Lasting ulcer-like sore on Mom’s cheek?

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MomsKid Asked January 2020

Lasting ulcer-like sore on Mom’s cheek?

Since mom’s LTC Christmas luncheon, she’s has what I would describe as a small ulcer like crater on her left cheek. Mom mentioned it to me yesterday and indicated a nurse put neosporin- like ointment on it. Mom said she feels like it is spreading. With that being said, I’ve left word for a charge nurse in her LTC facility to express concern and recant the conversation we had today. I’m reading some things online, however; wondering if anyone has seen or experienced this with their loved one in later stages of dementia. It’s not scratched. It’s most like an ulcer.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Senior Health Skin Care

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score 2 · Answer 1

Have you looked up molloscum contagion? If it's not very big in size, it could be this virus type spot. Would keep whatever it is loosely covered so she doesn't accidently touch it-
Praying for the diagnosis not to be too invasive. Prayers for your Mother and you.

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score 0 · Answer 2

Sorry to say but this could be early sign of cancer in the Parotid gland which sits just behind the lower jaw. It spreads quickly. Sounds like cancer. If it was me I would be asking for that appointment with any cancer specialist ASAP.

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score 2 · Answer 3

MomsKid I'm very happy to read that your mom's issue has been referred to a dermatologist!

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score 1 · Answer 4

Beyond Geaton's and CWillie's suggestions, it's also good to remember that this is a contagious season, measles is again in an outbreak mode, there's a new virus in China, many imported products are from China, people live in close quarters in LTC facilities, and importantly: it's something that shouldn't be there.

Go for the dermatologist recommendations and have it analyzed, with a culture done if the dermatologist feels it appropriate.

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score 0 · Answer 5

An RN should be able to tell u if its empitago which is contagious. She should be able to tell if it could be cancer. If not, ask the DON to have the LTC doctor to look at it. He can take a biopsy and have it sent off. If found cancerous then u go from there.

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JoAnn an RN is not a doctor or dermatologist and I'm doubtful they'd want to be responsible for misdiagnosing something if it is actually cancer. If I were the caregiver/family member of the LO in this post, I would want a dermatologist to give the final diagnosis, backed up by any other diagnostics deemed necessary.

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score 1 · Answer 6

It could be any number of things, like empitago but for an elder it could certainly be some type of skin cancer. Can you request a visit from a dermatologist to biopsy it? Would your LO be compliant? Or, you could take a pic of it at your next visit and send it to a dermatologist for them to give you an idea of how concerned you should be. I realize docs aren't happy to diagnose things from pictures but if you explain that your LO is in a facility and the staff doc has not given much guidance...

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score 1 · Answer 7

My mom had a sore on her chest about the size of a pencil eraser that would repeatedly break open, bleed, scab and heal. Of course it was a skin cancer, but the question was what to do about it? We took a wait and see approach and although it reached a point that it never really healed at all it didn't grow very much larger. I do think we would have treated early it if it was on her face though.

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Update: the charge nurse and a nurse from another floor took a look for themselves today. I received a call from her this evening and the LTC MD ordered a referral to a dermatologist. No details could be obtained despite the ways I asked. Mom’s dementia is noticeably and rapidly sliding and I understand the wait and see approach you mentioned (despite being on her cheek, it’s there - end of.) Thank you for a relatable reply. I consistently read this page but this is the first post. Hoping to get a call with news an appointment is sooner rather than later. Dementia is ravaging - now she will confront something new. My best friend and lifelong teacher deserves peace.

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Lasting ulcer-like sore on Mom’s cheek?

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