Understanding the signs of symptoms of the common cold is simple, but learning possible signs of serious medical conditions can be difficult. Considering one in five Americans develop skin cancer, or melanoma, in their lifetime, learning the signs of this serious medical condition is essential. Unfortunately, you may only associate moles with skin cancer, since it is a common early sign. However, learning the other signs of this common cancer is smart for early diagnosis. Using this guide on uncommon signs of skin cancer, you will understand that moles are not your only cause for concern.
Chronic Dry, Scaly Skin
Solar keratosis, or dry, scaly patches of skin, stems from overexposure to the sun's harmful rays. While these dry patches of skin develop over the years and are usually harmless, they can lead to skin cancer.
Inspect your body each night for solar keratosis. If you notice light to dark, pink to red patches of dry skin that measure between the size of a pinhead to 2-3 centimeters, consult a dermatologist for more testing. In most cases, a specialized scope will give a closer look into the skin's overall health, determining if you have a form of skin cancer.
To treat the dry, scaly patches of skin, your dermatologist may prescribe a series of medicated creams to reduce the inflammation. Microdermabrasion and chemicals peels are also an option for treatment.
Nail Bumps
While surprising to hear, your finger and toe nails may also display early signs of skin cancer. If you notice small bumps at the edge of your nails or under the nail surface, consult your doctor. Although not painful, the nail imperfections can be sore to the touch.
These raised areas on your nail may ruin your manicure or pedicure, but the imperfections deserve serious examination.
Long-Term Scrapes and Cuts
From falling at the gym to slicing your finger while cutting up vegetables, simple scrapes and cuts should not require a great deal of time to heal. Unfortunately, you may not notice the amount of time your skin takes to heal itself, so documenting all minor scrapes and cuts is smart.
After injuring yourself, consider the following schedule to ensure you are healing at an adequate speed:
If your scrape or cut is not healing according to this schedule, contact a dermatologist for further testing.
Warts
A red, sore, and painful wart on your skin is not a sign of skin cancer. However, if the wart is taking longer than normal to heal, it is best to consult your dermatologist.
These raised, dome-shaped growths may occur on your hands, toes, fingers, feet, and knees, but your face and other areas may develop flat-shaped warts, known as plane warts. While most of these common warts disappear on their own within 18 months, others may linger, requiring topical ointments and professional examination.
If treatment is unsuccessful, your dermatologist may prescribe a series of oral medications or suggest surgical removal of the warts. In addition, testing may be necessary to determine if the warts are an early sign of cancer.
Skin cancer requires early diagnosis and education for effective treatment. Using this guide, you will understand that moles are not the only symptom of skin cancer.
Share28 September 2015
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