No flu-like symptoms. Feel fine. Just puzzled by this red mark. It has not faded or improved since I noticed it on Wednesday, which is why I am worried.
I would try your family doctor first, especially since from my experience there can be a wait to get an appointment with a dermatologist.
I’m 18 years old and medium-high risk for skin cancer, plus I have very sensitive, weird skin. I’ve been seeing a dermatologist at least once a year for a while now and have had an atypical/pre-cancerous mole removed. From what I know about skin cancer, it doesn’t show up out of the blue. My atypical mole was ‘normal’ for years, but then scabbed over, pretty much fell off, then turned into a scar before reappearing fairly rapidly. They took a sample of it and it grew back quickly and was then surgically removed. They got all of the margins so it has not came back.
Not all skin cancer is alike, obviously, but a key element of skin cancer, from what I understand from my dermatologist, is a change over time. The atypical spots that my family members have had have typically been more of a brown color, slightly raised, with uneven color and border. What you describe doesn’t sound cancerous, but like something viral or bacterial, possibly fungal.
Thank you. We were at a hotel last weekend - out of town for a funeral - so that has me wondering. We also have a wooded backyard - and I do remember taking a walk back there one night last week - but on the path - not literally walking in the woods. So - those are my two main theories - but the thought of skin cancer - however unlikely - is also a concern. But thanks for sharing your story - I’m sure that is a lot to deal with at 18.
My red spot and I just went to see a neighbor who is a nurse. She did not think it looked like anything serious. Her advice was to give it a few more days - and then see a doctor if no improvement. Sounds good to me.
My H had no flu-like symptoms when he got cellulitis. I think a nurse would recognize cellulitis, so that probably isn’t what your red spot is. I’d have your PCP check it out if it doesn’t go away.
One thing I’ve heard people say when they’re following some sort of contained mark like that on their body is to take a pen or permanent marker and draw a line around the boundary of the mark. That way you will truly be able to see over a few days time whether it’s staying the same or getting larger or smaller. Hopefully it’s in an inconspicuous place!
Funny story, a month or so ago, I had a dysplastic nevi removed from the back of my leg, which we didn’t know was dysplastic at the time, so I got called back in for a follow up a few weeks later, in case I wanted to have a larger area excised. I asked the dermatologist if he’d gotten clean borders and he said yes, so I said we could just wait and see. And because it was on the back of my leg, it was hard for me to see and I was going to have a hard time showing H where it was when I got home, so the dermatologist took a pen and drew around the edges of the excision. Later than afternoon I was at the chiropractor for an adjustment, was on the table, and he said, “You were at the dermatologist today weren’t you?” And I said, “How’d you know?” And he said, “Because I know you can’t reach that spot to draw that perfect of a circle and it’s already an area that’s healing, so I knew a dermatologist had to be following you for something.” So yea, I guess people drawing outlines of their body rashes/marks is a known thing in some circles!
“When’s the last time you had a full skin examination from a dermatologist? If it’s more than a year, this could be a good reason to get one now.”
I think that is great advice. If you haven’t had a full skin examination in the last year, it’s time to go in. And while you’re there, ask about that spot, and any other spot you have a question about. That way you don’t have to be irritated with the copay, it’s something that you really need to do anyways. Get the doctor to look at all your mole/bumps, while you’re at it.
Very good point. I had something removed from my scalp in March and was checked then - but that is excellent advice. My mother and husband both have had skin cancers removed/treated - so I know it is important to be checked regularly.
@rockvillemom, any round spot news today? You know how we CCers worry ; )
Still with me! Not getting any worse; not getting any better. Kind of looks like a hickey on my lower leg.
Do you think you might have touched something hot. I once touch my leg against a hot pipe and while it didn’t blister and bruise it left a red mark.
My dh did just had lyme disease. He got a perfect round red circle on his leg - not a bullseye - about the size of his fist. The circle was not sore and we never saw the tick.
He had a fever running for about a week. You can have different symptoms with lyme - fever, body ache, fatique - but there’s usually something.
We’re in a high tick area so lyme comes up a lot and the Dr’s look for it.
Burn - I don’t think so - it does not hurt at all and is not hot. Lyme - this is pretty small - quarter sized - and I have absolutely no other symptoms.
Almost a week now - might be fading very slightly. I think it is going to remain an unsolved mystery, lol.
Why not just have a trained pro have a look? If it is something funky, you attack it now. My D has what I do think is likely a form of heat rash and I told her to make a ‘fit me in’ appt. She goes in Thurs am, to her regular doc, no wait for the derm.
Well - I did have my neighbor nurse look at it - and she was not concerned. I just realized that the mark corresponds to how I cross my left leg over my right leg when I have my legs up on an ottoman. While it is odd that it does not fade - I am going to stop crossing my legs at all and see if that helps it fade away. Could be a coincidence - but that is the exact spot. So - maybe it is a circulation issue?
Are you on any blood thinners, rvm? I take them. I get persistent red marks/bruises on my legs, etc. all the time from resting my ankle on the opposite knee, etc.
OP, please don’t try to get a diagnosis (or even reassurance) here. Chances are this is nothing much, but in case it’s a marker of something significant, you need to get a pair of well-educated eyes to look at it (not just your neighbor, and probably not the minute clinic either). I’m a nurse practitioner, but I wouldn’t even speculate. Not enough information, and too many possibilities.
ok, thanks. It’s not from crossing my legs - I experimented and the mark was different and did disappear. Calling for appt tomorrow.