When To Worry About Skin Blemishes

Skin blemishes come in all forms from freckles to skin tags. Most of these blemishes are utterly harmless and completely normal. Some blemishes like spots or dryness may even be able to be eradicated through a good skincare routine. However, there can be other times when skin blemishes may be a sign of danger (such as melanomas, hematomas and infections). In other cases, small blemishes may suggest the beginning of a skin disorder, which may be challenging to live with if allowed to continuously get worse (such as psoriasis or acne). In most cases, catching problems early allows for more easy treatment. Below are just a few questions to ask yourself to determine whether a blemish is really worth worrying about.

Is it painful or itchy?

If a mark on your skin is itchy or painful, then it’s probably something that you want to get checked out. You may want to wait a couple days in case it subsides (accidentally chafing a mole could make it painful until it heals), however if the pain or itchiness continues for longer than a week, you probably shouldn’t ignore it. Even bruises can sometimes be worth worrying about: it’s not normal to be sore for weeks after an accident - a bruise that is dark in color and still achy could be a hematoma. Continuous pain could be a sign of an infection or even a bone fracture beneath the skin. 

Is it growing or changing quickly?

Skin blemishes may change in size and shape over time, but this change is usually gradual. If a mole or a lump is seemingly growing larger by the day or rapidly changing shape, you should get it looked at by a doctor. In the rare case that you may have skin cancer, it’s much better to catch it early so that it can be more easily treated before it spreads. It’s worth noting that blemishes can grow and change shape rapidly without being harmful.

Does it have an uneven shape or coloration?

Your average mole is round and evenly colored. If it’s got a jagged outline and it’s blotchy in appearance, then it may be something to be more concerned about. This is particularly the case if it’s also growing or changing shape at a rapid pace.

Is it weeping/crusting and not healing?

It’s possible to scratch a mole or a spot and cause bleeding. This should heal after a couple weeks. If it doesn’t, then it could be something worth seeing a doctor about. If a skin blemish has gone a yellow crusty colour or is weeping pus, then you should definitely see a doctor as you may have an infection (inflamed red skin around the blemish and a fever are also signs that it’s likely an infection). Mosquito bites are the most common sources of skin infections. A doctor may be able to offer a prescription of antibiotics to help rid you of the infection. 

Should I see a doctor?

When in doubt, it’s best to talk to a doctor. If a doctor cannot immediately tell what it is, they may recommend you to a dermatologist who may be able to diagnose it or take a skin graft to find the answer. Most skin issues turn out to be harmless, but it’s always better to be safe.