Flattish mole Puffed up- barely slept

[EezyOozy]

I’m struggling. I’ve managed about 3 hours sleep since I (in the shower last night) found an itchy puffed up mole on my upper arm.

ive been aware of it as long as I can remember (not sure how long) as a flattish mole/large freckle. I’ve some slightly dry skin on my arm so was scratching and found this raised puffy thing - the mole has apparently grown overnight ! it was a little bit itchy / dry on the surface but that’s stopped now (I put Vaseline on my dry arms after shower)

I’ve got a 5 year old to get to school and a 3 year old to look after all day. Slept from 1-4pm only. Terrified and feel sick.

im not sure why I’m posting really. I’ll call my GP as soon as I can but they’re so difficult to see and I know that I’ll have to
wait weeks to have it seen properly. That’s Xmas ruined.

my anxiety seems to have gotten out of controls.

Flat smooth moles don’t randomly puff up do they? Oh god.

Obviously get it checked, but you said yourself you have some itchy dry skin, chances are you subconsciously scratched it and caught it hence it has got a bit irritated.

This is your anxiety talking.

And breathe! GPs are quick to look at moles. You'll probably be asked to send a picture in. One of my family had a mole removed recently and it was a straightforward quick thing in the doctor's surgery. It was sent off for analysis but came back fine.
If it is anything, you've caught it in good time. It's ok. You're ok

It could be that it isn't a mole, I had one that I thought was a mole and it became raised/itchy so I went to gp. Turned out its something called a sebaceous wart and not a mole at all.

Also this! Years ago one on my face came up because I'd scratched it. Had forgotten. Am still here, with my mole, 30 years on.

Several of my moles have got more 3-dimensional if that makes sense, as I've got older (I'm mid 40s)

I’m covered in moles. I had one middle of my back that was itchy and changed shape. Went to GP who specialises in dermatology and turns out it looks like a mole to me but isn’t one. It’s some other skin thing. So go get it checked. And tell him or her bout your anxiety..

Thank you. That’s the 5th old ready for school after a meltdown about breakfast. gp opens in 30 mins

Picture

Called GP and waiting for call back.

called private mole clinic and could be seen today (1.5 hours away from my house) for £50 but all that happens is a nurse takes pictures of it and sends to a doctor for review, so think I’ll wait for Gp

I'm not a doctor but I would totally not not not worry about that!!! I had almost identical, and I was, like you, in a bit of a state worrying about what it might be. The gp at a GLANCE said oh, no that's nothing to worry about. But did take photos with a special lens, sent them to the skin people who confirmed it was nothing of concern.

They are sebaceous something or others. Basically, age spots.

I got a new once on my shoulder about six months ago, again, exact same thing.

My gp talked about what they look for, even showed me some photos that had signs of suspicion.

I hope you get seen soon OP I know you need to hear this from a gp, not an internet randomer!

I had one like this - it was an irritated intradermal nevus (i.e. mole). With the disclaimer that I’m not a medic, melanomas often look much darker, more ragged/irregular. Basal cell carcinoma (curable) often bleeds. Get it checked, of course, definitely, but I bet it’s fine.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I’m such a worrier and get precious little sleep as it is, without curveballs like this keeping me awake. I will keep reading over your replies until I’m seen as they’re talking me down.

Appt for Thursday . Need to try and sleep between now and then.

Good that you're getting it checked <3 honestly, as it's symmetical, evenly-coloured and the borders are even, I doubt it's anything to worry over. Even if it is - you've caught it very early. Hope you have a restful sleep OP :)

Hope you slept better last night @EezyOozy Pleased to hear that you have an appointment. I'm glad that the replies are helping to keep the anxiety levels down.

That looks a bit like a dermatafibroma to me. I had one on my thigh that was flattish and skin coloured for years until it grew and turned darker seemingly overnight. Had it removed partly because it was uncomfortable and partly because I needed convincing it wasn’t anything sinister. They are completely harmless.

Hi, I just wanted to give a little update for anybody who might be reading this in the future and for those that have been supportive over the last couple of days. I went to the doctor today and he looked at my mole with a special microscope thing…

He said it’s absolutely nothing to worry about and if there was a doubt in his mind he would refer me to Dermatology, but that was not necessary. He said it’s either an irritated normal mole (and it has actually gone down a tiny bit since I posted a couple of days ago), or one of those sebbhoric Keratoses (a warty age sport that starts out flat and then eventually turns crusty). I hope this reassures anybody who has a similar mole in the future. I will obviously be keeping an eye on it and if it changes anymore I’ll be going straight back.

I’ve also decided that I’m going to go for a full body Mole check (I have a lot) early next year …. and try and do this every year, I’m incredibly fair skinned and was burnt a lot as a child so having an annual
MOT will be reassuring.

That is great news @EezyOozy Thanks for updating