SUN damage bpi arms

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
Locked
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

SUN damage bpi arms

Post by Kath »

It's the good old summer time and sun block should be worn all year long but more so in the summer.

I'm a redhead so sun and I just never made friends.
I've been very careful since sunblock first appeared on the shelves. Before sunblock I use to put on long sleeve shirts and light cotton slacks on the beach.
I've been very lucky and careful and this is a first for me.

Two weeks ago I got what I thought was a bad bite. I did not feel it happen.
I felt something on my inner forearm when I examined my arm there was a nasty raised thing... it was ugly, red and ugh.
I can't supinate so I rarely look at the inside of my arm.
It looked like and infected bite, possibly a pimple ... I just could not imagine what it was.
It hurt and then my arm began to hurt. You know those crazy mixed up nerves.
I could touch it but it was odd looking. I called the dermatologist today and they squeezed me in this morning.
Nice of them considering I am not an established patient.
It turns out it is a form of skin cancer called Keratoacanthoma.
The doctor gave me a needle to numb it ( in my bpi arm a first)and took it off to send out for biopsy.
He said it not dangerous but I looked it up and it's from the sun.
I've had many burns on my bpi arm before sunscreen was around and have been super careful all my life.
I know I never had the inside of my right arm out to sunbath.

It is very important to take care not to burn or if you tan not to try and tan your bpi arm.

While the doctor was careful and gentle. My arm feels sore and stings all over as if it's one big wound.
I know it all because of the nerves but it's still annoying.

Be very careful with you bpi arms kids... LOL...
It's not a big deal but a bit of a surprise...
I was not going to go to a doctor for a bite and thought it would go away.
I don't usually have a problem with bug bites they don't like me...LOL...;)
I should have know it was not a bite but something strange... ;)

Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
Top
Judy-T
Posts: 557
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 11:59 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Right arm OBPI One surgery at age 40 Ulnar nerve retransposition
Location: Florida

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by Judy-T »

Wow ! Kath, I am so glad that you went to get it checked.I try to always remember sunscreen. Especially where I live. I usually just turn dark, but I know that I have gotten burned on that arm before and it's not fun. Thanks for the update and I hope everyone listens to your warning. Take care and have another piece of chocolate cake....Judy
Top
User avatar
Tanya in NY
Posts: 935
Joined: Mon May 03, 2004 10:51 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am Mom to Amber, injured at birth. I serve on the Board of Directors for UBPN, and am a labor/delivery nurse, too.
Location: NY State
Contact:
Contact Tanya in NY

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by Tanya in NY »

Oh, wow Kath! I'm so glad you finally went to the doctor to get this looked at! So sorry though about the diagnosis (glad it's benign) and that your arm is feeling worse now than before.

Great information to offer to all, young and not so young though. Thanks so much for sharing.

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 5 years old
Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 13 years old
Top
Karen McClune
Posts: 746
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 4:58 pm

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by Karen McClune »

Kath,

I am so glad to hear in the end all well be ok. So happy you were able to get into the doc. as fast as you did. These things can be scary.

Thanks for the information. I know it will help a lot of our community.

Hugs, Karen
Top
User avatar
marieke
Posts: 1627
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008.
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Contact:
Contact marieke

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by marieke »

Yikes scary!
Glad that you got it looked at and taken care of!
Hugs to you,
Marieke 32, LOBPI
Marieke Dufresne RN
34, LOBPI
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
Top
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:
Contact Carolyn J

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by Carolyn J »

BOY, you are sooo atracting all kinds of bad stuff!! Stay on it, girl, every change of your body! I am glad it was benign...Are you posting this information too on the General Board?? Alot of MOMS DO NOT come to this Adult Board.

lotsa hugggs,Kath
Carolyn J & Lucy
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Top
Joanie
Posts: 499
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:03 am

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by Joanie »

Kath,

Glad it's benign. Take care.

Joanie
Top
rachelcasa
Posts: 729
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by rachelcasa »

Kath,

I'm so glad you had that bump checked out. It is amazing how fast the affected arm can get sunburnt if you do not use sunscreen.

I am also fair skinned and people tell me all the time that I am burnt. *L* I have to laugh because I am the queen of sunscreen. It's just my skin type. I am slightly allergic to the sun so it is wise for us all to be careful.

I hope you get healed up soon.

Aveeno has a great new face sunscreen out with 70 spf. It's a very nice sunscreen.

Take care
Rachel
Top
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by Kath »

Thanks all...

The funny part about this lesion is that it appears as nothing more than a bug bite. It is also on the inside of my right arm and I've never been burned there at all.
But one never knows how freakie our arms react.

I could not feel the sunburns I got on my arm when I was young. My Mom was very careful with me and the sun. I was always careful about the sun. I lived a few minutes from Jones Beach ( most beautiful beach in the world...;) ) I spent every Sat and Sun there and was dressed in long sleeves and long pants except when in the waves... I am the original sun screen girl... shower put on sunscreen... Still one never know how this can happen.

I just wanted to warn other obpi/tbpi about the danger to our arms.

My right arm is so sore I hurt in places no where near the lesion... I guess my nerves are poorly connected or maybe my arm is improperly wired.... LOL...:)

Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
Top
Judy-T
Posts: 557
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 11:59 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Right arm OBPI One surgery at age 40 Ulnar nerve retransposition
Location: Florida

Re: SUN damage bpi arms

Post by Judy-T »

Kath,
When will you have more of the lesion removed?
Thanks for the warning.
Judy
Top
Locked

Return to “Adult and Young Adult OBPI”