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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be really worried about spot on DD's scalp?

76 replies

Puddingfordinner · 20/03/2020 10:23

She is 10. She said a few weeks ago she had a sore spot on her head. It was really tender and hurt when I brushed her hair. It started as just a small lump, not particularly red and no head on it. It's at the front of her head near her parting.

It eventually scabbed over. It's just a small lump now, no scab and doesn't hurt anymore but she has a small bald area around it.

So it seems to be healing but it's taking such a long time. And why has it caused a bald area?

She's a red head so yes I'm being really paranoid and worrying about skin cancer. She always wears a hat in the sun and spf. Never been sunburnt or anything but there have been times her head has
been exposed when swimming in the sea etc.
Also feeling more anxious as I wouldn't be able to see a doctor about it with the current situation.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
SerenDippitty · 10/04/2020 10:24

Could it possibly be a wart - you can get them on the scalp.

Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 10/04/2020 10:27

Thanks @GreyishDays . I don't suppose you remember what your spot looked like?

OP posts:
Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 10/04/2020 10:30

Hmmm doesn't really look like a wart @Serendippitty It looks like a pink mole with a yellow bit, like pus, and the pus seems to come and go as though it drains and refills.

To be really worried about spot on DD's scalp?
OP posts:
GreyishDays · 10/04/2020 10:50

It was just a reddish bump I think. Can’t really remember. Sorry.

Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 10/04/2020 11:03

No worries @Greyishdays To be fair,you wouldn't have been able to see it on your own head, I expect!

OP posts:
GreyishDays · 10/04/2020 11:22

It was at the front, actually, so I could.

Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 10/04/2020 13:22

Ah ok!

OP posts:
Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 10/04/2020 13:24

Been referred to a dermatologist. Wonder whether we'll be seen in person?

OP posts:
Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 12/04/2020 13:43

I've really tried not to google the past few days but my anxiety has got the better of me and I've been frantically looking up skin conditions online. I can't find examples of anyone having anything similar or anything that resembles what she's got other than the scariest thing. If it was a few spots I would feel so much better as that would point more to it being a rash,fungal infection or something like that. But it's just one.

I feel so silly getting myself into a state about this. I know we'll probably have to wait to see the dermatologist which I totally understand given what's going on right now but the wait is tortuous. I just keep swinging from being calm to feeling sick with panic when I look at her. Can't talk to DH about it because I feel like he gets fed up of me panicking about this sort of stuff and I just end up worrying him too.

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 12/04/2020 14:10

Sorry didn’t see your question. Mine was uncomfortable at times as it got caught with hair brush and when showering etc. If you can afford &200 I’d get a private appt for ease of mind.

Haggisfish · 12/04/2020 14:12

If your main worry is skin cancer it is highly unlikely to be that. It doesn’t look like that and she won’t have the years of uv exposure that increases risk so much. Stop googling. I’ve had health anxiety myself and now take low dose duloxetine. It’s honestly been life changing and has stopped my anxiety.

Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 12/04/2020 14:13

Thanks @Haggisfish Do you remember how yours started or did it just appear? Hers began as a very painful, tiny spot under the skin that couldn't be seen at all, only felt.

OP posts:
Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 12/04/2020 14:15

That's exactly what I'm worried about. I know it's unlikely...but of course all the things I've read online tell me it's 'unlikely but not impossible'. HA is awful isn't it.

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 12/04/2020 14:21

I think it did start like that and just gradually got bigger over years. I finally had it removed as it looked horrible and was interfering with day to day hair brushing and cutting!

iabvvu · 12/04/2020 15:03

I think it's a small sebaceous cyst that got infected (when it was really painful) and now the sac occasionally refills. Almost certainly nothing to worry about but worth keeping the derm appointment for peace of mind. Good luck

Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 12/04/2020 15:11

Thanks @Haggisfish
@iabvvu thank you, that sounds feasible. Do you think that could cause the hair loss too? (Sorry, I'm quizzing you all as though you're Doctors!)

OP posts:
iabvvu · 12/04/2020 15:41

@Puddingfordinner yes, any trauma to the skin (I.e. the cyst bursting or similar) can cause a kind of stress response which can lead to hair loss. It should resolve within a few months and doesn't look too noticeable from the pictures anyway. Like I said, keep the appointment because it's always worth checking these things out and it'll hopefully put your mind at ease

Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 12/04/2020 15:54

Thank you @iabvvu. Yes, I'm definitely keeping the appointment. If it's going to take a while, I'll go private.

OP posts:
Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 24/04/2020 15:35

Still waiting for a dermatology appointment to come through so have got the ball rolling on a private one. Am having a private consultation on phone next week but thought I'd wait to contact my GP and tell them to cancel the NHS one just in case by some chance that comes through first (if that's not a bad thing to do??)

OP posts:
Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 25/04/2020 11:04

Just checked her spot and it had dried pus around it - looks like it had popped. First time it's ever done that. It's looked like it had a tiny bit of pus lots of times (little bit raised with a bit of yellow in it) but then it'll flatten as though the pus has drained away- like it fills, empties, then refills. So I cleaned it up just now and as I did, it bled a tiny, tiny bit from the hole where the pus had drained. Don't know if that's a good sign? Going to wash her hair to make sure it's all properly clean.

OP posts:
Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 29/04/2020 15:54

@iabvvu looks like you were right, Dr thinks it's an infected cyst. So relieved.

OP posts:
iabvvu · 29/04/2020 16:13

That's fab news, really glad you're feeling better about it! Hope it clears up asap

Original poster
Puddingfordinner · 29/04/2020 16:43

Thank you - me too!

OP posts:
Summergarden · 29/04/2020 18:59

So relieved for you OP.

My DH has numerous (between 8-10) huge cysts on his head. He has short hair so you can see huge bumps sticking up and it freaked me at first. But fatty cysts on the scalp are surprisingly common.

Chipsahoy · 29/04/2020 19:12

Cysts quite often come back apparently even after they pop, t's really common, try not to worry. Saying that, I had one on my head for years then one day it got super sore, popped and didn't come back.