/11/12 10:51 P

You're not spending money for nothing. You are spending it on your health and piece of mind. Do it as soon as possible. You're worth it.

SparkPoints: (158,833)
Fitness Minutes: (112,042)
Posts: 46,222
2/11/12 8:26 P

For peace of mind, that may be worth the money. Be well!

Coach Nancy

SparkPoints: (5,284)
Fitness Minutes: (5,435)
Posts: 135
2/11/12 8:15 P

Thank you, I will be calling my insurance company on Monday to find out what it will cover and if I need a referral to the dermatologist from a regular doctor or if I can just go straight there. I am not really nervous about it, mainly curious & concerned about money for my insurance co-pay. I did talk to my mom about it earlier today and she recommended I get an appointment but she hasn't seen it so she was just going off my description. I would just hate to spend all the money for nothing.

Posts: 2,144
2/11/12 7:59 P

Get an appointment with a dermatologist. He/she will be able to tell you what it is. I have had moles removed (one cancerous and others not). There are 3 kinds of skin cancer; melanoma is the worst one and chances are it's not that. But you won't know unless you go to the doctor.

The cancerous one I had was not melanoma. It was a small spot that looked sort of like a wart but it scaled and itched, and the dermatologist "froze" it off. It feels sort of like a little burn, not bad at all. I had a mole on my back "frozen" off too, and a larger one on my back he had to scrape off -- too big for freezing (he numbed up the area first, I honestly didn't feel a thing). He sent the big one off to a lab to be tested, that one had been constantly irritated and sore. Got the results back in 2 days. Nothing to worry about. (It was right where my bra hooks are.)

The ones they freeze off will scab over and then be totally all healed up like nothing ever happened, in a couple weeks.

So basically what I'm saying is, any time you have a mole or spot on your skin and you're not sure what it is or if it could be "bad" or it's bleeding or oozing or anything-- just go to the dermatologist.

Edited by: MISSRUTH at: 2/11/2012 (20:04)

SparkPoints: (158,833)
Fitness Minutes: (112,042)
Posts: 46,222
2/11/12 7:52 P

Hi MRSWILKI,

While SparkPeople is a wonderful community for support and encouragement, when it comes to medical-based questions, it is best to contact your doctor. It may not be anything, but unfortunately none of us, members and experts, can't tell you that.

Even if another member had a similar experience, you still will want to contact your doctor. I know you must be nervous, so maybe talking with your parents about this may help.

Coach Nancy

SparkPoints: (5,284)
Fitness Minutes: (5,435)
Posts: 135
2/11/12 7:39 P

I'm not sure where else to ask this, I'm not in a "panic" mode but none of the other boards seemed appropriate.

I would like to hear some experiences from anyone who has gone to the doctor/dermatologist to have a "suspicious lesion" looked at. Or as I understand it, a spot on your body that is concerning. What were the results? What was the appointment like?

The reason I ask is because last year I developed a new "freckle" on my arm, I noticed it because my other freckles are light brown, whereas this one is either very dark brown or black. I didn't think anything of it other than being curious. A couple months ago it began to bleed randomly (no scratches or ingrown hairs on it or anything). Over winter break it became scaly and raised, but within a couple days returned to the normal size, but bleed slightly. A couple days ago it looked raised again and I gave it a light scratch and it bled, today it bled again. It looks flattened out again but with a slightly reddish tinge from the bleeding.

I don't know whether to call this spot a freckle or a mole as it is so small, I have heard that moles can be flat also. I am considering whether to call a dermatologist to have it looked at, or if I am being a hypochondriac. I think if I could hear some real-life stories it would help me to decide. It is just so tiny that I can't wrap my head around the possibility that it could be anything bad?

By the way, I am a 20 year old female. I don't believe I have a history of melanoma in my family, at the very least neither of my parents or their parents have had melanoma to my knowledge.

Thank you!