Worried about melanoma

Hello, 

my son is 16 and has a bump on the skin on his forearm. I first noticed it over a year ago. We think it may have started as a bite or an inflamed keratosis Polaris but can't be sure. 
initially it was a firm nodule about 3mm and was skin coloured with a slightly darker ring 
As it didn't go away, I took him to the GP in January. She said it might be a mole and to just keep an eye on it. 
Last weekend I noticed it has turned pink and seems more raised. It blanches when I put pressure on it. My son hadn't noticed the change. 
I had a telephone consultation with another GP who asked for photos. She said it looks like a dermatofibroma and has sent the photos to dermatology. 
I've looked up dermatofibroma and it does look like that but it doesn't dimple when pinched like a dermatofibroma should. 
I'm just so worried as my mum had melanoma many years ago and passed away from lung cancer and I have  suffered with health anxiety ever since. 
I really don't want to pass on my anxiety to my son so am trying to not keep looking at and touching it. 
im just so worried it could be a melanoma. 
Thank you for reading. 
Sara

  • Hello Sara and thanks for your post

    Most of the time, skin lesions or moles are nothing to worry about. But it sounds as if your son’s GP has taken his symptoms seriously as they have forwarded the pictures you took to be reviewed by a dermatologist. A dermatologist is an expert in skin conditions and if they were concerned in any way, they would get in touch.

    We always encourage people to go back and discuss symptoms with their GP, especially if they are persisting or getting worse and see what their advice is.

    Kind regards,

    Celene