Worried sick, strange lesion/patch on back

[patienceisvirtuous]

I have what I thought was a dry skin patch on my back (between my shoulder blades, probably a couple of centimeters in diameter). It's been there at least a couple of months and it isn't healing. Also it weeps sometimes.

I have been having a lot of mid-back pain recently and was showing my father where my back hurt when he noticed my dry patch and said you need to get that checked out at the docs asap. I hadn't really took much notice of it until then. So that night I made the mistake of Googling 'dry skin patch on back' and have now convinced myself I have skin cancer :-(

I was already really anxious about my back pain and now my anxiety is sky high and my imagination keeps running wild :-(. I keep crying and panicking and my hands have been shaking all weekend. I have a gp appointment tomorrow morning.

Has anyone had similar that turned out to be nothing?

Sounds very like psorasis - there are 3 different types!

I had a similar patch and it turned out to be a rodent ulcer; a type of skin cancer, but a localised one which was easily removed. They said it was an unusual place for one as they are usually on faces/hands/arms which are more exposed to the sun. In fact the only reson they removed it was because I had had a previous rodent ulcer removed from my hairline and they were surprised when the back one tested positive as a rodent ulcer as well.

It could also be that the back pain is a red herring and is more likely down to a musculo-skeletal issue.

I'm sure the GP will set your mind at rest; try not to worry too much tonight

Re my back pain, I have had bloods done and an xray. Getting my results tomorrow (routine appointment) so I am going to mention the patch then.

I have been connecting the two and getting myself in such a state :-(

Aw I know how you feel. I've been having wimmins problems for ages and its hard not to worry myself into a state, even though scans and xrays etc were clear a year ago and a hysteroscopy in Feb only found a little polyp. cinstant bleeding over the last few months and I am convinced there's something sinister going on.

I hope you can get some sleep tonight

oops should have said I've had a recurrence of previous constant bleeding

Doc confident it isn't skin cancer. Thinks it's psoriasis. Got steroid cream.

Xray scans came back clear. And I got six months on anti anxiety tablets!

I hope you get a resolution on your lady problems. Keep at them. I am sure it will be fine though (says the girl who didn't sleep a wink last night through worry!!)

Oh that is good news patience I hope the steroid creams sort it out. Psoriasis is a pain, but maneagable. Keep an eye on the back pain though; there is a condition called psoriatic arthritis which would need a referral to a rheumatologist.

I'm seeing my gynae on 20th November; if I have any blood left in me by then!

The one thing I have learnt with health anxiety is that you ALWAYS have a second symptom you can connect to a diagnosis of the first symptom. ALWAYS! Glad you're okay OP.

Glad I found this thread. I have a weird patch on my upper chest. Started off like a wax flake, now looks red, irregular. I am off to the docs on Friday, bit this thread has reassured me (lived in Aussie for a while and they always went on about skin cancer).

Best to get it checked aged, it's probably nothing.

I have now convinced myself I have coeliac disease - joint pain (including the back pain), the rash and my dad is a coeliac. Sigh

Will ask for a test at docs.