Suspicious Skin Spots

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, so taking care of your skin is crucial to your health. Almost everyone on the planet has a few freckles and at least one mole. These are benign skin discolorations, meaning they are non-cancerous and cause no problems. However, skin cancer is a very dangerous concern that can develop in the skin. It is essential that you take care of your skin and pay attention to any changes that occur.

What Makes a Spot Suspicious?

Skin cancer most often develops on areas of the body that receive a lot of sun exposure. The sun’s UV rays can cause damage, which is why you should wear sunscreen with a minimal SPF of 15+ every day.

Suspicious spots on the skin need to be evaluated by a medical dermatologist as soon as you notice them. If you have a mole, freckle, or spot on your skin that has recently developed or changed, you need to make a dermatology appointment.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that can lead to death. Most often occurring on the legs of women and on the neck, head, back, and chest of men, this type of skin cancer needs immediate intervention.

Dermatologists have created a simple “ABCDE” method to determine if a spot on your skin is suspicious. If any of these symptoms apply, see your doctor right away.

A: asymmetrical – If you draw a line down any healthy mole, both sides should be almost identical. Cancerous moles are asymmetrical, with one half of the mole looking very different from the other half.

B: border – The edges of a healthy freckle or mole should be smooth and even. Raised, ragged, or notched borders may indicate cancer.

C: change in color – Healthy moles or freckles should be a uniform color. If there is color variation within a single spot, or if a spot changes color, this may be caused by cancer. Keep an eye out for different shades of black, blue, brown, red, tan, or white.

D: diameter – Any spot that is larger than 6 millimeters may be a sign of cancer.

E: evolving – Developing new moles or freckles as an adult can be a sign of cancer. You should also look for changes in size, shape, and color of your existing moles.

Kayal Dermatology is a leading practice specializing in dermatology and conditions of the skin. We offer skin cancer screening that can detect both benign and malignant abnormalities. Cancers of the skin are severe, and misdiagnosis can lead to ineffective treatments or fatal results.

If you have any suspicious spots on your skin or have never had a skin cancer screening, contact our Marietta practice today.