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I grew up in the United States in quite a sunny area. I have had 4 blistering sunburns in my lifetime that I specifically remember, 2 as a child, 1 as a teen, and 1 as a young adult. Aside from the blistering sunburns, I also remember spending the great majority of my summers with some kind of more minor sunburn as well. I had quite fair skin as a child and I have blue eyes. As a young teen I also regularly visited the tanning bed due to being a cheerleader and associated peer pressure. Since my mid-twenties I have been much more careful using no less than factor 30-50 whenever I am going to be in sun for extended times and factor 30 on my face at all times.

I'm asking all of this because I would like some advice on how concerned I should be about the state of my skin. I have more moles on my body than I can count and although none of them have ever particularly worried me in the last month or so a few have started spreading, some are raising from the skin, scabbing over, and becoming very itchy. I also have other parts of my skin that have been getting itchy for no reason as I do not suffer from dry skin nor eczema.

As I work full-time and commute more than 20 miles on public transport, I do not have a lot of time to make appointments for things like this. I work for the NHS and was wondering if it is possible for my GP to refer me for some kind of consultation in the hospital where I work rather than having to take time off to visit the GP?

Sincerely,
Mrs Biden

Dear Mrs Biden

Any changes to moles on the skin warrant a visit to your GP for advise and if appropriate referral. With your history of sunburning episodes and sunbed usage, I feel it is important you get your moles checked. It is important to keep an eye out for changes in moles but this is not always easy when you have very many. Generally moles would look very similar on a person, in colour, size, shape. If you are referred by your GP you may see a Dermatologist ( skin specialist) who may refer you for "mole mapping", many hospitals will offer this service and this can be an aid when checking your moles.

Itcyness can often be due to dry skin but can also be caused by a variety of other changes ( hormonal, season etc) in the first instance you could try to use a simple moisturiser, to see if that has an effect.

I am sure if your GP feels that a referral is appropriate, that you could be referred to the hospital you are working in. Perhaps you could check if your GP has an evening surgery? Many do now, to help patients that work during the day.

Hope this helps

Best wishes
Saskia Reeken

Dear Saskia,

Thank you for your time and your reply.

Sincerely,
Mrs Biden