Chad Weaver, MD, Winona Health Dermatologist Erin Hanson, CNP, Winona Health Dermatology
Have you ever noticed something on your skin and thought to yourself, “Was that there before?” or “Did that always look like that?”
It’s important to keep an eye on changes to your skin. We recommend you do a self-check on your skin every month – make it part of your routine, just like flossing your teeth or exercising. Look over your entire body, including your back, scalp, palms, soles and between your toes. Use mirrors to check areas you can’t see – or tap your partner or ask your bestie to check the places you can’t see – and of course, offer to do the same for them.
When you notice a mole or spot, use the ABCDE rule, which outlines the warning signs of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer that should be treated as soon as possible:
- A stands for ASYMMETRY. One half of the spot is unlike the other half.
- B stands for BORDER. The spot has an irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.
- C stands for COLOR. The spot has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.
- D stands for DIAMETER. While melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
- E stands for EVOLVING. The spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.
If you notice a mole or other spot on your skin with any of the warning signs above or that:
- Is changing or might look different than before.
- Is somewhat painful, itchy or bleeds easily.
- Doesn’t heal or that constantly reoccurs.
Schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We’ll get you in without the wait.
Skin check: What to expect If there is a specific spot that looks concerning or that is bothering you for any reason, we can focus on that, or we can do a full-body exam.
For a full-body skin exam, we’ll ask you to undress and put on a gown – leaving undergarments on if you prefer. Then, using a small, magnified light source, called a dermatoscope, we’ll look at each part of your skin from your scalp to soles of your feet. The dermatoscope allows us view spots more closely and in greater detail. For people who are especially modest, it might help to remember that we’re not looking at your body, we’re looking at your skin!
If we find a mole or spot of concern, we’ll take a picture of it for your medical record. Then, with your permission, we’ll numb the area and do a skin biopsy – that means taking a little skin tissue and sending it to our pathologist for identification. We’ll contact you with the results and to discuss any follow-up care if necessary.
As with other health-related issues, when it comes to caring for your skin, the best decision is to be proactive in getting issues checked out early – before they become more difficult to treat.
Have a concern? Give us a call. We’ll get you in – without the wait!
To schedule an appointment with the Winona Health Dermatology department, call 507.457.7674.
Chad Weaver, MD
Erin Hanson, CNP
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