Wart, mole or something else?!

[Gemini]

I have something above my right knee. I have had it a long time. I first noticed in when DD3 was small, so it must be 25 years. I have never been sure what it was, and have been careful to cover it with very high sunblock when on holiday. The rest of the time my knees do not see the light of day! I always wear trousers, or longer skirts, never short skirts or shorts, so to have a skin cancer there would be so unlucky.
However I do feel it has got slightly darker, so I am going to have it checked by a doctor on Friday. It was flesh coloured and I think it has changed. A sign we should have things checked.
It doesn't itch, isn't sore, doesn't bleed. Unless I see if I forget it is there.
It could possibly be a common wart, whose description sounds a bit like this.
There is something similar at the back of the same knee, which I discovered by chance when applying body lotion. This makes me think it is not a mole. I have no other moles.
I hope the Dr will say it is something simple. If not at least I will be moved along and get treatment.

[Plantaholic]

Usually these wart like growths are nothing to worry about but best to get it checked Gemini.

[Oma]

I have one behind my knee too , I had a huge Brown Mole about the size of a 10p on the very top of my thigh from being very young in fact I can never remember not having it ,
Some years ago my Dr said to have it removed just in case so I did they took it out like a cone and I had two stitches , nothing wrong with it though when test results came back
I suppose its better off than on
Always best to have it checked even if its just to put your mind at rest xxxx

[Nanto2girls]

Gem, it's a good idea to have it checked out.
Ii might be nothing,but always best to make sure.

[Clover]

Best to have it checked Gem.Well done for making an appointment x

[Gemini]

Thank you everyone.

An appointment for this afternoon came up, so as I was free I took that and cancelled Friday's as that wasn't ideal anyway with GS being here and OH playing golf this Friday.
It was very lucky that I made that appointment. A because it got it over with sooner, and B the Dr I saw actually has skin conditions as her speciality, which I had no idea of. I had never met her before.

Nothing to worry about I am pleased to report!
It is not a wart, but it is something harmless and age related, and the one behind my knee is the same. I can't remember what she said they were unfortunately. She photographed them and showed me them blown up on her phone. She has some sort of special device on her camera for skin things. I am much relieved, as you can imagine.
No treatment needed. She said they can be removed privately if they bother a patient but have tendency to come back. It doesn't bother me, so I am happy to leave it. She put the photo on my notes so if I feel any need to have it checked in future, they can compare.
A good result

[Oma]

Good to hear Gem at leastyou can relax now 😀

[Clover]

Good news Gem.A weight off your mind.

[Gemini]

Thanks ladies. I have been quietly worried about this for some time, so it's good to have got it checked.

[Daisy]

Good news, Gem, but always best to get things like that checked. Was it Seborrheic Keratosis?

You did exactly the right thing. I don't want to scaremonger, but a friend of mine had a mole for years and years. But then she thought it had grown just a little bit and was a bit darker. The GP said it was ok. But she was still worried and went back this time seeing the 'skin' doctor in the practice. He thought it was ok, but referred her to the consultant just to be on the safe side. The consultant wasn't sure and asked if she'd mind if he got a second opinion. The second consultant wasn't sure either, but they decided to remove it. The first time they didn't removed enough tissue, and it was a melanoma. So they operated again removing more tissue and one lymph node in her groin. She still has 3 monthly checks (several years now) and everything comes back clear. In case you're wondering, she was a dedicated sun worshipper and spent a lot of time abroad and out of doors. Needless to say, she keeps covered up now. I'm posting about this to say if in doubt get it checked and if you're still not happy ask for another opinion.

[Nana]

["Good news, Gem, but always best to get things like that checked. Was it Seborrheic Keratosis?"
By Daisy.]

Pleased that you went to the drs & she was on the ball Gem. I wish all drs were like that concerning skin conditions.

I have had issues with my skin & have recently had two SK things (what Daisy says) removed. One was quite thick & the other I caught & the middle came off. I have lots of them, mostly under my boobs, abdomen & back. Mum had them & they can be hereditary. Recently I have two on the side of my face. They're harmless & nothing to worry about.

What's good now is that you can type in your search engine something like 'Seborrheic Keratosis ' (images section) & you'll get lots of pictures to compare with. Always best to seek medical advice tho. Sorry to hear about your friend Daisy.

[Gemini]

Thanks Nana.
I don't think it is that, it certainly doesn't look like the pictures, although I suppose they photograph the worst cases! There is no recommendation to remove them. Benign and harmless, that's all I need to know

[Daisy]

Nana - thank you for your concern about my friend. To be honest, it was very worrying while she was going through it, but several people encouraged her to go back to the doctors and see the 'skin man' who then referred her to the hospital. But when two consultants are also unsure you can see how difficult it can be to diagnose. So her persistence was what saved her from much worse. Eventually she went back to see the first doctor because she wanted to clear the air with her. She (the first doctor) was very apologetic and said she had learned a valuable lesson and if she has the slightest doubt she now refers immediately.

I just think it's so important to feel you can go and ask for a second opinion if you're worried about something.

Gem - I think they generally only remove them if there's a problem with them rubbing on clothing or keep getting damaged.

[Gemini]

Good news, Gem, but always best to get things like that checked. Was it Seborrheic Keratosis?

You did exactly the right thing. I don't want to scaremonger, but a friend of mine had a mole for years and years. But then she thought it had grown just a little bit and was a bit darker. The GP said it was ok. But she was still worried and went back this time seeing the 'skin' doctor in the practice. He thought it was ok, but referred her to the consultant just to be on the safe side. The consultant wasn't sure and asked if she'd mind if he got a second opinion. The second consultant wasn't sure either, but they decided to remove it. The first time they didn't removed enough tissue, and it was a melanoma. So they operated again removing more tissue and one lymph node in her groin. She still has 3 monthly checks (several years now) and everything comes back clear. In case you're wondering, she was a dedicated sun worshipper and spent a lot of time abroad and out of doors. Needless to say, she keeps covered up now. I'm posting about this to say if in doubt get it checked and if you're still not happy ask for another opinion.

You are right Daisy. I delayed and it turned out OK for me, but I was lucky that it was harmless condition.
I didn't know that, and it has bothered me for a few months, so I shoudl have had it seen sooner. I decided to wait until my annual check at the breast clinic before I dealt with this though!

[Plantaholic]

Good job you saw the right doctor the first time Gemini, pleased that it is nothing to need treatment.