Urgent dermatology referral

Hi everyone. 
since Christmas I had this mark appear on my neck. At first thought was a spot but then just noticed that it wasn't going. I tried the usual antiseptic creams and antihistamine as was slightly itchy. Anyway this didn't work so I went to my GP and he thought it looked like a bite. In December! He gave me fucibed which is meant to b a good cream with an antibiotic in it. Still nothing. After a week hadn't changed whatsoever so went back. Long and short of it; is that GP asked me to send photos in to upload and then was told I was referred for 2ww. 
 

I did go and see a dermatologist where I work; who said basically it either looks like an infected cyst OR nasal cell carcinoma! As u do u fear the worse don't u. He gave me 2 wks of oral antibiotics and still nothing. I've now had professional photos taken by derm and just waiting for a call back. 

Im just worried because nothing has made a scrap of difference :( thing is; I've read on the forum about moles. This isn't a mole as such. It's more a skin lesion. It's inflamed and very itchy. I also have neck ache and along the jaw line. Whether this is stress I don't know but it's the same side as lesion! I did have a little bit of clear fluid weep about a week ago but nothing since. I can't help think that since Xmas I've had this and nothing has helped. I would have thought if was more a cyst something would have helped :(

It's the itchiness that I'm worried about and because my neck is aching I'm fearing it could be something bad. 

  • Hi Lisa

    It's quite natural to worry and when possibility of cancer is mentioned the mind can run riot.

    Break up the path to having your problem resolved into short segments and deal with only one of these at a time.

    1 the wait for the referral, waiting is possibly the worst bit.

    2 the appointment at dermatology. Ask lots of questions. Write things down if allowed take a friend or SOH with you to do this. Otherwise you will forget some questions and possibly most of the answers.

    3 Best case scenario, it is a cyst which they may remove.

    If they think it is a BCC or other lesion you may have a biopsy either then or next appointment.

    4 The wait - see 1 - for results - 3 to 4 weeks.

    5 The diagnosis.

    6 If it is a BCC you will get an appointment to have it removed under local anaesthetic. 8 to 10 weeks. These are very slow growing so dont worry about the time wait.

    7 Problem will be 100% resolved then a quick recovery.

    Meanwhile read up on looking after your skin and protecting your skin from Ultra Violet radiation from sun light to prevent any further damage.

    Best wishes

     

     

  • Can cysts last this long though. I would have thought the antibiotic would have at least helped in some way. 
     

    thank you for your advice. I will try and just deal with each step. I'm glad u said as I did kind of expect to go and see consultant to have it removed. It's just hard as I've already had it since Christmas :(

     

    thanks again x

  • Hi Lisa

    You can have cysts for years without any problem unless they get infected, a course of antibiotics will cure the infection but not get rid of the cyst.

  • Oh ok. That makes sense now. The derm consultant said looked that way but could also possibly b BCC. Just need to sit and wait and try stay positive. Thanks again x