Could this be something? - Cancer: Skin Message Board

michaelfloyd · 05-31-2004, 11:35 AM

I have this small red spot on my back/side that has a symetrical oval shape surrounding it that's a lighter color. the spot is about the size of a marker tip and the oval is probably about the size of the pad on your index finger. it's on a part of my back that i see in the mirror often so i know it hasn't been there for longer than a week or so (or at least not big enough for me to notice it). it doesn't look anything like any skin cancer i've seen pictures of... should i go get it checked out? also, i've always had a lot of acne on my back... but this looks different, and isn't in an area that i typically get acne. oh and it's also an area of my back that NEVER gets any sun (i don't go out without a shirt on or anything) and i don't think i've ever been sunburned there in my life.

i don't have insurance and have never been to a dermatoligist before... is an appointment expensive?

Keplicas2 · 06-02-2004, 08:09 PM

Does it look like a bullseye? You havent had any ticks on you recently have you? A bullseye on the skin can mean lyme disease, but I am not sure though.

positive4u · 06-02-2004, 08:34 PM

michaelfloyd,
Like other specialists, dermatologists' can run in the lower 100's as far as bills go. All depends on what is done. What is your life worth???
Positive4U

michaelfloyd · 06-03-2004, 02:04 AM

hmm... well... it's not a matter of "what's my life worth"... because i mean, that's obvious. but what does matter is that i don't have insurance and i am very broke... so i don't know what to do. if it weren't a money issue i wouldn't even be posting on this board, i'd just go to the doctor. but, situations as they are, i wanted to post here to see if anybody could give me any helpful information.

and Keplicas2: it does somewhat look like a bullseye... but nothing like the pictures i've seen of lyme disease... it's not a rash or anything... it's just a small red spot with a ligher colored border around it. i guess it does kind of look like a bug bite, but i'm pretty sure that's not what it is. it's not irritated or anything like a bite would be.

thanks for the replies though.

lidia09 · 06-03-2004, 11:33 AM

Hi Michael
I'm no mole expert but I've had a malignant melanoma & what you've got doesn't sound much like one of those. I'd say keep an eye on it & see if it changes. An Aussie once gave me a good tip of covering your mole with a piece of see-thru plastic & draw the shape of the mole/blemish on the plastic. After that, all you have to do is put the plastic over the mole & instantly you know if it has grown.

If it changes in any way - colour, size, shape, starts to itch, flake, bleed etc. see a doc but if you can't afford a doc just now then just keep an eye on it.

Sorry I can't advise on costs of seeing a dermatologist. I'm in the UK.

Best wishes.

Lidia