I went to the dermatologist today to get some advice on a skin problem I've been having and he noticed a mole on my back. He said it's "changing" (how he would know that it's changing when this was the first time I've seen him.. I dunno.) and that I should get it removed and scheduled me to get it removed next week. Now this is a mark I've had since I was little and my mom says she's been keeping an eye on it. Skin cancer does run in my family, however but I've seen nothing wrong with this mole. On the other hand, I have always been self conscious of it (like in swimsuits and such) and this would be my opportunity to get it removed and have it be covered by insurance. It would be painful though and I'm not sure it's worth a scar (though the mole is pretty big). It's just that the dermatologist may have been in practice for 30 something years but my mom says he has a reputation for "cutting people." I'm not sure if i wanna go under the knife but I'm so self-conscious. I'm in a pickle.
2007-11-05 12:03:15 · 4 answers · asked by whoop! 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
As someone who has not only worked dermatology but has also had numerous moles removed including several basal cells, a multi-focal basal cell and a malignant melanoma, I say get it removed!
A doctor does not need to have seen the mole before in order to recognize "changes". The changes are often obvious to a trained eye. The major signs of a problem are the ABC's:
asymmetry - mole is not a mirror image from one side to another
border - edges are not smooth or distinct
color - mole is not one solid color
diameter - mole is larger than 6 mm
As for the pain...it is very minimal! Surgery will be done under a local anesthetic and will take only a few minutes. You won't need more than tylenol or advil afterwards and, depending on your pain tolerance, not even that!
With skin cancer in the family, you have to ask yourself, is avoiding the surgery worth the risk? If this is skin cancer but not a melanoma, the biggest problem is that it will continue to grow in size. So, by delaying, you will end up with even a larger scar! If it is a melanoma, you run the risk of metastasis and even death if left untreated for too long. To me, the scar is minor compared to the inherent risks of non-treatment.
Please feel free to email me if you want more info or to chat. Since I have been through this many times, I can probably answer most of your questions and ease your mind. Have the surgery, sweetie; it is better to be safe!
2007-11-05 12:43:06 · answer #1 · answered by ilse72 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Safely & Permanently Remove Moles, Warts and Skin Blemishes
2016-05-17 05:26:23 · answer #2 · answered by Cheryl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a mole also since I was a little kid behind my ear . I had it remove like 4 years old, wasn't painful at all. Only took about 5 mi. for it to be removed. If I was you I would get it removed.
2007-11-05 13:05:48 · answer #3 · answered by answer my ? n keep it going lol 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skin moles are hyper-pigmentation seen on skin. They could get taken off through surgical treatment, or even better with various homemade remedies or products.
Surgery is overpriced, being from $150-400 yet it may result in scarring damage. Home remedies tend to be low-cost and even can get rid of moles inside just a couple of days without leaving scarring.
Home made remedies may inlcude onion, tea tree oil, or maybe baking soda and castor oil used during a brief period.
2014-07-19 02:39:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋