Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesMelanoma SignsSignificanceDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Melanoma Signs
Significance
Diagnosis
Treatment
Skin conditions can be challenging to self-diagnose, so regular visits to adermatologistwill offer insight into whether your lesions are a concern. Here’s some background oncancerous versus benign lesions, and what you should look out for when checking your skin.
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Types of Skin Lesions
There are numerous markings that can appear on the skin throughout your lifetime. Here’s a breakdown of some of the common skin conditions you may have noticed on yourself or seen on others.
Blisters
Warts
Warts are a symptom found anywhere on the skin. Although they typically go away within months, warts can be painful and bothersome. Some warts can be treated at home while others will require intervention at a healthcare provider’s office, typically a dermatologist or surgeon.
Warts: Overview and More
Moles
Moles are a normal occurrence for skin, especially fair skin. Many adults have between 10 to 40 different moles that become darker or lighter with age. Moles are slightly raised and have a round, symmetrical shape.
They’re typically brown but may be colorless, tan, or display other tints. You may find moles on your scalp, under your nails, or anywhere on the skin.
Are Moles Cause for Concern?
Actinic Keratosis
A precancerous skin lesion called actinic keratosis (AK) can be mistaken for a rash, age spots, or a wound, but it’s actually a precancerous growth. Some AKs even have a horn-like appearance. AKs tend to develop on sun-damaged skin over a long period of time. On the lips, AKs may look like white patches or sores.
Going to the dermatologist for regular skin checks can help detect AKs before they progress into cancer.
Cancer
The three most well known and common forms of skin cancer include:
Skin Cancer Types: Most Common and Fatal Types with Pictures
Characteristics of Melanoma
The most serious form of skin cancer is calledmelanoma. Learning how to recognize the traits of melanoma can help you identify it early. A common way to remember this is with the first five letters of the alphabet:
The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer
Significance of Skin Lesions
Lesions on the skin can range from insignificant to deadly, but most are somewhere in between. If you’re dealing with an issue likeskin tags, rashes, or blisters, you may want to take action to have it reduced or removed. Luckily, a dermatologist or surgeon can help address most skin lesions through surgical removal, or treatment with prescription creams or medication.
Skin Diagnosis
If you have blisters orhives, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your medical history to identify any sensitivities or conditions that may be responsible for your skin reaction. Warts may be biopsied for identification.
Skin lesions that grow rapidly, bleed, itch, stand out, or protrude, tend to get diagnosed faster because they prompt patients to make a healthcare provider appointment. However, regular skin checks can help your dermatologist or provider catch lesions that seem benign but are in fact precancerous or cancerous.
It’s not always easy to discern the difference between a problematic lesion and one that’s merely cosmetic, especially for the untrained eye. Visiting a provider as recommended (yearly, or every six months for those with history) is a proactive way to get ahead of potentially dangerous skin lesions.
Your provider will use a magnifying glass and special light to get a closer look at any new or unusual markings on your skin. Using a small incision (with numbing cream), they may take a small biopsy to send to the lab for analysis.
Treatment Options
To treat a blister, your dermatologist may advise covering it with a bandage and keeping it dry and clean.Popping a blister is generally discouraged, but if it’s large and painful your dermatologist can give you instructions on how to sterilize a small needle to allow the fluid to drain.
To have warts removed, your dermatologist may suggest a variety of treatment options.You may be prescribed salicylic acid to apply to damp skin over several weeks.
Liquid nitrogen treatment or laser treatments are move invasive but possible options for wart removal as well.
If your dermatologist decides tobiopsy your lesionfor further testing, you can expect a phone call with the results within a week or so. For cancerous lesions, you’ll be sent to a dermatologic surgeon to fully remove the dangerous cells along with a perimeter to ensure that everything was removed.
Depending on the type of cells and the number of cancerous lesions you have, your dermatologist will likely recommend more frequent skin checks. If further treatment is warranted (in the case of cancer that has spread) you’ll be sent to do lab work and see your primary care doctor or an oncologist to collaborate on the next steps.
A Word From Verywell
Taking good care of our skin starts with wearing sunblock and ends with getting regular skin checks at thedermatologist. Even if you have dark skin, it’s essential to protect your skin from damage that can lead to cancer. Early detection of skin cancer gives you a chance to have it removed before it grows into a bigger concern.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.Blisters (overview).American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.American Academy of Family Physicians.Warts.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: signs and symptoms.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.Blisters (overview).American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.American Academy of Family Physicians.Warts.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: signs and symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health Publishing.Blisters (overview).American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.American Academy of Family Physicians.Warts.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: signs and symptoms.
Harvard Health Publishing.Blisters (overview).
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat blisters.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Warts.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: Overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: signs and symptoms.
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