We’ve all been there before. You get out of the shower and notice a spot on your body in the mirror that you haven’t noticed before. Maybe it’s discolored or raised. It could be very obvious or barely noticeable. Should you be concerned?
There are a wide variety of growths that can appear on our skin. Most of the growths are benign, (non-cancerous) possibly caused from injury, irritation, or aging. However, it is important to air on the side of caution and seek medical attention if you find a growth or spot that concerns you.
Common Benign Skin Growths
Cysts – Cysts are small sacs of fluid or material that cause a bump under the skin. One of the most common types is the sebaceous cyst. Cysts form due to blocked pores and depending on the size, may require a minor surgical procedure in the office to remove them. Your cyst may have a central hole where fluid drains from, or it may not drain at all. If the cyst becomes infected, it can be red and painful.
Moles – Moles are dark spots that can appear anywhere on the body. They can be flat or raised on the skin. Moles are benign lesions that typically aren’t removed unless desired for cosmetic reasons. However, if you have a mole that is itching, bleeding, or changing in shape or size, it is important to see your doctor immediately as these can be signs of skin cancer. If mole is concerning or irritating, it can be easily removed and the biopsy will be sent to the laboratory to test for skin cancer.
Seborrheic Keratoses – Seborrheic keratoses (or SKs) are extremely common stuck-on papules that can appear on the skin. They are most commonly brown, but also can be skin colored. Your medical provider can help you decide what your treatment options are. To remove an SK, cryotherapy is commonly used to freeze off these lesions. This typically takes 1-2 sessions of cryotherapy.
Cherry Angiomas – You may have noticed small, brightly colored red or purplish spots on your skin. These are likely cherry angiomas, small clusters of blood vessels. These lesions are harmless, though larger size ones may bleed and require removal. You may see an increase in numbers as you age.