What are Skin Signs?
Skin signs are common skin lesions that arise from the proliferation of melanocytes – cells responsible for producing melanin –, which clump together instead of being distributed throughout the skin, resulting in a different appearance compared to the surrounding area.
They are usually dark, brownish or almost black, but can also take on reddish or pinkish tones.
They can also vary in shape and feel to the touch.
They manifest themselves in any area of the body, although they usually appear more frequently in exposed areas.
They can also be congenital, present from birth, or acquired, emerging throughout life until adulthood.
It is estimated that an adult may have between 10 and 40 moles.
The signs can be distinguished by their benign nature, without health risks, or malignant, progressing to malignant skin tumors.
Causes
The reason for the appearance of skin signs is still not very clear.
However, it is known that the genetics plays a preponderant role – that’s why some people seem to have a lot of moles and others don’t.
They can also appear as a result of a frequent and/or prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
In women, the pregnancy It also appears to be a period of greater predisposition to skin signs or darkening.
As for malignant moles, although they may not represent direct causes, there are factors that increase the likelihood of them manifesting, namely personal or family history and the type of phototype – generally, the lower (and therefore lighter), the greater the sensitivity to ultraviolet rays.
Warning signs
In some situations, it is normal for signs to undergo slight changes over time, without posing any danger.
Still, these changes can generally represent warning signs if the lesions:
- Noticeably change their dimensions and colors;
- Are asymmetrical or non-uniform;
- They are rough to the touch (you can feel them before you see them);
- Have a different appearance from other signs;
- Cause itching, discharge fluid or bleed;
- They look like wounds, but they don't heal.
The best way to check for any of these changes or the presence of new marks is through regular self-examination., carefully observing the most exposed and most hidden areas, namely:
- Lips and mouth;
- Behind the ears;
- Scalp, shoulders and neck;
- Between the fingers and toes and under the nails;
- Elbows and armpits;
- Between the chest and below it (in the case of women);
- Back;
- Soles of the feet.
It is important to realize that Having some of these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have a tumor. That's why, if you experience them, you should quickly consult a doctor for a professional evaluation.
Treatments for Skin Signs
Moles don't always require treatment – this only happens if they are considered potentially dangerous, after a professional dermatological evaluation, or for aesthetic reasons.
Sign Excision
Usually, signs are removed through a surgical excision technique, using local anesthesia, in a quick intervention.
Simply put, it allows definitively treat the problem, only needing to be sutured with a few stitches.
In addition to being completely effective, it is a safe procedure, performed in the office.
Medical Specialist
in Skin Signs
Dr. Ana Isabel Moreira
- Aesthetic Dermatologist
- Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
- Specialist in Dermatology and Venereology
- Reviewer of scientific articles at the invitation of international journals
- Member of the Portuguese Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SPME)
English (UK)