How quickly do I get this thing checked?

October 7, 2008 5:02 PM

How soon do I need to get a mole checked?

I have a mole on my upper arm that worries me. It is small (smaller than a pencil eraser), but peels like a sunburn every few weeks, even when I haven't gotten any sun. It is slightly irregular, has slight color variation and little tiny black spots. There is an even smaller mole about a centimeter and a half away that is more irregular and has a couple larger black spots. I think the mole is starting to be raised now, when it wasn't before.

I am away from home until December, so I would like to wait until then. The things I find on the internet say to get the moles checked, but not how quickly. Can I wait until December, or should I find a doctor here? If the latter, how soon should I make the appointment?

posted by ohio to health & fitness (8 comments total)

If it's actually worrying you and, whatsmore, changing size and shape and colour and elevation, you really don't want to wait until December. Go get it checked now.
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:17 PM on October 7, 2008

Varying color, change in texture, irregular edges, and change in size are *the* 4 warning signs that dermatologists look for. Go now!
posted by SaintCynr at 5:23 PM on October 7, 2008

Don't wait.
posted by iconomy at 5:42 PM on October 7, 2008

Now. You don't want to end up like McCain, do you?
posted by greatgefilte at 6:26 PM on October 7, 2008

Call a dermatologist near you tomorrow. Tell the dermatologist what you told us over the phone. He (or she) will be able to tell you how urgently you need to see him. My guess is that she (or he) will want you to come in sooner rather than later. Please do call tomorrow.
posted by prefpara at 6:38 PM on October 7, 2008

The problem with dermatologists is that they are used to cosmetic patients trying to "get in earlier" .. make it *very* clear that you need to have a mole check done, as soon as possible. Do not let up. Try to find a non-cosmetic dermatologist (e.g. one at a University-related pigmented lesion clinic - most major hospital systems have such a thing) since they understand the protocols and urgency better.
posted by kcm at 7:52 PM on October 7, 2008

My wife, who is an Oncology Nurse Practitioner specializing in skin cancer suggests (based upon your description) seeing a dermatologist within the week. It may be inconvenient to do so, but if it IS something to be concerned about, you'll be glad you had it treated early.

Good luck!
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:02 PM on October 7, 2008

Now! You should go now.
I don't want to be a panic merchant but they do pimp the skin cancer awareness thing pretty hard down here... (In Queensland we even have mole clinics. Yep, all day they just look at moles.)

From memory, raised ones are hardly ever a concern - it's the flat ones you really need to keep an eye on. But do you mean peeling as in flakey... Flakey, sore or weeping would have me popping into the Dr. or a clinic asap. Changes in shape ect. I would take note of and remember to ask them to look at next time I was there or walking past. (Unless it was an alarmingly rapid change.)

:) But it's not a big deal, hey. And that's even if it is 'the worst'. The sooner you go the more of a non-event it will be.
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 7:06 AM on October 8, 2008