Skin cancer is all too common. In fact, approximately 99,780 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2023. The sooner skin cancer is detected, the better the prognosis is, which is why I have put together a post about some of the lesser-known symptoms of skin cancer.
If you spot any of these surprising symptoms of skin cancer, then you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.
New spots
Most people know that brown spots can be a sign of skin cancer, especially if the spot changes often, but what a lot of people do not know is that even sports that are not brown, if they are new, and especially if they change, can be a skin cancer symptom. So, if you have a pink or red spot that you never noticed before, seeing a dermatologist who may be able to remove it with cryotherapy is probably a good idea. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to potential cancers.
Itchy skin
If your skin is itching, you might think you have a mosquito bite or a spot of eczema, but itching can also be an albeit uncommon, symptom of skin cancer too. It’s caused by inflammation and it is typically accompanied by lesions, although that is not always the case, So, if you’re itching and you don’t know why, have it checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.
Dry skin
Many people who have skin cancer will develop dry, often scaly skin that is usually pink or red in appearance and which feels rough and gritty to the touch. These patches are often mistaken as eczema or psoriasis, but if you have never suffered from either before nf you notice lots of new patches of dry, scaly skin, particularly on parts of your body that are likely to be exposed to the sun, it could be skin cancer and you should have an experienced dermatologist check it out.
Scratches and scrapes that don’t heal
It’s not unusual to develop scratches and scrapes – the cat will get cranky and scratch you or you’ll fall over and scrape your knees – but if you have scratches and scrapes on your body and you do not know how you got them, and if those scratches and scrapes do not heal as they normally would, then it could be an indicator that you may have skin cancer.
They could be basal cell or squamous carcinomas, and if that is the case, having them removed sooner, rather than later, will give you your best chance of a healthy outcome.
Dark nails
If you have noticed a dark stripe on your finger or toenails then you need to see a doctor because, the skin under your nails can be infected with cancer too, and dark stripes are often the first sign, along with changes in nail shape. See a dermatologist just to be safe.
Spot any of these skin cancer warning signs? Speak to a healthcare professional today!
