Skin Conditions That Sometimes Resemble Skin Cancer

Skin Conditions That Sometimes Resemble Skin Cancer

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and this means that you have to pay close attention to what it is telling you. When it comes to a dermatologist, Pleasanton residents should make an appointment to have any odd skin changes checked out. While at a dermatologist, Placerville residents can discuss the skin changes and get information on the cause and possible treatment options, if any treatment is needed.

Seborrheic Keratosis

This condition results in a benign tumor occurring on the skin. The benign tumor is usually brown, scaly and might have plaques that are greasy. They can occur almost anywhere on the body, but do not grow on the soles, palms or mucosa. A genetic predisposition might exist, but overall, the cause remains unknown. Unless these become bothersome treatment is generally not necessary.

Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra

If you are familiar with the actor Morgan Freeman, you have seen this skin condition. In fact, this benign skin condition affects approximately 50 percent of African Americans with women developing the plaques more often than men.

It is characterized by plaques that are almost like skin tags or black moles. They tend to be hard and very dark in color. They are most common on the neck and the face, particularly around the eyes. Unless the lesions become irritated or itchy they generally do not require any medical treatment.

Sebaceous Hyperplasia

This condition is characterized by pore enlargement surrounding a hair follicle. The result is a papule that is yellow in color. These typically occur in adults and on the face. Men have this condition more often than women do and it often occurs in those with a history of liver transplant. What often makes people take note of this condition is that it can look a lot like a basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. In many cases, if a person has this condition, they may have a number of the papules on their face.

Treatment is typically outpatient and requires limited recovery time. They include procedures, such as curettage, cryotherapy and laser therapy.

Lentigines

Also known as a liver spot, this condition is characterized by a mole-like lesion that is most common among older people. They can range from a deep brown color to a pale tan color. The areas of the skin that get the most sun exposure are most prone to this condition. These spots are benign, but they have the potential to develop into a superficial melanoma, which is a malignant condition. Rapid changes in liver spots can indicate that the condition has become malignant. Preventing against further sun damage is critical in preventing malignancy.

Treatment is usually only necessary for cosmetic reasons. Procedures, such as laser therapy, cold therapy and chemical peels are most often used.

Take note of the information presented here. If you ever experience any of these, talk to your dermatologist in Pleasanton or your dermatologist in Placerville. Some of these can indicate a serious underlying problem. Of course, you will also want to discuss possible treatment options with your doctor. The sooner you receive a diagnosis, the better the prognosis in most cases.

Disclaimer: We are unable to guarantee any result, even though most of our patients do see success. The results of our services will vary greatly to each patient’s level of commitment and compliance with the program.

Keyword: dermatologist Pleasanton, dermatologist Placerville