Skin Changes

Overview

Most skin bumps, spots, growths, and moles are harmless. Colored skin spots, also called pigmented lesions (such as freckles, moles, or flesh-colored skin spots), or growths (such as warts or skin tags) may be there at birth or develop as the skin ages.

Most skin spots on babies will go away without treatment within a few months. Birthmarks are colored marks on the skin that are there at birth or appear shortly after birth. They can be many different sizes, shapes, and colors, such as brown, tan, black, blue, pink, white, red, or purple. Some birthmarks appear on the surface of the skin. Some are raised above the surface of the skin, and some occur under the skin. Most birthmarks are harmless and don't need treatment. Many birthmarks change, grow, shrink, or disappear. There are many types of birthmarks. Some are more common than others.

Causes of skin changes

Acne is a common skin change that occurs during the teen years and may last into adulthood. Acne may be mild, with just a few blackheads (comedones). Or it may be severe, with large and painful pimples deep under the skin (cystic lesions). It may be on the chest and back as well as on the face and neck. Boys often have more severe outbreaks of acne than girls. Many girls have acne before their periods that occurs because of changes in hormone levels.

During pregnancy, dark patches may form on a woman's face. This is known as the "mask of pregnancy," or chloasma. It usually fades after the baby is born. The cause of chloasma isn't fully understood. But experts think that increased levels of pregnancy hormones cause the pigment-producing cells in the skin (melanocytes) to produce more pigment. You can reduce skin pigment changes when you are pregnant by using sunscreen and staying out of the sun.

Actinic keratosis and actinic lentigines are types of colored skin spots that are caused by too much sun exposure. These spots aren't skin cancers. But they may mean that you have an increased chance of getting skin cancer, such as squamous cell skin cancer or a type of melanoma.

You may have an allergic reaction to a medicine that causes a skin change. Or you may get a skin reaction when you are out in the sun while you are taking a medicine. (This is called photosensitivity.) Rashes, hives, and itching may occur. In some cases, they may spread to areas of your skin that weren't exposed to the sun (photoallergy).

Skin changes can also be caused by:

• Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and scleroderma.
• Reactions to a bite, such as Lyme disease from a tick bite.
• Bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo and cellulitis.
• Viral infections, such as chickenpox, shingles, and fifth disease.
• Liver problems, such as hepatitis, which may cause your skin and the whites of your eye to turn yellow (jaundice).

Common skin changes

Some common skin growths include:

Moles.

Most people have 10 to 40 moles. You may get new moles until you are in your 40s. Moles may change over time. They can gradually get bigger, develop a hair, become more raised, get lighter in color, fade away, or fall off.

Skin tags.

These are harmless growths that appear in the skin folds on the neck, under the arms, under the breasts, or in the groin. They start as small fleshy brown spots and may grow a small stalk. Skin tags never turn into skin cancer.

Seborrheic keratoses.

These skin growths are almost always harmless. They are found most often on the chest or back. Sometimes they're on the scalp, face, or neck. Less often, they are below the waist. They start as slightly raised tan spots that form a crusty appearance like a wart.

Treatment of a skin change depends on what's causing the skin change and what other symptoms you have. Moles, skin tags, and other growths can be removed if they get irritated, bleed, or make you feel embarrassed.

Skin cancer

While most skin changes are normal and occur with aging, some may be caused by cancer. Skin cancer may start as a growth or mole, a change in a growth or mole, a sore that doesn't heal, or irritation of the skin. It's the most common form of cancer in North America.

Skin cancer destroys skin cells and tissues. It can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma.

Finding and treating skin cancer early can help prevent problems. Treatment depends on the type and location of the growth and how advanced it is when it is diagnosed. Surgery to remove the growth will help to find what treatment will be needed.