What causes discoloration and tenderness in a mole?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 21-year-old female. I have had a mole on my hip as long as I can remember. It has always been the same mid-level brown color and relatively symmetrical. Today, as I was pulling my underwear down, I noticed it was stuck to the material with blood out of nowhere. It has not been itchy, and I have not picked at it. It feels slightly tender or bruised. It has changed completely to a pinkish-red color, and accompanying the bleeding is also flaking and crusting, but only minimally. Should I be concerned? I have health anxiety and cannot wait to call my general practitioner, and I am also worried that I am being dramatic.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I suggest you apply a cream containing Betamethasone and Fusidic acid twice daily for seven days. Please answer the following to get a clear insight into your problem:

1. Is there a painful lesion?

2. Is anything oozing from that site?

3. Do you have a fever?

5. Is there a family history of melanoma or skin cancer?

6. Is there any history of severe sunburn at an early age?

I hope this information helps you.

Revert with replies to the above questions.

Regards.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Skin cancer occurs in areas exposed to sunlight. It could be benign or malignant. If it is detected early, it can be treated quickly with less scarring.

Signs and symptoms are:

A non-healing sore that started as a patch or rash.
A growth that bleeds easily and crusts over.
Change in shape or size of existing marks or discolorations.
Formation of ulcers or rough and scaly areas.
Lesions are painful, tender, itchy, or red bumps shiny, and pearly.
A raised area with a central lump.

Causes include long-term sun exposure, repeated exposure to radiation, unusual scars on the skin, weakened immune system, frequent exposure to certain chemicals, and tanning beds.

Risk factors include being fair-skinned, exposure to UV (ultraviolet) rays, certain skin conditions, elderly population, many moles or dysplastic nevi, and a family history of skin cancer.

Prevention measures:

Avoid mid-day sun.
Use sunscreen lotion, even on a cloudy day.
Wear protective clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Avoid tanning booths.
Do a self-examination of the skin to look for changes and detect them early.
Use photostable sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors in the sun.
Apply cream containing Betamethasone and Fusidic acid twice daily for seven days.
Tablet vitamin C 500 mg once a day after breakfast for 30 days.
Do not scratch or rub the lesion.
Look for changes in the suspicious-looking sore.

I hope this information helps you.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

In that picture (attachments are removed to protect the patient’s identity), it appears as a minor erosive lesion. Apply Mupirocin cream twice daily for two weeks. No need to worry. Look for changes in the lesion, and if found suspicious, order a biopsy to rule out malignancy. Do not pop lesions.

I hope this information helps you.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.