A small mole was shaved/removed from my arm 3 1/2 months ago. Now the area is very bright red and a little bit raised. One derm said he thought blood was pooling in the area, and this blood would need to be drained. Another derm told me he thinks this is normal recovery for people who are very poor healers. Both said they hadn't seen anything quite like this though. Does anyone know why I have this red lump and what I should do about it?
3 1/2 Months After Mole Removal, a Bright Red Bump Remains. Why? (photo)
Doctor Answers 4
It is a little difficult to assess by the photo. I would advise you see your physician for a follow-up appointment. It may be that it is a hypertrophic scar that may need a cortisone injection.
It is difficult to tell from the picture, but it is possible that you may have developed a hypertrophic scar at the site where the mole was removed. Hypertrophic scars look raised and pink and are more common in areas where there is a good amount of tension on the wound as it heals. There are treatments to improve these types of scars such as intralesional Kenalog (cortisone) injections. I recommend you consult with a board-certified dermatologist who is experienced in dermatologic surgery.
You should see a derm surgeon for your red bump. Often it needs only a little cortisone shot to make it disappear. It has been going on too long to just let it be. Sincerely,
David Hansen,MD
Web reference: http://www.drdavidhansen.com
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It's hard to tell over the internet what is the cause, but sometimes you can develop a thickened or hypertrophic scar after mole removal on the arm. Since you say that the two doctors that you talked to were not too familiar with the problem, you might consider consulting with another dermatologist, one with additional training or experience in skin surgery. There are many excellent dermatologic surgeons or fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons in Los Angeles that can evaluate the problem and help improve or resolve it. If it is a hypertrophic scar, they might consider intralesional steroids, pulsed dye laser and/or silicone gel bandages. If it's something else, they should be able to help as well. Good luck.
Web reference: http://www.dermatology-center.com
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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