What does a melanoma look like?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

I have seen the photo attached (the attachment was removed to protect the patient's identity). It looks like an insect bite reaction or bruise.

1. How long have you been having it?
2. Are there any other sites involved?
3. Is there any pain or itch associated?
4. Are you on any medications currently for any condition?
5. Any history of eczema or psoriasis?
6. Any bleeding from the lesion?

Kindly revert for a definitive diagnosis.

You can apply Fusibet cream (Fusidic acid + Betamethasone) in the morning and night for seven days, Dermadew Aloe lotion for application in the afternoon, tablet Cetirizine 10 mg once daily in the night for five days (if itching is present).

Kindly revert with answers for specific treatment.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

From the picture sent (attachment removed to protect patient identity), it does not look like a mole or melanoma.

You can follow these medications, the topical medication for two weeks, and the tablet Cetirizine if itching is present. You can also take a short course of oral antibiotics to reduce the inflammation. Take Cefadroxil 500 mg twice daily for five days provided if you have no prior allergy.

If the lesion does not subside after two weeks, you can meet a local dermatologist for a local examination under dermatoscopy (hand microscope) to study morphology. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Melanomas are usually characterized by a widely irregular border, a change of color (over a period of time), change in shape and size (over a period of time), oozing from the lesion, itchiness, pain (rare), and skin breakdown in the area. Other risk factors include a positive family history of skin cancer and being prone to develop multiple moles over the same time frame. However, the only confirmatory test to determine malignant potency is a biopsy from the lesion to be sent for testing. You can be advised to do that if it does not regress with this treatment, and also after a dermatoscopy examination.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Please do not panic. From the pictures sent, it does not look like melanoma and also you have a negative history of all other features and if present earlier, you would have seen it earlier. Be positive and take the treatment and review after two weeks and if not subsided you can get an excision biopsy done for the lesion.

Thank you.