Moles

[Eve]

Have got what I think is one, never had one before.

I only noticed it when I was in a changing room with mirrors front and back and saw it when trying on some clothes. Not sure how long it's been there but not long I don't think, not somewhere I'd usually look/see as it's on my upper back but can look out for it now I know it's there.

Thought I'd ask, and also might be useful for anyone else who has them, what kinds of things to look out for to keep an eye on them and see if it is likely to be a mole or not.

It's a egg shaped, mostly brown but a lighter section on part of it. There is a lighter kind of shadow a bit smaller near it so maybe another one developing?

Thanks for any help.

[237SJ]

I don`t know how old you are but it could be seborrhoeic keratosis as they tend to develop on your back and are oval shaped. Some people are covered with them. I guess you need to keep an eye on it to see if it changes in any way such as bleeds, itches etc but if in doubt, get it checked out.

[Sqad]

I agree with 237SJ.+ if it gets any larger.

Monitor the situation.

[Eve]

Thanks both, ah, hadn't heard of that before! Been trying to get a picture up but can't get tinypic to work and upload my photo.

Will go google, thanks for that. I will keep an eye on it, at least I know it's there now.

[lcg]

if you can't directly see it, and don't know how long it has been there, go to your dr. i went to mine three times with a suspicious mole i knew had changed shape and become raised, but because it was under a certain amount of mm, he sort of dismissed it. it wasn't until i said that i was prepared to cut the thing out myself that he did anything, and it turned out to be pre-cancerous. get it checked asap.

[lcg]

you also say it is not round and is not one colour. both of these things are warning flags for moles that need to be checked by a medical professional. do NOT wait and see how it goes, and squad, i am very surprised that you would even suggest that given the info in the op.

[Sqad]

Icg

\\\\\Not sure how long it's been there but not long I don't think\\\\

Not bleeding , not itching, egg shaped (so smooth contours).........can't see what is wrong in "monitoring the situation."

[Eve]

Hi lcg, I need to speak to GP anyway so will mention it and see if they want me to come in and have it looked at.

Have managed to get a picture up, switched to Firefox and it's playing again :)

Hope this works:

http://tinypic.com/r/6hhs91/8

[Sqad]

That looks like a benign mole to me without any signs of malignancy.

However, Icg has injected a degree of concern, so I would follow her advice.

[Eve]

Thanks Sqad, that's reassuring :) Will mention to GP as lcg suggests.

Was a bit more antsy with some of the meds I'm on. It's not in an area exposed to the sun though and am not a sunseeker at all.

I am not a fan of hot sun generally, keep out of it as much as possible, don't sunbathe or use tanning salons (save a few times many years ago).

Will see if the other bit develops into one too. Was a bit nonplussed as never had one before.

Sorry 237SJ , am 35.

[davidharper]

Yes moles create big problems. Thanks for suggestions here.

[Eve]

GP had a look while in sorting a prescription issue and said it looks ok but to keep and eye on it and take photos to check and track any change to it. She said it does have more than one colour but that the borders are smooth.

Thanks all for your advice, good they have seen it so if there is any change there should be a note.

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback.

[NoMercy]

You would need to watch out for changes in size, shape and colour, itching, scaling, crusting and bleeding.

A Dermatologist would use a dermatoscope to look for telangiectasias and arborists vessels.

Most common diagnosis in these cases is benign compound naevi

[NoMercy]

Arborising vessels.

I hate this phone.