Hi everyone. Hoping someone can offer some advice on a mark I have found on my shin just above my ankle. I first noticed it less than a week ago, just before the weekend as about the size of a pin head, very red so it stood out. No lump, no itching, not hot - just a tiny very red mark. But over the past few days it is increasing in size - it is now about 1/2 cm in diameter. It's not sunburn and doesn't look like a bruise and is not sore or tender to touch. In fact if I couldn't see it, I wouldn't know it was there.
I am on hydroxycarbamide and have recently (past 4 months) increased the dosage from 500/1000 alternate days to 1000 weekdays and 500 weekends (so only 2 tabs extra per week). I am also on aspirin and am noticing a lot of bruising recently. I am due my next Haematology appointment in 3 weeks time.
I apprecitate I need to get this looked at but I am away on holiday this week and when I return home its a bank holiday weekend. I cannot imagine my GP is going to be consider this urgent enough to see me immediately on my return. My Haematology nurse only works part time and I think I've probably missed her this week.
I'm not sure how worried I should be. I know Hydroxy can cause ulcers but I have never had one and this mark is not open or oozing anything, but I guess it could be the start of one? I don't have any other health issues apart from PV, recently had my blood sugar checked (all good) and I am active, not overweight and only in my mid 50's - so seems odd and is worrying me a bit.
Does anyone have any advice or have suffered anything similar?
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Anything on the skin that's changing in size or in any other way should be checked I think. I imagine your GP or at least a nurse will be willing to look at it. Although we can't advise you, I can tell you that everything time I've had any issue with skin I've been advised to moisturise thoroughly. Good luck.
Hi. Thank you. Yes I am sure I can get it checked but just not now while I am away on holiday. With the bank holiday when I return home I don't think they will see it as a priority but its frightening me a bit. Yes, I will certainly moisturise - thank you.
I don't think you can know that it won't be seen as a priority. It's a skin issue which is showing changes. That's exactly the kind of thing which doctors usually recognise as a priority. Enjoy your holiday and try to forget about it for now but please try to see the doctor when you get home. I used to get all kinds of strange marks on my skin and they all turned out to be trivial.
Hi. Thank you for your reassurance. Its helpful to know others have experienced worrying marks on their skin. I will definitely be following up on it when I get home.
Since you are on HU, any persistent change in the skin should be assessed. You are correct that skin ulcerations are one of the serious adverse effects that need to be monitored for when on HU. This could be the start of an ulceration or something else entirely.
It does not sound like this is an emergency situation; rather, something that should be followed up on promptly. It can likely wait until you return from holiday. I would take a picture of this skin issue so that you can document any progression. I would also send the picture to my MPN care team (email or patient portal). You care team can assess where it is at now and whether it is something that can wait until your appointment in 3 weeks.
Hi. Thank you for your advice. It is very much appreciated. I have emailed the Haematology nurse with some photos so hopefully will hear back from her by the time I get back from holiday. Fingers crossed its not an ulcer.
Hi there. If it’s bothering you and spoiling the enjoyment of your holiday you could always pop into your local urgent care centre - on your return or if you’re in the U.K. currently - and get it checked out. You should be able to see waiting times online. If nothing else it will put your mind at rest. All the best.
Hi thank you. If it gets worse I may have to but there are no urgent care centres close by and waiting times are long. I dont want to spoil a day of the familys holiday unless I really need to
Thank you. I've managed to finally get through and submit an e-consult this morning to my GP but its unlikely they will respond until next week. I've also emailed my haematology nurse but nothing back yet. I was wondering if Ishould be stopping the hydroxy but I haven't yet and won't until I am advised to. I take a lower dose at weekends so if I can get to the weekend without it worsening hopefully that might help.
Definitely needs to be checked. Hydrox increases your risk for skin cancer. Especially non melanoma type like SCC. It maybe nothing but in my experience in dermatology most things caught early are very treatable. However when people wait it can be much harder. I just suggest when you get back get it looked at. And being on Hydrox you should be seeing dermatologist every 6mos, minimum once a year. Hope this helps.
I see a dermatologist every 6 months after being diagnosed with basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers cause no pain at all, so people don’t get them checked out early. Always look for any skin changes and have them checked out!
Thank you. I am planning on having it checked - just can't do whilst on holiday. I was worried if its an ulcer I may need immediate action. It would be great to see a dermatologist regularly for peace of mind, but unfortunately it doesn't work like that here. You need to have an issue or a concern, be seen by a GP and then they would refer you to dermatology.
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