black dot in skin - #20756
I am kinda freaking out because I've noticed this black dot in my skin for a few weeks now. At first, I thought it was just a weird freckle or maybe a piece of dirt that wouldn't come off, but it hasn't changed or gone away. I mean, it’s not raised or anything, just flat and about the size of a pinhead. I remember the day I saw it; I was looking in the mirror while putting on some makeup, and I just spotted this black dot in my skin on my upper arm. At first, I brushed it off but then I started to panic because my mom had some skin issues in the past. I really don't want to jump to conclusions but what could this black dot in skin really be? Is it something serious like a mole or maybe a sign of skin cancer or just a harmless thing? I tried looking it up online, but it's hard to find anything that sounds right—there are too many possibilities!! A few friends said they had similar experiences and it turned out to be nothing, but still… I want to make sure. Should I be going to a dermatologist for the black dot in skin, or is it better to wait and see if it changes? I have an appointment next week because of some other stuff, but should I mention it anyway? Just feeling a bit lost here. Anyone else had a similar black dot in skin issue?
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Doctors' responses
Noticing a black dot on your skin can understandably cause some concern, especially with your family history of skin issues. While it’s possible that this could be an innocuous freckle, a mole, or even a harmless case of hyperpigmentation, there’s always the small possibility that it could be something more significant, like a form of skin lesion. Skin cancers, like melanoma, can sometimes appear as small dark spots, but they usually have certain characteristics you can watch for, collectively remembered by the ABCDEs of melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variations, Diameter greater than 6mm, and Evolution over time. Since your dot is small, flat, and hasn’t changed so far, it doesn’t immediately sound like it fits those criteria, which is somewhat reassuring. However, given your concern and family history, it’s wise not to ignore it. You mentioned you already have an appointment scheduled, so definitely bring it up during that visit. A dermatologist can make a more accurate assessment, perhaps using a dermatoscope, which helps view underlying patterns not visible to the naked eye. Also, they may suggest monitoring it for changes over time or remove it if they feel it’s warranted. There’s no need to panic, but pursuing professional guidance is the best course of action. In the meantime, keep an eye on it for any changes in size, shape, or color, and protect it from excessive sun exposure by using sunscreen, as UV light can exacerbate some types of skin conditions.
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