
I M Just Curious Because This Seems Strange: Is This

Question: I'm just curious because this seems strange: Is this little thing normal? What is it? I took pictures of it because it's too hard to describe and will post them as soon as I figure out how. This is directly on top of a cyst that was removed about 50 years ago. About 6 or 8 months ago it got a leathery-like covering over it and I picked it off. It kept coming back and I kept picking it off because I didn't like the way it looked on my forhead. But it won't stop coming right back. So I took photos last night and this morning.

In one day the little things underneath that look like little roots or something have reformed and I can pick them off. It hurts when I remove it while it's still red or pink. When it's "healed" enough to just be a plain brown leathery-looking thing, it doesn't hurt to remove it, but the little root things come out easier but they're always still there.
Brief Answer:
Get a Biopsy done
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and detailed photographs.
It appears like a non healing ulcer which develops frequent crusting.
Going by your history it has appeared on top of an old removed cyst and probably it is painless as you can easily pick it off.
Considering all the facts it becomes inevitable to get a skin biopsy done to rule out malignancy, mainly basal cell carcinoma.
Painless ulcers in old age can be cancerous.
Please get a biopsy done.
For immediate relief apply an antibacterial cream such as fusidic acid to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
Let me know if you have any doubts.
Thank you
Get a Biopsy done
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and detailed photographs.
It appears like a non healing ulcer which develops frequent crusting.
Going by your history it has appeared on top of an old removed cyst and probably it is painless as you can easily pick it off.
Considering all the facts it becomes inevitable to get a skin biopsy done to rule out malignancy, mainly basal cell carcinoma.
Painless ulcers in old age can be cancerous.
Please get a biopsy done.
For immediate relief apply an antibacterial cream such as fusidic acid to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
Let me know if you have any doubts.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad


Thank you, Dr. XXXXXXX I'll find a dermatologist and have it biopsied. Would you please tell me what the little root-like things are which are shown in the photo? I'll admit I've been a scab-picker all my life (I know, gross) and other scabs have flat bottoms, not these odd looking things. Are they hair follicles? Most of them are kind of clear, and some are kind of meaty looking, but they are definitely an addition to the bottom of the scab that isn't there on other scabs. And one of them leaves a hole and depression in the center of the area under where it was, instead of that also being flat, like there are little roots on the sides and a longer root at the center. Does this look like a cyst would look? Or are they some kind of growth? I guess my questions are: 1) have you seen anything like this before, and 2) what has it been in your experience? Thank you very much for your information and help.
Brief Answer:
Get biopsy done
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
The root like thing is fibrous tissue in addition to hair follicle.
Such appearance is common In deep scabs.
The only concern is that such ulcers are usually painful however you are able to pull off the crust frequently and the margins also appear irregular.
I cannot say by conviction that it look cancerous however it is better to rule out malignancy by biopsy.
Let me know if you have any doubts.
Thank you
Get biopsy done
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
The root like thing is fibrous tissue in addition to hair follicle.
Such appearance is common In deep scabs.
The only concern is that such ulcers are usually painful however you are able to pull off the crust frequently and the margins also appear irregular.
I cannot say by conviction that it look cancerous however it is better to rule out malignancy by biopsy.
Let me know if you have any doubts.
Thank you
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. Nagamani Ng

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