First dermatologist appointment

• First dermatologist appointment by Antimidas on 25 Aug, 2009 13:34
• Well, I was supposed to have an appointment with a dermatologist today, but due to some mix-up at the clinic they scheduled me with a general practitioner instead.  I have a red splotch on the back of my head that is about 4 inches square with irregular edges.  I first noticed it when I started shaving my head four weeks ago yesterday.  It is not a birthmark because I would have noticed that 20 years ago in the military.
  
  The doctor seemed concerned and stated that he did not know what it was and had never seen anything like it.  It is not raised like a growth or irregular in color.  It is pretty evenly red.  It is not dry or itchy.  The color is the only symptom.  He was concerned enough that he wanted to schedule me for a dermatologist as soon as possible, so I go on September 15th.  He told me to expect them to biopsy it though he does not think it is cancerous.
  
  Wish me luck!  We will see how much sleep I lose until then.
• #1 by D.A.L.U.I. on 25 Aug, 2009 13:49
• First step, take a deep breath, relax.  As a veteran of eight skin cancers and nearly constant contact w/ skin doctors since I entered puberty, it's really not anything to get yourself worked up about.  There are many other things this could be since it doesn't sound like any of the symptoms are there--sudden change, weeping, raised edges, etc.  Probably a run of the mill contact dermatitis, or something like that. 
  
  Don't beat yourself up about this.
  
• #2 by Antimidas on 25 Aug, 2009 13:52
• Trying not to.  Just a little off-putting when the doctor says he has no clue what it is but that I should see a dermatologist right away.  I will forget about it in due time.  There are much bigger things to worry about in the world.  Just figured I would purge it here amongst people who would more likely understand.  Pass the buck and clear my mind, so to speak.   
• #3 by D.A.L.U.I. on 25 Aug, 2009 14:08
• Quote from: Antimidas on 25 Aug, 2009 13:52

  Pass the buck and clear my mind, so to speak.   
  

  
  Anytime
• #4 by GaryT on 25 Aug, 2009 14:11
• Consider the buck passed and the mind cleared!! 
• #5 by jamesh75 on 25 Aug, 2009 14:43
• Please keep me posted on what the dermatologist says.  I have a red spot on the back of my head about the size of a half dollar that's shaped a little bit like the state of Missouri.  I never noticed it until I started buzzing my hair to a 1 several months ago.  Now that I'm completely sly, it's much more noticeable.  I just thought it was a birthmark, but now you have me wondering if it is something else.  I guess I'll have to call my mom tonight and see if I was born with it.  She's never said anything about it.
• #6 by Antimidas on 25 Aug, 2009 15:15
• Didn't mean to scare you there James.  Everyone at work thought mine was a birthmark, but mom said I did not have one there and it was not there when my head was shaved in basic training.  I do know several people with a similar birthmark to what you describe.  It is often referred to as a stork bite.  Mine looks more like a flock of them were fighting over me.  I learn new things all of the time. 
  
  I will grab a picture of it later when I get home and post it so I can get input.  Just sorta hard taking a picture of the back of my head.  My arms don't like to bend that far back.
• #7 by warhawk on 25 Aug, 2009 15:45
• hey marty:  hope all will B well on your september appointment.
  
  WARHAWK
• #8 by Antimidas on 25 Aug, 2009 15:48
• Thanks Warhawk and everybody else.
• #9 by SBG Math Guy on 25 Aug, 2009 17:10
• Good luck bro
• #10 by herronm on 25 Aug, 2009 17:57
• It can be serious, but most cases are not.  AKs can be frozen off...no big deal.  Some may require a bi-opsy and there is always stress associated with the wait on results. 
  
  There is also a chemo therapy cream that can be used, be sure to ask about that.  I have a thread from a couple of years ago that captured my experience.
  
  Get these things looked at and taken care of.
  
  Max
• #11 by Antimidas on 25 Aug, 2009 18:30
• Hard to see in the photos because the lighting is not the best, but I put ageneral outline around the area in one of the photos.  it is much easier to see in sunlight or florescent light.
  
   
• #12 by Duffman on 25 Aug, 2009 19:41
• Hey Marty, we are all on your side.  This, I think, is a band of brothers on SBG, and we're behind you 100%.  I think it's probably ok, but at least you're getting it checked out.  C-ya!