Spot the signs: When to worry about skin changes
Various skin changes can appear on the body. Not all of them are dangerous. It's worth keeping an eye on every mole, however. A specialist explained what should alarm us and prompt a visit to the doctor. The expert pointed out five warning signs.
2:18 PM EDT, July 24, 2024
Smaller and larger spots or other skin changes appear on our bodies throughout our lives. Even in the case of small moles, observation and caution are necessary. What should concern us and prompt an examination?
Popular on social media, Dr. Sooj recommended a practical method for self-examining changes in a video published on TikTok. He also revealed five symptoms that signal it's time to see a specialist.
Notice such a change? Check if it's dangerous
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body. However, according to Dr. Sooj, it most often occurs on the legs and back. - As he says, some rarer types can develop inside the eye, on the soles of the feet, palms, or genital organs. The expert advises checking your skin for unusual changes or new growths.
The family medicine specialist emphasized that every change should be thoroughly checked. First, its shape—a mole's asymmetry can signal that it is cancerous. Second, the borders. Irregular, "jagged" borders characterize melanomas. The third warning sign is color. If the skin change consists of, for example, two or more colors, it should catch our attention.
But that’s not the end of the list. The fourth concerning feature of a skin change is its diameter. If a mole is large and reaches over a quarter of an inch, it is essential to make an appointment with the doctor. The fifth warning is changes. We might deal with melanoma if a mole grows, changes colors, bleeds, or becomes crusty.
