What's This on My Skin? Women's Dermatologic Conditions

With all the recent news about skin cancer and sun blocks, one can't help to be concerned about moles and blemishes on the skin. We all have them from time to time, some more than others. For the most part, these blemishes are more of a cosmetic problem than a health one, however every women should do a full body check and anything that looks unusual show be addressed with your dermatologist. Some of the most common skin moles and blemishes are as follows:

Skin tags (acrochordons) are soft brownish-colored growths that are common to the neck, upper eyelids, armpits and groin areas. They are usually benign and asymptomatic, other than they can become irritated from shaving or rubbing against clothing. As women, we simply don't like them from a cosmetic standpoint.

Cherry angiomas are seen as smooth, bright red, domed-shaped lesions arising from dilated capillaries. They vary in size from pinpoint to a quarter inch or more in diameter. Cherry angiomas begin to appear around age 40 and are seen in many women as they age. The lesions may be removed by electrodessication or cryosurgery (freezing the growth).

Seborrheic keratoses are common growths that begin to appear on the skin after age 30. They can frequent areas on the face, trunk and extremities. Seborrheic keratoses begin as oval, waxy, flat-topped bumps that are beige or tan in color and can grow in size to between a third of an inch to several inches in diameter. Flat growths can be treated with topical acids or with cryosurgery, where more raised lesions may need to be surgically removed. Most keratoses do not cause problems, however if the growths become inflamed or take on an unusual appearance, a dermatologist may want to biopsy the lesion to rule out pigmented basal-cell carcinoma or even a malignant melanoma. It's always best to err on the side of caution.

Hyperpigmentation, which are called age spots (and also know as liver spots) are tan to dark brown flat, pigmented areas up to an inch in diameter. These typically appear on the face and backs of the hands. Old wives tales say that liver spots are a part of natural aging, however they are really the result of overactivity of melanin, due to overexposure to the sun. An increased pigmentation on the upper lip, forehead and cheeks are called chloasma and this may appear during and after pregnancy, as well as with the use of birth-control pills and other hormonal changes.

Watch out signs! Some skin changes may be early signs of skin cancer and warrant a close watch. Every woman should perform self-examinations and schedule a yearly checkup with a dermatologist just to be safe. Report any of these changes:

· scaly red patches with irregular borders that sometimes crust and bleeds

· growths that are elevated and have a central depression that sometimes bleed

· shiny bump that's pearly, translucent, pink, red, white, tan, brown or black in color

· wart-like growths that crusts and sometimes bleeds

· any change in the size, color or shape of a mole or pigmented area on the skin

As a woman, I always wished for a "peaches and cream" complexion and beautiful clear skin, but it didn't happen this way. And now that I'm a little older and wiser, I wish I didn't bake out in the sun in my youth looking for a bronzed tan. Those years catch up with you at a later date and unfortunately in the dermatologist's office. Not fun! The best way to stay clear of women's dermatologic conditions is to protect your skin from the sun's damage with plenty of sunscreen and cover up with clothing during peak sun hours.

Sources:

Top Ten Women's Skin Problems '" Solved!

Cherry angioma

Seborrheic keratoses

Hyperpigmentation, Hypopigmentation and Your Skin

Skin Tag

Skin Health

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