SKIN LESIONS, BENIGN

General Information

DEFINITION--Noncancerous growths or areas of pigment or color change on the skin.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Skin.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

Benign skin lesions fall into the following categories:

• Tags--Soft, flesh-colored buds, often on stalks, found on the neck, armpits or groin.
• Moles--Flat or raised lesions with clearly defined borders. Moles may be black, blue, red, yellow or brown.
• Cherry spots--Pinhead-sized, bright-red lesions on the chest or back.
• Strawberry marks--Bright-red raised areas in infants that grow until they are removed.
• Keloids--Thick, pale, irregular growths that begin at the site of a scar and gradually increase in size.
• Dermatofibromas--Rounded nodules, usually brownish and usually on the legs.
• Freckles--Flat, brownish spots of pinhead-size or larger.

CAUSES--Unknown, but most people have a few benign skin lesions.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Family history of benign skin lesions.
• Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives (brownish, freckle-like patches only).

HOW TO PREVENT--To decrease freckles, avoid excessive sun exposure. Other forms cannot be prevented.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Rarely, skin biopsy (See Glossary).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Surgery to remove lesions that enlarge, bleed, change color, are slow to heal or are unsightly. (See Skin Lesion Removal in Surgery section.)
• Radiation treatment following removal of keloids to prevent their recurrence.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Malignant change in moles.
• Bleeding in strawberry marks.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Treatment is usually unnecessary because most skin lesions are harmless. Suspicious or unsightly lesions can be removed surgically. If the affected area is large or in a prominent place, plastic surgery may be necessary after removal.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Examine skin lesions--especially those that are constantly rubbed or irritated by clothing--regularly for signs of growth, color change, pain, infection or bleeding. (See Skin Self-exam in Appendix.)
• If a lesion is removed, cover the area with a clean dressing and protect against injury. Ointments are rarely needed.

MEDICATION--Medicine usually is not necessary for this disorder. Makeup may be helpful in covering unsightly blemishes.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

You have a skin lesion that enlarges, bleeds, changes color, is painful or doesn't heal.