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Considering all the wear and tear skin gets—exposure to the  elements, washing and drying, squinting and smiling—it’s remarkably resilient. However, an illness or external irritant can cause a bump, spot or rash to show up somewhere on the body. Usually harmless, changes in the skin sometimes require medical attention. This guide will show you what to look for and what to do about it.
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Skin Sign
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What It May Mean
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What You Should Do
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| a scaly red spot; a change in a mole; any new skin growth; bleeding in a mole or other growth |
skin cancer |
see your health care provider immediately |
| a cut that fails to heal |
skin cancer, circulatory problems, diabetes |
see your health care provider immediately |
| a new, dark, crusty mole-like spot |
seborrheic keratosis |
no treatment is required, but your care provider might want to examine the growth to rule out a more serious condition |
| a very painful, blistery rash on one side of the body |
shingles, a viral nerve infection |
see your health care provider immediately; antiviral medication can help if given early; painkillers and a soothing ointment also help |
| a flaky, itchy rash that merges into the surrounding skin |
eczema |
keep the affected skin clean and dry; don't use harsh soaps; if rash persists, see your health care provider |
| persistent itching without a rash |
an underlying disorder, such as liver disease, diabetes, kidney failure, blood disorders, or thyroid disease |
see your health care provider; a nonprescription, unscented moisturizer can help soothe skin, as may compounds that contain menthol or eucalyptus |
| a red, blistery rash that oozes, scabs and scales |
cosmetic dermatitis, which may be caused by cosmetics, plants, metal compounds and chemicals used in clothing manufacture |
identify and avoid the trigger; keep the area clean and covered with dry bandages; corticosteroid creams can relieve mild dermatitis; see your health care provider if severe |
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This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, which should be obtained from your doctor.
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Skin Smarts
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Here are some tips to maintain healthy skin:
- Avoid the sun. sun exposure causes skin cancer, wrinkles and age spots. Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.
- Eat right. Make sure your diet has enough protein and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Drink plenty of water. Plenty means eight 8-ounce servings a day.
- Don’t smoke and avoid smoky areas. Breathing smoke is associated with wrinkles and poor circulation.
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Watch your skin carefully. a bump, crusted area, lesion or mole that has grown or changed in character could be a sign of skin cancer. if caught early, skin cancers are almost always curable.
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