What is that skin spot?
Learn how to recognise and treat these common conditions
We expect to see our skin change as we age, but that can mean more than wrinkles and dryness. Many spots are cosmetic annoyances, but others can indicate a risk of skin cancer and other conditions. Here are some of the most common skin problems to keep an eye out for.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanoses
WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE: Small, smooth, white spots on the shins and forearms.
WHO GETS THEM: They generally emerge in midlife but tend to manifest earlier in women than in men. These benign spots are caused by a decrease in melanin in the skin.
TREATMENT: These spots typically don’t require or respond well to treatment, but topical prescription medications may help improve their appearance; chemical peels and laser therapy may also help.
Seborrheic keratoses
WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE: Waxy, scaly growths that are flat or slightly elevated. They’re usually tan, brown or black and appear on the face, chest, shoulders or back.
WHO GETS THEM: While these can emerge at any time, you’re more likely to develop them after age 50 unless they run in your family. They are noncancerous, but since they sometimes resemble skin cancer, it’s a good idea to have a doctor check them out to make sure it’s nothing more serious. TREATMENT: Mainly a cosmetic issue, seborrheic keratoses don’t need to be removed, but if you prefer, your GP or dermatologist can get rid of them with liquid nitrogen, cauterize them, or scrape them off with a curette.
Skin tags
WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE: Fleshy growths, usually the same color as your skin or slightly darker. Most are small (1 to 5mm in diameter), but some can become the size of a pencil eraser or larger. They grow in areas that are frequently rubbed, such as the neck, armpits, groin and under the breasts. WHO GETS THEM: Up to half of adults will develop these tags and, for most people, they’re simply a cosmetic issue. But they can sometimes be associated with health conditions like prediabetes, so your GP may do a blood glucose test if you have a lot of them.
TREATMENT: You can try treating small ones with skin tag removal gadgets, sprays and liquids. For larger skin tags, it’s best to have your GP or a dermatologist snip, cauterise or freeze them off.
Cherry angiomas
WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE: Small, bright-red spots that may be flat or raised. They can develop anywhere but typically appear on the torso. WHO GETS THEM: Experts aren’t sure why people develop these harmless growths, which contain a proliferation of small blood vessels, but genetics may play a role. Most people have one or two cherry angiomas, but those who are genetically predisposed to them may have more. They’re mostly a cosmetic issue but may become swollen and feel uncomfortable if irritated by clothing or jewellery.
TREATMENT: Light cauterisation, laser therapy, and freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) are options. However, there’s a chance that removal may leave a mark, so it’s often best to leave them alone if they’re not bothering you.