Concerns Regarding Potential Melanoma
I am nearly 18 years old and generally in good health, but I occasionally experience severe stomach problems that result in dizziness and sometimes lead to fainting. While completing my internship as a laboratory technician focusing on cell culture, I noticed the development of a mole on my wrist about halfway through my time there. Shortly after, two smaller moles appeared near the original one. I’m deeply worried that I may have been exposed to a carcinogenic material during my internship. If anyone has advice or similar experiences, please weigh in in the comments. Thank you for your support!
Answers (1)
9/14/2025, 2:20:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about any changes to your skin, especially given your internship surroundings and health issues. Here are the critical points for your situation:
-
Moles and Potential Risk: The appearance of new moles, especially if they change in color, shape, or size, can be concerning. However, not all new moles indicate melanoma or skin cancer.
-
Dizziness and Fainting: Your severe stomach problems that lead to dizziness and fainting are important to address separately, as these symptoms could relate to various health issues and need attention.
Explanation:
Moles can develop for many reasons, including genetics and environmental exposure, but monitoring their characteristics is crucial. Melanoma often presents as an irregularly shaped mole or changes in pre-existing moles.
Your concerns about exposure to carcinogenic materials are valid, but the connection between lab work and skin changes isn't always direct. It's important to focus on the evidence-based monitoring and self-care steps for both the moles and your dizziness.
Next Steps:
-
Mole Monitoring:
- Keep an eye on your moles: Note any changes in size, shape, color, or elevation. Use the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving. If any of these are concerning, it's a red flag.
- Photograph the moles: Take regular pictures to track any changes over time.
-
Dizziness and Stomach Issues:
- Assess your diet and hydration: Ensure you’re drinking enough fluids and eating balanced meals. Sometimes, dehydration or food intolerances can lead to gastrointestinal issues that cause dizziness.
- Track your symptoms: Keep a diary of your stomach problems, noting when they happen, what you eat before, and any accompanying symptoms like dizziness. This can help in identifying triggers.
-
Take Action:
- Reach out to a healthcare professional if your moles change or if the dizziness and fainting episodes persist or worsen. Documented evidence can help them understand your situation better.
- Discuss your internship work and any exposure concerns with a teacher or supervisor, as they may provide insights or precautionary measures.
It's great that you're proactive about your health. Keeping a close watch on your symptoms and discussing them with a healthcare provider will help ensure you receive the appropriate care. Remember, it's best to address your concerns step by step.
Related Questions
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.