HomeAnswersDermatologymelanomaCan scratching a mole cause melanoma?

How to confirm if a brown spot on the skin is a melanoma?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At September 20, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 12, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

After walking in the woods and finding ticks on my dog, I did a skin check on my body. I noticed an area on my calf that had turned into a purple and dark-raised area. I thought it was a blood blister and scratched it off. I now realize that the dark spot was a previous mole that must have changed in the last few months. I now seem to have a brownish color in the place where the old mole was. I am attaching the pictures. Does it look suspicious for melanoma? Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I have reviewed the attached pictures (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Bleeding and irregular margins indicate a suspicious lesion. A fair skin tone, increasing age, family history of skin cancer, prolonged exposure to sunlight, history of severe sunburn, bleeding, and irregular margins or borders are risk factors for skin cancer. I suggest you get a biopsy done to rule out malignancy. A histopathologic examination under the microscope is required to rule out malignancy. I also suggest the below treatment plan. Apply Mupirocin ointment or cream twice daily for ten days (Consult a specialist doctor, talk to him or her, and start the medicine with their consent). Avoid scratching and rubbing the lesion. Avoid direct sunlight or sunburn. Apply a photostable sunscreen daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm for two months. I hope this helps. Kindly revert in case of further questions. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply. Bleeding occurred as I scratched the raised spot. Can brown pigmentation occur due to irritation caused by scratching? Kindly advise.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It looks suspicious due to irregular margins. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav
Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav

Venereology

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