United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

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

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

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

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

Yikes scary!
Glad that you got it looked at and taken care of!
Hugs to you,
Marieke 32, LOBPI

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

Kath,

Glad it's benign. Take care.

Joanie

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

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