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Can a Sore That Won’t Heal Be a Sign Of Basal Cell Carcinoma?

by | Jan 5, 2019 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Skin sores are more common than you may think. However, if you have a sore that persists and never seems to fully heal, It could signal something more serious. And, if you ever have any doubts about the condition of your skin, it’s best to see a board certified dermatologist like Associated Dermatologists. But before you worry that you could have skin cancer, let us help you get a clearer understanding of the signs and symptoms that you should look out for!

1.   A spot or sore that doesn’t fully heal.

As mentioned above, skin sores are extremely common, but if it’s been there for 4 weeks with no signs of improvement or healing, you should definitely get your sore checked. Sores that are itchy, crusty, bleed, or hurt for more than 4 weeks, and/or are recurrent should be brought to the attention of a trusted dermatologist. Always error on the side of caution.

2.   A pearly bump on your skin.

In some rare cases, basal cell carcinoma can appear as a small, slow-growing, shiny, pink or red bump on your skin. When a bump is in question, see your skin specialist.

3.   Red scaly patches on your skin that won’t go away.

If you have red patches or areas of skin that are itchy and a little tender to touch, be sure to get it checked out. This isn’t always a sign of skin cancer, but it should be checked if it doesn’t go away.

4.   A mole that has significantly changed in appearance.

If you notice that any mole that has changed color or if it has become larger, it could possibly be a sign of skin cancer. So, be sure to get any mole that has changed in size, shape, or color checked. Also, another warning sign to look out for is a mole that has multiple or unusual colors like red, white, blue, or black.

 

5.   The sudden appearance of a new mole when you’re at an age where getting new moles is unusual.

Having new moles at a certain age of maturity is not a common thing. Although, there’s really no specific cut off date, any new mole that suddenly comes up should always be checked to ensure it that it isn’t cancerous.

6.   A mole that itches and bleeds.

If you injured your mole and it bled, there’s nothing to worry about. However, if you find that a mole begins to bleed and itch for no reason, definitely have it checked out.

7.   A suspicious spot on a body part that isn’t exposed to the sun.

It has been known for quite some time that sun exposure is definitely the most common risk factor for skin cancer. But even parts of your body that are hidden from the sun can be at risk due to genetic mutations. So, be sure to pay attention to all unusual spots on your skin.

UV or sun exposure is considered the main, but preventable cause of this dreadful disease. So here are a few tips from Associated Dermatologists to stay safe under the sun.

 

  1. Wear light colored clothing that covers your arms and legs when you plan to spend a prolonged period of time in the sun, and also wear a hat to shield your face, nose and ears from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.
  2. Protect your eyes with UV protective sunglasses.
  3. Always wear sunscreen.