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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #15374
45 days ago
83

skin black patches - #15374

Aryan

I am really confused about these skin black patches that have popped up on my arm over the last few weeks. At first, I thought it was nothing, just some dry skin or something, but like, they keep getting bigger and darker. I’ve tried moisturizing, but that hasn’t help at all. Just yesterday, I showed it to my friend and she was like, "that’s not normal!" Now I'm kinda freaked out. When I look up skin black patches online, it says stuff about hyperpigmentation or maybe even something serious like melanoma. I had a mole on my back that I thought was fine, but now I'm worried it could be linked somehow. I’m also getting some itchy spots near the patches and it’s driving me nuts! I know I should probably see a dermatologist, but I’m just not sure if these skin black patches are serious enough to warrant an appointment right away or if I should wait and see if they change again. Has anyone else had similar skin black patches pop up? What did you do? Did they go away or get worse?

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Doctors’ responses

When you notice new or changing black patches on your skin, it’s always wise to consider a prompt evaluation, especially if they’re growing, getting darker, or causing discomfort. These changes can indeed be due to various factors, either benign or serious. Hyperpigmentation is quite common and often benign, possibly resulting from post-inflammatory changes or sun exposure. Yet, given they are enlarging and you’re also experiencing itching, this merits closer inspection.

Another concern could be conditions like seborrheic keratosis, which are generally benign but should be evaluated if changing. However, your mention of a past mole and the appearance of new patches could align with more serious conditions such as melanoma. Traits like asymmetry, irregular borders, varied colors, diameter over 6mm, and evolving nature are considered red flags, often referred to as the ABCDEs of melanoma. Having a dermatologist assess these characteristics in person is crucial.

In terms of handling this until you get a professional evaluation, avoid any irritation to the area like excessive scratching. Moisturizing is good for general skin health but won’t resolve underlying causes if rooted in something systemic or pathological. Definitely time to book an appointment with a dermatologist; it’s better to err on the side of caution with skin changes, particularly if a type of skin cancer is a possibility. This way, if there’s any serious underlying problem, you can address it promptly. If the patches spread quickly or you experience other symptoms like fever, unusual bleeding, or significant pain, seek medical help at once.

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