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I have been dumb

Forums Cutaneous Melanoma Community I have been dumb

  • Post
    Girlfromohio
    Participant

      So I have condition where I pick incessantly at my skin. Imperfections that I see, I pick at. I am now realizing how dumb I have been because a lot of the things I pick at are moles/freckles. I have probably picked off 15-20 in the last few years. Nothing ever grows back and the moles never return. But now I have been reading more and more about melanoma and I am FREAKED OUT. What if one or all of these were melanoma I picked off?? What now?? Should I go to a dermatologist and try to remember all the places they were? Can they biopsy skin that doesn't have a mole left to biopsy? How do I live in a constant state of oh my gosh I could have stage iii or iv melanoma at any time because I was so dumb. 

      I know now… no more picking and get treatment for my skin picking obsession. But what else should I do about the damage I've done?? 

      Thanks in advance.

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    • Replies
        Janner
        Participant

          Move on.  If they had been melanoma, they would have continued to grow in the same area.  There is no way you could have "picked" deep enough to remove everything.  Just leave things alone for future.  If anything evolves or changes NOT as a result of your picking, see a derm.

          upsidedown16
          Participant

            Seriously, I agree with the above….. move on. 

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