Hi Esme,  I was on holiday in South Africa and also got sunburnt.  I developed this really sore lesion thing on my right leg just above my knee.  When I came back to UK and eventually got an appointment they did a biopsy.  Luckily it wasnt cancer and it did go away.  Hoping you will have the same outcome.  Try and enjoy the rest of your holiday.  Lee x

Hi Esme,

I can understand your panic, especially being so far away from home. However, try not to think worse case scenario. Firstly, a new lesion/mole that turns into melanoma doesn't usually happen overnight, even a nodular melanoma (it appears & then usually changes quickly over weeks & months, not a few days). If the mole/lesion wasn't there before, there are other skin conditions it could possibly be, especially if the skin has been badly sun damaged. Have you been bitten by anything? When I was in NZ I was bitten and it left behind a hard lump - turns out it was a dermatofibroma which is totally benign. My dermatologist found 2 others on my legs - these occur mainly on the legs where insects/mossies etc are attracted. 

I encourage you NOT to look at Google - the information is old & it focuses on worse case scenarios so it just heightens anxiety. Try to distract yourself until Tuesday & then the dermatologist will have a clearer picture. Meanwhile, take advice about sun safety, especially in New Zealand. Burning may have caused the lesion but it's very doubtful it would cause melanoma in a matter of days. Most melanoma caused by UV damage happens after a few years, that's why it's especially important that children & young people take care in the sun. My burnt shin (where I had a mole from birth) caused my melanoma 10 years later.

Good luck on Tuesday & please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

I had a very nasty looking nodule pop up just above my ankle during November this year. It appeared almost overnight. It was burgundy with very small white patches, symmetrical and very hard. It was raised and around the size of a pencil eraser. The doctor was concerned with how hard it was. She muttered something about how some moles don't adhere to the A, B, C, D system. I went home and did what any good citizen would do, googled it and freaked out. It looked every bit the NM. Over the two week wait, it began to change a little and turned more into a raised scab. I genuinely had myself half buried.

I went into the dermatologist dept more expecting bad news than not. It turned out to be a burst blood vessel that had broken through the skin. She was able to tell straight away what it was. She used the dermascope to just double check and confirmed it was indeed a burst blood vessel. It just recently fell off in the bath. So yeah, about Google.

I'm always telling folk to stay off google yet did it myself. So not gonna be a hypocrite this time out.

Hi Angie

That is such a kind and comforting response, thank you. 

I definitely could have been bitten, I've been out in the bush where it's sandfly heaven (although usually they itch like crazy and this lesion I'm worried about doesn't). But thank you for giving me a less worst-case scenario perspective, that is really supportive and just what I need right now to try and challenge the panic.

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis and wish you all the best.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Your post has given me a brief respite from the panic which is super appreciated. 

It's funny how everyone is so aware of the pitfalls of Google, yet we still continue to do it!

My partner has stage 4 melanoma and after 2 years of treatment appears to be in remission so even if it comes to the worst case scenario there's hope x