Skin Changes

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

Most skin spots on babies will go away without treatment within a few months. Reference Birthmarks Opens New Window are colored marks on the skin that are present at birth or develop shortly after birth. They can be many different sizes, shapes, and colors, including 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 do not need treatment. Many birthmarks change, grow, shrink, or disappear. There are many types of birthmarks, and some are more common than others. For more information, see the topic Reference Birthmarks.

Cause of skin changes

Reference Acne Opens New Window 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 severe, with large and painful pimples deep under the skin (Reference cystic lesions Opens New Window). It may be present 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 Reference hormone Opens New Window levels. For more information, see the topic Reference Acne.

During pregnancy, dark patches may develop on a woman's face. This is known as the "mask of pregnancy," or chloasma, and it usually fades after delivery. The cause of chloasma is not fully understood, although 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 during pregnancy by using sunscreen and staying out of the sun.

Reference Actinic keratosis Opens New Window and Reference actinic lentigines Opens New Window are types of colored skin spots that are caused by too much sun exposure. Although these spots are not skin cancers, they may mean that you have an increased chance of getting skin cancer, such as Reference squamous cell skin cancer Opens New Window or a type of Reference melanoma. Opens New Window

You may have an Reference allergic reaction Opens New Window to a Reference medicine that causes a skin change, or you may develop 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 develop, and in some cases may spread to areas of your skin that were not exposed to the sun (photoallergy). For more information, see the topic Reference Allergic Reaction.

Skin changes can also be caused by:

• Reference Autoimmune diseases Opens New Window, such as Reference lupus Opens New Window and Reference scleroderma Opens New Window.
• Reactions to a bite, such as Reference Lyme disease Opens New Window from a tick bite. For more information, see the topic Reference Lyme Disease.
• Bacterial skin infections, such as Reference impetigo Opens New Window and Reference cellulitis Opens New Window.
• Viral infections, such as Reference chickenpox Opens New Window, Reference shingles Opens New Window, or Reference fifth disease Opens New Window.
• Liver problems, such as Reference hepatitis Opens New Window, which may cause your skin and the whites of your eye to turn yellow (Reference jaundice Opens New Window).

Common skin changes

Some common skin growths include:

• Moles. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. You may continue to form 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 begin as small fleshy brown spots and may grow a small stalk. Skin tags never turn into skin cancer.
• Seborrheic keratoses, which are harmless skin growths that are found most often on the chest or back; occasionally on the scalp, face, or neck; and less commonly below the waist. They begin as slightly raised tan spots that develop a crusty appearance like that of a wart. Seborrheic keratoses never turn into skin cancer. For more information, see the topic Reference Seborrheic Keratosis.

Treatment of a skin change depends on what is causing the skin change and what other symptoms you are having. Moles, skin tags, and other growths can be removed if they become irritated, bleed, or cause embarrassment.

Skin cancer

While most skin changes are normal and occur with aging, some may be caused by cancer. Reference Skin cancer Opens New Window may start as a growth or mole, a Reference change in a growth or mole, a sore that does not heal, or irritation of the skin. It is the most common form of cancer in North America.

Skin cancer destroys skin cells and tissues and can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. The three most common types of skin cancer are Reference basal cell cancer Opens New Window, Reference squamous cell cancer Opens New Window, and Reference melanoma Opens New Window. See a picture of the Reference ABCDEs of melanoma Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

Causes of skin cancer include:

• Overexposure to the sun, such as a severe, blistering sunburn during childhood.
• Years of overexposure to the sun as an adult.
• The use of tanning beds or sunlamps. UV rays from a tanning bed may actually be more harmful than the sun because they are more intense.
• Repeated exposure to X-rays, chemicals, and radioactive substances.
• Radiation treatments for conditions such as Reference eczema Opens New Window, Reference psoriasis Opens New Window, or Reference acne Opens New Window.

Reference Kaposi's sarcoma Opens New Window is a serious form of skin cancer. It is often found in people who have an Reference impaired immune system Opens New Window, such as people with Reference AIDS Opens New Window. Blue-red raised bumps (nodules) may appear on the face, arms, and trunk and inside the mouth.

Early detection and treatment of skin cancer 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 determine what treatment will be needed. For more information, see the topics Reference Skin Cancer, Melanoma and Reference Skin Cancer, Nonmelanoma.

Reference Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor.

© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.