7 Skin Changes That Probably Aren’t Cancer But Still Need Attention

Adults of any age can develop psoriasis, a skin disease with a strong genetic underpinning that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red or purplish skin (depending on your skin tone) with silvery scales. “I have seen people who never had psoriasis until they were 94 years old,” Jorizzo says.

Distinguishing eczema from psoriasis is important because treatments and complications differ. For example, some people with skin psoriasis develop a related form of arthritis, Lipner says, and need treatment for both their skin and joints.

Very dry, itchy skin also can be a sign of kidney disease, but it typically develops in the late stage of the condition, when people are sick enough to need dialysis or a transplant.

3. Persistent bruising

Bumping your arm and getting a bruise that goes away in a few days is no cause for concern. And bruising is more common as we age and our skin becomes more fragile, Lipner says. But she adds that persistent, easy bruising sometimes points to a problem with blood clotting. It’s worth a visit to a health care provider to figure out the cause, she notes. The list of suspects could include blood thinners and certain blood cancers.

4. Acne or acne-like bumps

Adults do get acne. It’s especially common in women going through the hormonal changes of menopause, Lipner says. It’s a treatable condition at any age.

But many adults who think they have acne actually have another condition called rosacea, Jorizzo points out. Rosacea typically shows up as visible blood vessels and red pus-filled bumps over the nose and cheeks. People with rosacea also may have gritty-feeling eyes. The hallmark of the condition is flushing over the face that happens when the “brain feels that you are too warm,” Jorizzo says. Triggers can include hot beverages, alcohol, spicy food, hot showers, exercise and strong emotions.

While there’s no cure for rosacea, people can learn to manage it and reduce symptoms.

5. Rashes on your feet

Any unexplained rash should get your attention, especially if it is widespread or comes with fever or pain. Allergic reactions and infections are common causes. But lingering rashes on your feet may be easy to miss or ignore until they really cause trouble.

One big problem has a mild-sounding nickname: athlete’s foot. It’s a fungal infection that can cause irritated patches, often starting between the toes. Left untreated, the infection can spread to toenails, which are more difficult to treat. The infection can cause open sores, which are especially dangerous in people with diabetes, Jorizzo says. An infection that starts out as a minor nuisance can cascade to a foot amputation, he cautions. The earlier that a foot or toenail infection is treated, the better, Jorizzo and Lipner stress.

6. Flat, dark spots all over your skin

The good news is that the flat spots or blotches proliferating on your hands, back, chest or elsewhere almost certainly are not skin cancer. You may know them as age or liver spots, but dermatologists call them solar lentigines. They are usually tan or brown and are most common in people with fair skin.

If you have a lot of them, your skin is telling you something important, Lipner says: “It’s a sign that you’ve had a lot of cumulative sun exposure over the years … and that contributes to skin aging and to the risk of skin cancer.” It’s never too late to reduce your risk for premature wrinkles, skin cancer and more age spots by using sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing clothes and hats that cover your skin, Lipner and Jorizzo say.

People with many solar lentigines also should stay alert for possible skin cancers in the same areas, Jorizzo says. Especially suspicious, he says, is any “ugly duckling” spot that looks very different from surrounding spots. A dermatologist can do a full-body skin exam periodically to look for worrisome spots.​

7. Large or irritated skin tags

Skin tags are fleshy growths attached to thin stalks that tend to crop up in areas where your skin rubs against other skin or clothing, such as the armpits, under the breasts or on your neck. They are usually harmless. But if they get infected or inflamed, or if a skin tag on an eyelid is affecting your vision, dermatologists say you should seek medical help and have them safely removed. You also should check with your doctor if you suddenly develop a lot of skin tags, since that can be a sign of certain rare conditions, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Even if you just find a skin tag unsightly, it’s best to seek medical advice. Although doctors concede that sometimes consumers safely remove small tags by themselves using small sterile scissors, string or other means, dermatologists use safer methods, including freezing and surgical removal, to relieve you of larger tags or any that look unusual enough to prompt a biopsy to rule out cancer. The FDA recently warned consumers not to buy removal kits that contain high concentrations of salicylic acid or other harmful ingredients from several online sellers.