A skin lesion refers to any area of abnormal tissue on or in the body, specifically focusing on the skin’s surface. These abnormalities can range widely in appearance, from changes in color or texture to raised bumps or flat spots. Understanding these variations can provide basic awareness of one’s own skin, helping individuals recognize when a professional evaluation might be beneficial.
Common Types of Skin Lesions
Skin lesions present in various forms, often reflecting their underlying cause. Some common types are caused by viruses. Warts are small, rough, grainy growths that can appear anywhere on the skin, often with tiny black dots representing clotted blood vessels. Cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus, manifest as small, fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips, which may cluster and then crust over.
Other lesions are benign growths that develop over time. Common moles are small, brown or black spots that can be flat or slightly raised, with a symmetrical shape and uniform color. These moles appear during childhood and adolescence. Skin tags are soft, small, flesh-colored or slightly darker growths that hang from the skin by a thin stalk, found in areas of friction like the neck, armpits, or groin.
Some skin lesions indicate precancerous changes or are forms of skin cancer. Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches that develop on sun-exposed areas like the face, scalp, or hands, often feeling like sandpaper. They can vary in color from flesh-toned to red or brown and represent early sun damage that could potentially progress. Basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, appears as a pearly or waxy bump, a flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion, or a bleeding sore that heals and then recurs.
Identifying Concerning Features
When evaluating a pigmented skin lesion, the ABCDE rule can help identify features that warrant professional medical attention. This method focuses on changes or irregularities within moles or other dark spots. Asymmetry refers to one half of the lesion not matching the other half if an imaginary line were drawn through its center. A benign mole appears symmetrical.
Border irregularity suggests that the edges of the lesion are notched, blurred, ragged, or poorly defined, rather than smooth and even. Color variation within a single lesion is another warning sign; this might include shades of brown, black, tan, white, red, or blue. A benign mole has a consistent color throughout.
Diameter larger than 6 millimeters, roughly the size of a pencil eraser, is a feature that raises suspicion. While some benign moles can be larger, this size threshold indicates a need for closer examination. Evolving refers to any change in the lesion over time, including changes in size, shape, color, elevation, or any new symptoms such as bleeding, itching, or crusting. These changes are concerning and should prompt immediate evaluation. The ABCDE rule serves as a guide for identifying potential warning signs, not as a diagnostic tool for self-diagnosis.
What to Do When You Find a Lesion
If you notice a new skin lesion, or an existing one that exhibits any of the concerning features described by the ABCDE rule, seeking professional medical advice is a prudent next step. Consulting a healthcare professional, such as a primary care physician or a dermatologist, allows for an accurate assessment. They can determine if the lesion is benign or requires further investigation.
During a medical evaluation, the doctor will perform a thorough visual examination of the skin, using a specialized handheld magnifying device called a dermatoscope. If the lesion appears suspicious, a biopsy might be recommended. This procedure involves removing a small sample of the lesion for microscopic analysis by a pathologist. Early detection of any concerning skin lesions improves outcomes, highlighting the importance of professional medical consultation.