HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Child Has A Small Raised Mole At The Back Of Neck. Has Picked It Until It Forms A Scab. Should I Be Concerned?

Posted on Wed, 26 Jun 2013

Question: My 9 year old daughter has a small mole on the back of her neck, light and raised. Well she's a picker, and I noticed twice know she has actually picked it until it forms a scab. Should I be concerned?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (4 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Yes you should be concerned.
Repeated picking can irritate it and although rare, but can lead to malignant change.(cancer)
Try to deviate her mind and prevent her from picking on it.
you can apply some moisturizer on the lesion thrice a day.

Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (28 minutes later)

Ok thank you. So picking it itself can make it malignant?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (10 minutes later)

Hello,
Thanks follow up.
Constant irritation is one of the factor for malignant change.
So although rare but there can be a risk of malignancy, on constant picking.

Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (3 minutes later)

Ok thank you! Should we be worried about this now? Should it be removed? I don't think our ped would recommend it now.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (1 hour later)

Hello,
Thanks for the follow up.
Please dont worry much, Its not a severe condition.
Also the chance of malignancy is very low.
As a doctor I must make you aware of everything, hence I mentioned about malignancy.
There is no need to remove it now.
Just ask her not to pick and apply some moisturizer.
Thank you

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar