Its Just A Pimple

Davey Jones

Davey Jones

Well-known Member
Location
Florida
Its was just a small pimple I noticed on my right arm,it got itchy after a while. I kinda ignored it figuring its just a blackhead and Ill squeeze it out later when its gets bigger.
It did get bigger after 2 months then it started getting itchy.
Went to the doc to get my flu shot and he noticed that large pimple,suggested I got see a dermatologist.
She says "that looks like a squamous cell carcinoma and I need to scrap off the head to send it out for tests".
A needle to numb that spot "OUCH" and a razor type thingy to take off the pimple head.
"Squamous "? I thought it was a name of an Indian tribe.
She says "Its a major type of cancer and we'll get the results back in 2 weeks,you may have to have surgery as those type of cells are in deep".
She asked where I was from (Boston) and how long I lived in Florida (15 years)
she says "well that's the answer to why most seniors get these types of skin cancer."
"you do use suntan lotion,don't you?"....."Who me.Im 77 for cripes sake,don't need it."
 

Hopefully it's not cancer Davey, too bad you have to wait so long for the results. :rolleyes: I've heard the stuff in sunscreen can cause cancer too, the chemicals they use, go figure. I try not to use it either, but I don't bake myself out in the sun like I did when I was younger, live and learn.
 
What a coincidence. I just this week had a squamous cell cancer cut out of my right fore arm that started out as a itchy scrabby sore. I have had lots of basal cell cancers removed from my neck, nose, forehead and ears. Ah well, my mis spent youth on those sunny Florida beaches with out sunscreen.
 

Don't worry too much about it Davey. Just get it dealt with and keep going back for regular checkups.
The really bad skin cancers are the melanomas. You need to get onto them fast.

Skin cancers are very common in Australia among the fair skinned population.
If you go to the doctor regularly most can be frozen off or treated with a powerful cream.
If left too long you may need the services of a plastic surgeon and possibly skin grafts.
 
My dermo Doc wants to see me every 6 months. When I'm there he "freezes" any suspicious things he sees.

I call him a sadist because those treatments burn/hurt like the dickens for an hour or two. After a couple of weeks, they scab and eventually fall off. Can't wait for my next appt. NOT !
 
Falcon said:
My dermo Doc wants to see me every 6 months. When I'm there he "freezes" any suspicious things he sees.

I call him a sadist because those treatments burn/hurt like the dickens for an hour or two. After a couple of weeks, they scab and eventually fall off. Can't wait for my next appt. NOT !
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Have you thought of taking an extra strength Tylenol about an hour before he does it? Maybe that would help with the pain.
 
I have regular skin cancer checks - every twelve months now. I've recently had 6 biopsies taken from various parts of my body. All contained pre-cancerous cells, so am using some Efudix cream which burns them off over about a month of application - doesn't look pretty while it's happening, but tends not to leave any scars. Prior to this, I have had several squamous cell carcinomas cut out - face, arms and legs.
 
Hope it turns out that you don't have to have any further surgeries, and glad you got it treated. I'm 77 too, and it's a miracle I haven't had any so far - did that suntan/sunburn thing as a teen, and since I love to swim, have been swimming out of doors in the sunshine every summer since I was about 7, not crazy about using suntan lotion. My problem is lots of moles and freckles which keep checking out as harmless, insurance won't cover their removal, and I'm stuck with them.
 
I had one once. It was on my temple. Had it cut off but was no big deal. They can be serious if not tended to. I go see a dermatologist once a year as I have fair skin and didn't use much sunscreen when I was young.
 
There was no sunscreen when I was a kid; just zinc cream across my nose and cheeks.
It acted as a sand magnet. Yuk!
 

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