{"id":2366,"date":"2018-08-14T04:04:47","date_gmt":"2018-08-14T04:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2366"},"modified":"2021-03-19T15:13:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T15:13:08","slug":"11-melanoma-symptoms-to-catch-in-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/11-melanoma-symptoms-to-catch-in-time\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Melanoma Symptoms to Catch in Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When it comes to being exposed to the sun, most of us now have a handle on what we should do when we are going to be outside in it for a long period of time. Wearing sunscreen, covering up, and avoiding sunburns are something that everyone tries to do. However, even if you take the necessary precautions, skin cancer may still develop. One of the issues with skin cancer is that there are some symptoms of the disease that are often overlooked.<\/p>\n

If you understand what you should be looking for and monitor your skin closely for any changes, you improve your chances of catching melanoma during the beginning stages. The longer that you wait, the deadlier the disease becomes. Since you do not want this to happen, it is important to know the signs and symptoms. Here are 11 common melanoma symptoms to watch for so that you catch the disease earlier.<\/p>\n

1. Flat Dark Moles<\/h3>\n

When it comes to moles that appear on the skin, most people think that the only ones that they need to worry about are those that are bumpy or raised. Concern seems to rise when a mole seems to grow bigger or change color. While these are causes for concern, it is also important to know that those bumpy moles are not always the ones that you need to be concerned about. The moles that are flat and dark are often more concerning than those raised and bumpy ones.<\/p>\n

Many people have gone to see the dermatologist<\/a> with concerns about a large mole located somewhere on their body only to find out that is not the problem, but the smaller, flat, dark colored mole is a concern. Make sure that you are checking your entire body regularly and look for any moles that are dark and flat and newly formed. <\/p>\n

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2. Bumps on the Skin<\/h3>\n

A bumpy mole is not necessarily going to be the one that is cancerous. However, if you have some moles that are bumpy and have grown in size, it is important to make sure that you point them out to your doctor. There are some types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, that will form raised bumps on the skin.<\/p>\n

If you feel that there is anything different or abnormal on your skin, make sure that you point it out to your doctor. When it comes to melanoma<\/a> it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. Any type of weird looking bump, no matter what color the bump is or what size it is, you need to make sure to have your doctor look it over to ensure that it is nothing to worry about. If it is questionable, your doctor will be able to run some tests to see what is causing it. <\/p>\n

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3. Moles on the Feet<\/h3>\n

When people think about melanoma, chances are that they think of sun exposure as being the main cause. While exposure to the sun is a cause of melanoma, there are some areas of the body that may be at risk as well, even if they rarely see any sunlight. It is important to pay attention to all areas of the body when checking for moles and signs of melanoma.<\/p>\n

This includes the bottoms of your feet. If you notice moles on the bottom of your feet or in between the toes, it is important to have them checked by your doctor. While this area may not see sunlight directly very often, it is still possible for skin cancer to develop in these areas. Under the underwear is another location to consider when checking your skin<\/a> for signs of melanoma. If you notice anything unusual in any of these areas, have it checked out as soon as possible. <\/p>\n

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\"\"4. Eczema<\/h3>\n

There are some people who simply have sensitive skin. Eczema<\/a> is typically noted as areas of the skin that become red, scaly, often dry, and it could be very itchy. If you have patches of dry, scaly skin, it could in fact simply be eczema. However, these patches of red skin may also be the sign that something else is wrong. There are certain types of skin cancers that often appear to look just like eczema or even psoriasis.<\/p>\n

These types of skin cancer may appear to be simply red scaly patches. The difference between the patches that are skin cancer and those that are from psoriasis or eczema is that these red, scaly patches simply do not go away. If you have developed a red scaly rash on the skin and it does not go away, you want to make sure that you have it checked out right away as it could be a sign that there is something more serious going on. <\/p>\n

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\"\"5. Bug Bites<\/h3>\n

During those warm summer months it is quite common for a person to become covered in bug bites. Typically, these bites will be bothersome for a bit and then will simply go away. It is important to take note of any of these bites that you may have as there are some forms of melanoma that may appear to be bug bites, but are actually cancerous.<\/p>\n

If you develop red bumps on the skin that look like large pimples<\/a> or resemble mosquito bites, make sure to keep an eye on them. If they do not go away after about a month, make sure that you go to your doctor right away to have them checked out. Any type of bite, pimple, or injury to an area of the skin should heal within a month or less. If it is cancer, the red bump will simply not heal or go away and it is important to have a doctor look at it to determine what may be the cause. <\/p>\n

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\"\"6. Bleeding Moles or Bumps<\/h3>\n

It is common to scratch a bump that develops on your skin. After all, many times these bumps are bites that become itchy<\/a> and the natural response is to scratch them. The same can be said for certain types of moles. If you have a mole that becomes itchy, it could be a sign that there is something wrong. If you ever scratch a bump or a mole and it bleeds easily, you need to tell your doctor right away and have it checked out.<\/p>\n

Anything that is on the skin that bleeds easily is an instant red flag and should be checked out by a medical professional. While bleeding is not necessarily always a bad thing, it is definitely a signal that should not be ignored as it can be a sign of a developing cancer. Make sure that you tell your doctor about any abnormalities on the skin that you may be experiencing. <\/p>\n

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\"\"7. Moles that Grow or Change Shape<\/h3>\n

When it comes to the health of your skin it is important to know your body well. You will want to make sure that you take note of any moles that you have on your skin<\/a> and their size. Monitoring your freckles and moles for signs that they may be changing is one of the best things that you can do when it comes to detecting melanoma and other forms of skin cancer early.<\/p>\n

If a mole on your body appears to change color, becomes a different shape, or gets larger in size or appearance, it is a good idea to have it checked out by a medical professional. A mole that changes color, size, or shape could be a sign that there is an underlying issue with the skin. It is important to tell your doctor exactly how it has changed. You may want to keep pictures of any moles that you have in order to be able to note changes that may occur. <\/p>\n

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8. Waxy Bumps<\/h3>\n

Another early sign of developing skin cancer are bumps that are translucent or pearly looking. While these waxy translucent bumps do not necessarily mean that you have developed skin cancer, they can be a sign of it. There are some forms of skin cancer that present with an area of the skin that becomes quite pale. It may even appear to be waxy or smooth. Most people only concern themselves with dark moles that change or areas of the skin that become red and itchy.<\/p>\n

However, there are some types of skin lesions<\/a> that come in the form of a translucent bump as opposed to the normal lesions people are used to seeing when they think about melanoma. If you notice an area of your skin that has a translucent bump, make sure that you show it to your doctor as soon as possible in order to get a proper diagnosis. <\/p>\n

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\"\"9. New Scars<\/h3>\n

There are numerous ways to scar your skin. Perhaps you fall off of your bike and scrape your leg or maybe you are shaving and nick yourself. These scars are all normal and explainable. However, in certain types of melanoma a person may notice a scar on their skin that they simply do not know how it got there. There are certain types of skin cancer<\/a> that will sometimes look as if there is a scar on the skin.<\/p>\n

If you do not know how that scar got on the skin, make sure that you let your doctor know. Once again, it is important to make sure that you are vigilant in your checks over your body. Knowing where all of your moles and marks are on your body can help you determine if any changes are occuring. While there are some normal changes to the skin that are to be expected, ones that are not explainable should be checked. <\/p>\n

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10. Quickly Appearing Growths<\/h3>\n

As you are checking over your skin it is important to note all of the little bumps and moles<\/a> that are there. If you are looking over your skin and notice that there is a bump there that was not there a few weeks before, make sure that you take note of it. There are some types of melanoma that can cause growths under the skin to appear quite quickly.<\/p>\n

Any time you feel a new bump when you are looking and feeling your skin, it is worth noting and discussing with your doctor. Melanoma can appear quite quickly and you will want to make sure that you catch the growth as soon as possible. Making sure that you catch the signs of melanoma early offers one of the best ways to make sure that you get rid of the cancer as quickly as possible before it spreads into other areas of the body.<\/p>\n

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\"\"11. Coloring<\/h3>\n

The skin is the largest organ on the body. This means that keeping track of it all can be quite difficult. However, it is important to do your best in order to watch for any areas that have changed in color. There are several types of skin cancer that are notorious for changing the color of the skin. Melanoma will typically be brown or black in color, but it can also be skin colored or even pink.<\/p>\n

Make sure that you are carefully monitoring the color of your skin as well as any moles that appear on the body. Noting the colors and any changes in them can be a good way to detect the signs of skin cancer early. Early detection is the key when it comes to melanoma as this is the best possible way to make sure that it is taken care of quickly and does not cause other health<\/a> issues.<\/p>\n\r\n

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