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What Causes A Dry Reddish Scab On The Lower Leg?

Posted on Tue, 14 Feb 2017

Question: I have 5 solar lentigos on my legs. I've had them a long time. Two days ago there was a dried bloody scab on one of them on my lower right leg. after a shower the scab was gone and there hasn't been any more bleeding. It wasn't bleeding a lot just some dried blood on the spot. Is this melanoma? Or is this probably nothing. Our dermatologist just retured, and of course I am extremely upset.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please send a photo of the dried bloody scab to me...

Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,

I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.

Before telling if it is melanoma or not, I need to have a look at the affected skin.
Can you please send a photo of the dried bloody scab to me so I can evaluate it myself?

Thank you!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (43 minutes later)

I took a picture of one of the other ones so you can see what they look like. The one with the dried blood came off immediately when the shower water hit it. I looked at my legs in the morning and they were fine. 4 hrs. later when changing clothes I noticed the dreed blood. They are perfectly flat, beige, and if you scratch it it turns white like dry skin, but you can't scratch them off and I don't try.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (38 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hyperpigmentation spots advice as following...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Sorry for the late reply due to my XXXXXXX clinical overload this weekend.
I was going through the photos you sent in and noted the spots you refer to as hyperpigmentation spots and not similar to melanoma.

I highly recommend not to scratch them and not to make them bleeding.
Avoid direct exposure to sunlight. Always apply sunscreen cream every time you get exposed to sunlight.

If you will notice any unusual change like increase in size, appearance or will bleed without being scratching, then should follow up with dermatologist and run skin biopsy and dermatoscopy to rule out melanoma.

For the moment, they seem hyperpigmentation spots.

Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (3 hours later)

I didn't scratch or touch it in the morning it was fine about 4hrs later I saw dried blood. it is now a crimson red under the skin.I looked with a magnifying glass and can't see any break in the skin or cut etc.it's perfectly smooth, perfectly flat. they aren't raised at all they are flat like a freckle is flat so there is nothing to actually loosen up or scratch off.but I didn't bump scratch or touch it I was fine when I got dressed

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed below...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back

I am so sorry for the late reply. It's flu epidemic here.

Now, I was going through the photos you sent me again and they look like hyperpigmentation spots and the one I saw at the second picture was like a bloody nevus.

However, biopsy can help with final diagnosis. If it will continue bleeding even after a minor trauma/touching, then should run dermatoscopy and biopsy and consult with dermatologist further.

Hope this helps.
Dr.Albana

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar