Is this melanoma?? Handhold needed

[Healthanxiety95]

Before it’s said I have a doctors appt booked for this week just looking for opinions / advice / handhold. This is right under my tummy - near my bikini line. So an area I don’t see much lol since having my second baby. I’m quite vigilant with my skin since having a basal cell a couple of years back but I’m not quite sure how long it’s there definitely a couple of weeks. Saw one out of hours doc who didn’t have a dermoscope but used to be a dermatologist and wasn’t too worried but gave me cream to try for two weeks first.
im afraid of amelanotic melanoma. I’ll attach pics. If anyone has had anything similar looking I’d love to hear. TIA
xx

I honestly can't see anything OP.

I'm having CBT for health anxiety but the most helpful thing I've done is regular gym visits and yoga to get my cortisol and adrenaline under control. It's hard and you do need to put the work in to get on top of it. Daily walks and plenty of fresh air help too.

Hi Op, I can totally relate - I recently found something similar looking on my hairline and had a huge spiralling meltdown thinking I had amelanotic melanoma. I looked at thousands of images online! I also suffer from health anxiety. It took over my life for a few weeks.

I went to see a dermatologist who was completely unconcerned - they said it was a small mole that I’ve probably had since being a teenager that has become irritated and will probably flatten back down again. He looked at it demographically and microscopically.

As it’s on your lower abdomen, is it possible that your elastic is rubbing and causing some kind of irritation/eczema?

It could be literally anything and even with my health anxiety I wouldn’t be jumping to melanoma. It’s not in a sun exposed area!

My husband has something like a dermofibroma (small benign thing), it puckers inwards when slightly compressed (see pic). Could be something like that?!

Would also recommend this short podcast

open.spotify.com/episode/1H3NOuUyP1wUuIEyrGeQsm?si=Nz0WuiDqRsKcsKcRGbz3qg&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A4Ex9zy992fHAFUfVp5eVHF

I also wanted to add that I have had itchy small irritated patches from my knicker elastic, on my hips. They went away but were actually there for weeks and weeks last summer. What I’m trying to say is, it could be absolutely anything and I really don’t think it looks like a melanoma (and I am somebody who has studied so many images in great detail)

I've had a small dry patch on the side of my breast for about ten years.

thanks so much for your detailed reply I really appreciate it! Health anxiety is horrendous isn’t it? Funnily I can go months & not be worrying and then something will pop up and take over!! Are you similar?
don’t think it’s one of those as I’ve a small one on my left for years but I agree looks quite similar besides the dimple etc! Your comment definitely makes me feel a bit more at ease. I hate the waiting on appt part :(

Is yours similar? @Joystir59

@Sportacus17 have you got HA as well? Did you use creams on your patches) were they round as well?

Thanks very much @BookGoblin , do you find CBT helpful?

You have had it seen by someone who used to be a dermatologist. That is better than the opinion of those on mumsnet. If the former dermatologist happy with it, then I would be reassured. It is common for benign lesions to crop up around areas of increased friction like bikini lines.

@Healthanxiety95

Yes, but the most helpful thing has been regular exercise as it reduces our background anxiety

Seeking reassurance for what is basically a spot only feeds the real issue that you're suffering from - health anxiety

You don't need me to tell you how the cycle will go! The answer is honestly to seek help once and for all for the HA. Forget this blemish - I'm not a doctor but it's fairly obviously absolutely nothing!

I had pscyhsosi from anxiety and lost everythign - its the anxiety that may kill you first

Tbh looks harmless

Yes I have areas like that.

I know why you are concerned - someone I know had a pink melanoma, people don't expect that, they think they are all moles. But as a pp said melanomas are eminently treatable these days, they are nowhere near the death sentence they used to be as long as you catch them early, which you have done if it were one!

But it won't be.

My dh is checked and mapped by a top London dermatologist every 6 months as he had one in the past. The consultant told us melanomas have uneven edges and colour. Yours looks nothing like one bit of course you’re doing the right thing getting it checked.