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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #14954
45 days ago
129

skin black patch - #14954

Myra

I am really starting to freak out about this skin black patch I found on my leg a few weeks ago. At first I thought maybe it was just a bruise from bumping into something, but it hasn’t gone away and it actually seems to be getting a bit bigger. I mean, I’m no expert, but this skin black patch doesn’t look normal at all. The edges are kinda irregular, and the color is just off—way darker than my tan skin. I showed it to my friend who said it could be nothing but then I heard something about skin black patches might be more serious like melanoma or something scary?? I went to my doctor last week, and they just said to monitor it. I don’t even know how to watch a skin black patch, like what am I looking for? Do I just wait for changes? Should I try to get a second opinion or do like a biopsy or whatever that is? I really don’t want to just ignore it because it feels like it could be a big deal. Anyone here had something similar with a skin black patch? What did you guys do???? I just really want to make sure I’m being careful.

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Doctors’ responses

When dealing with a skin black patch, especially one that’s growing, having irregular borders, and is significantly darker than your usual skin tone, it’s important not to disregard these changes. These can indeed be signs of something more serious, like melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer. The fact that it’s getting bigger and has irregular edges suggests that it would be prudent to pursue a more detailed evaluation. Since your doctor initially recommended monitor, it’s likely they considered it a possible watch-and-wait scenario, but you should ideally do more than just look out for obvious changes. Observing its size, shape, and color regularly — ideally, every couple of weeks — and recording these details, perhaps with photos, can be very helpful. Some warning signs to be mindful of include bleeding, itching, or the development of different textures. It might be wise to seek a second opinion from a dermatologist, who specializes in skin conditions and can assess the patch more thoroughly. They might suggest a dermatoscopic examination or a skin biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of the skin tissue to examine it more clinically. Biopsy is a definitive way to rule out or confirm serious conditions like melanoma. It’s crucial not to delay if the patch continues to change or if you notice any new concerning symptoms. Doing so could mean catching a serious condition early when it’s most treatable. Importantly, follow through with medical advice promptly rather than waiting for further changes since proactive management could significantly impact outcomes favorably.

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