Skin Growths
Clean skin and a clean bill of health.
Suffering From Skin Growths?
From unsightly warts to harmful melanomas, there are a number of irregularities that can occur on our bodies. Elite Skin has the experience, precision and dedication to help you remove these blemishes and bring your skin back to its natural and healthy smoothness.
The Types Of Skin Growths
Here are some of the most common types of skin growths, how to identify them and what to do about them.
Moles
Moles are small, brown-colored bumps or flat spots that can appear anywhere on the body. They are very common, with the average adult having somewhere between 10 and 40 moles. Moles come in many versions:
By Onset
Present at birth.
Develop later in life, usually during childhood or early adulthood.
By Appearance (Clinical)
Flat, uniformly pigmented; mole cells at the superficial junction in our skin.
Slightly raised; mole cells at both the superficial and deeper parts of our skin
Raised or dome-shaped; mole cells within all the layers of the skin and often wrapped around or associated with hair follicles and oil glands.
Deeply pigmented and often bluish due to the depth of pigment.
Surrounded by a depigmented ring.
Pink, dome-shaped, and often mistaken for melanoma; more common in children.
Appear after partial removal or trauma to a mole.
Larger, irregular borders, and variable pigmentation; may be associated with a higher risk of melanoma.
Moles can be further characterized under the microscope, should any be removed for further analysis.
As you perform monthly self-checks of your skin, be on the lookout for new or changing moles. These changes include asymmetry of the mole, irregular borders, color changes/differences, growth of the mole larger than a pencil eraser, and any symptoms such as pain, itchiness, scaling and bleeding.
Cysts
Cysts are sac-like pockets made up of a lining of skin cells that form beneath the skin. They vary widely in size and can develop on any part of the body. Here are some of the most common types of cysts.
These cysts typically develop on the scalp, often felt as a small bump or knot beneath the hair. If left untreated, they can lead to localized hair loss. If they rupture, they may become quite painful and drain a messy pus-like discharge.
These common cysts often come back, even if you try to pop them. They form when dead skin cells and bacteria that would normally shed from the surface become trapped beneath the skin. In some cases, they can rupture under the skin, leading to a painful abscess, or erode through the skin, causing discomfort, drainage, and scarring.
You’ll find these cysts on your fingers, typically at the base of your fingernail. They’ll look like a hard firm bubble. Inside these bubbles is trapped fluid that is normally meant to lubricate your joints.
It’s best to have a cyst removed by a dermatologist like the ones at Elite Skin before it bursts. This is a quick and painless outpatient procedure that eliminates the problem for good. We simply remove the pocket of cells, and stitch up the area, fully healing into a smooth, almost imperceptible scar in a couple of months.
Please note that at-home cyst removal is not possible. Popping the cyst yourself is not a solution – It’ll be painful for you and the cyst will just come back. Only a professional can remove a cyst for good.
Warts
Warts are common skin infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They most often occur in children and young adults. There are three major types of warts: common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts. Warts, in general, are benign, but some have been linked to skin cancer.
These typically appear on your hands and fingers they are rough, raised, and have a cauliflower-like surface.
Plantar warts most often form on your feet, especially the soles. They’re often flat or grow inward and often have black dots in them that look like seeds from the size of a pinhead to a pea. These are clotted blood vessels caused by the genes of the wart virus and not true “infectious seeds.” They can cause pain when you stand or walk if they become large enough.
These warts can develop anywhere on the body. They’re smaller and smoother than other warts and often grow in large numbers (20-100) at a time.
While being mostly harmless, choosing to remove a wart is a valid treatment option, whether through topical medications, injections, or a minor procedure. The specialists at Elite Skin can help you determine the best treatment approach tailored to your skin and lifestyle.
Lipoma
Lipomas are small lumps of fatty tissue that grow just beneath your skin. These lumps have a rubber-like feel to them, and they move easily when you touch them. These are very common growths that most often occur between the ages of 40 and 60, though they have the potential to appear at any age. Lipomas do not typically cause pain or health issues, so they rarely require treatment. However, if a lipoma is bothersome to you, the experts at Elite Skin can carefully remove it.
We Know Skin Growths
When it comes to skin growths, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Our expert dermatologists can examine, diagnose and treat your skin growths, from nagging cysts to severe melanomas.
Book an appointment with Elite Skin today!
