Skin Health in depth

Basal cell carcinoma forms in the outer layer of the skin called the epidermis. There is some debate about which cells the cancer originates, but recent research points to epidermal stem cells as the culprit. The cancer was named after basal cells located in the lower part of the epidermis as the cancer cells look like basal cells under a microscope. Read further about where Basal Cell Carcinoma originates.

Doctors often get asked how melanoma is diagnosed. Before a biopsy or a physical exam, they will typically ask about your symptoms. They might ask you when your mole or growth first appeared if it is bleeding, oozing, crusting or painful, or if it has evolved or changed over time.

The appearance of white spots on skin indication a loss of pigmentation, which can be the result of a number of skin conditions. The prime concern for the majority of sufferers is the aesthetics of this condition because cosmetically, white spots on skin can be a very obvious condition. However, it is vital to understand whether such changes are symptoms of an underlying or serious skin complaint. Recognising any changes in your skin is key to minimising the risk of skin cancer and other related serious complaints.

The majority of the population in the world has them: moles. Skin moles are therefore not dangerous by itself, but that could change over time. As moles remain a mystery to most of us, and we get a lot of questions about them, we take a closer look to this phenomenon that appears on our body. Some moles are there when we are born while others will appear later in life: does this make a difference in regards to risk? Let’s take a look.

Our skin sometimes seems to have a will of its own. While we try to take good care of our skin to make it smooth and looking healthy, skin lesions or other anomalies may appear. There are quite a few skin lesions that could occur on your skin, and while some of them pose a threat – the majority can be dealt with pretty easily. Let’s take a look at the different skin lesions that are common, and what they mean for your skin.

It is important to recognize and have a medical assessment on any changes to your skin to minimize the risk of any serious complaints such as skin cancer or melanoma. Red spots on skin can be unsightly and accompanied by a number of other complaints and so it is vital to seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity to ensure that any conditions can be effectively and quickly treated.

There are a lot of different skin types. Some of them are more sensitive or pose a higher risk for skin diseases. Others might need a lot more taking care of, which is the case with combination skin. Combination skin is basically a mix of different skin types, and it is common for both men and women. So how to deal with this kind of skin?

If you see a new spot or new mole on your body that is itchy, feels painful or bleeds, get it checked out immediately by your doctor. The symptoms of melanoma skin cancer vary tremendously so it’s important to make sure any blemish or irregular-looking mole is investigated and treated.

Are moles dangerous? In and of themselves, moles are not dangerous. A mole is just an area of skin with extra pigment. The pigment gathers in a rounded shape, which is sometimes raised, and this is the mole.

Of the three types of skin cancers that you can develop, melanomas are the most dangerous, but also the rarest. If you develop one, it is because the DNA of your skin has been damaged and is unable to repair itself. The unrepaired skin cells mutate and multiply rapidly leading to malignant tumours. But that’s not all about melanoma development.