Your skin, like other parts of your body, keeps on changing as you go through life. It’s important to know what to watch for, especially as you get older. No, I am not talking about wrinkles! Some of the things that can appear on skin are merely annoying, while others can be dangerous to your health and should be checked by your doctor.
I am very interested in both prevention and skin conditions, and in teaching patients how to keep their skin healthy. Skin cancer is common, but also very easy to watch for and prevent.
Skin tags
Skin tags, which are usually soft and look like a piece of hanging skin, are typically just annoying. Usually a skin tag starts as a small bump of skin. These occur most often on areas of skin that rub together: armpits, eyelids, groin, neck and under the breasts. It is thought that they are caused by the skin rubbing together and they are more common after midlife. If they are rubbed repeatedly, such as by a necklace, they can become irritated and sore. Things that make you more likely to develop skin tags include heredity, being overweight, diabetes and pregnancy.
The good news is that skin tags are generally harmless and can be ignored. If they bother you or get consistently irritated, they can be removed by your health care provider. Common methods include freezing them off with liquid nitrogen or snipping them off. Removal of skin tags that are not irritated is considered a cosmetic procedure, so your insurance may not cover the cost. Over-the-counter treatments such as Tag Away™ are sometimes successful. You can also remove a skin tag with a clean pair of cuticle scissors – just be mindful of skin infections. While skin tags are generally harmless, it is important to discuss options with your doctor if they bother you.
Moles
Moles – which are pigmented cells that appear as spots anywhere on your body – are a different story. They often are brown but can also be the same color as your skin or bluish, black or red. Most moles are harmless but some can become cancerous. Most moles appear by adolescence. However, it is not uncommon to develop new and darkening moles during pregnancy. I recommend having a mole evaluated by a doctor if you note a new mole after age 30, if it becomes painful or itchy, or if there is oozing or bleeding. Get it checked if it is asymmetrical, becomes raised or suddenly changes in size, shape or color.
If a mole looks suspicious, your provider will want to take a sample of cells from it to test for cancer. Your provider may be able to do a simple biopsy in the office or may send you to a surgeon for a larger biopsy. This may also be done if the initial biopsy shows an abnormal or cancerous mole. The moles I biopsy tend to be the “ugly duckling” moles that just look different than the rest of the spots on your body. I also tend to remove any moles that have grown or changed.
Talk with your doctor
It is important to discuss any concerns you have about skin tags or moles with your doctor. For anyone who has had cancer or has multiple moles, it may be best to have a yearly exam with a dermatologist.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between skin tags and moles. The most important thing is to be aware and notice skin changes. If you are worried, make sure you bring it up at your next appointment so you and your provider can discuss options and treatments that may work best for you.
Schedule an appointment today by calling 320-864-7816 or with your MyChart account.
Learn more about Amanda Leino, MD.
