Suggest Ways To Rule Out Skin Cancer

Posted on Fri, 18 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 Answered on

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi doc i think i got bitten and ripped off a scab. And at the moment the skin hasnt recovered. Can you examine pleas.Could of been a bite but i peeled off the scab that is the appearance after two weeks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Use a topical antibacterial ointment

Detailed Answer:
hello. thank you for writing to us.

I am Dr. Kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have viewed the images.

The skin lesion has almost healed. There is complete re-epithelialization. Though there is some residual hypopigmentation but that should resolve with time. You may use a topical antibacterial ointment e.g T Bact Ointment (2% mupirocin), twice daily.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)

Due to my anxiety, I thought it was a possible skin cancer can you tell the difference?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not skin cancer

Detailed Answer:
hello.

There are 3 main types of skin cancer - melanoma and non melanoma skin cancer(NMSC) i.e squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. This is certainly not a melanoma because a melanoma is dark/ pigmented. Out of the NMSC, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is more common in the head and neck region and classically has rolled borders and telangiectasias. Whereas squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) usually arises on a background of sun damaged skin which has featues such dyspigmentation, freckles, lentigines, wrinkles etc and moreover SCC is more common in whites than in Asians. So bearing these points in mind I am certain that this is not a skin cancer.

regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 minutes later)

Thanks Dr kakkar

Just one final image for you to view. Can you go into what the round circle in the middle is is this where i potentially may have been bitten?

And looking at the new image there is nothing to worry about?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Use a topical antibacterial ointment

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes. The center of this is the likely site of bite.

I suggest you to apply the topical antibiotic ointment for a few days and then follow up after 2 weeks if there is any concern. Right now it looks in the process of healing.

Regards

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