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big black spots on skin
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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #15242
46 days ago
69

big black spots on skin - #15242

Tanmay

I am dealing with these big black spots on skin, and honestly, it’s been freaking me out. Like a month ago, I noticed one on my left arm and thought maybe it was just a weird bruise or something. But then another one popped up on my leg, and now I have like five or six scattered around! They don’t hurt or itch at all, but seeing them in the mirror makes me anxious. I thought maybe it was a sun thing since I spend too much time outside, playing with my kids. I even tried using sunscreen but didn't really think about it until recently. My friend said she's seen similar big black spots on skin before and got it checked out, only to find out it was something not serious. I haven’t even gone to the doc yet, but I'm worried they could be a sign of something wrong. Has anyone else experienced these big black spots on skin and how can I figure out if I should be more concerned? Like, should I try to get an appointment soon or just wait it out? Anyone have tips or shared experiences?

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Doctors’ responses

The sudden appearance of big black spots on your skin can indeed be concerning, especially when multiple spots appear in a short period. It’s good that you’re paying attention because skin changes often carry important clues. Many things could cause these spots; they range from benign to more serious conditions. Unlike a bruise, which typically changes color and fades over time, static spots like you describe may point to different issues. A harmless but common cause could be lentigines, which are darkened patches often linked to sun exposure— these are usually harmless but it’s still wise to monitor them.

However, the description of new, dark spots warrants a visit to a dermatologist or your general practitioner. Even though they’re not painful or itchy, seeing a professional can help in identifying whether these spots are lentigines, seborrheic keratoses, or something more like early melanoma. While the likelihoood of something serious might not be high, it’s still important to rule out conditions like melanoma, which does require timely intervention. The dermatologist would likely do a visual examination and may use a dermatoscope to study the spots more closely. If needed, they might perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis…

Until you can get this checked, keeping an eye on the characteristics of these spots is a good idea. Use the ABCDE rule to watch for changes: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter over 6mm, and Evolution over time. Sunscreen is indeed important protect against further damage, so continuing to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily is a good habit. Getting those spots looked at soon would be prudent, don’t wait it out if there’s even a small concern of a serious issue.

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