When to see a dermatologist about a skin change

4 reasons to see a dermatologist about a skin change

It can be challenging to decide whether to see your regular doctor or a dermatologist about a skin condition.

But if you have a skin concern you are worried could be cancer, I believe you should see a board-certified dermatologist, even if it means waiting a little longer for an appointment. These physicians have passed a board exam in dermatology and are trained to diagnose skin cancers.

Here are some reasons to see a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening exam.

1. The spot follows the ABCDE rules

Use the ‘ABCDE’ rules to decide whether a mole is healthy or if you should visit a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening.

• Asymmetry: Does one side of the mole look different from the other?
• Border: Does the mole have a crooked, jagged or unusual border?
• Color: Is the mole more than one color?
• Diameter: Is the mole wider than 6 millimeters, or the size of a pencil eraser?
• Evolution: Has the mole grown, begun to feel different or changed shape or color recently?

RELATED: 5 things to know about raised moles

2. The spot hurts, itches, bleeds, or isn’t going away

The ABCDE rules are a good guideline for when to see a dermatologist about a mole, but it can be hard to know if a spot is a mole in the first place. Likewise, you may have a skin change that you don't think is a mole.

Here are some other reasons a skin change should prompt a visit to a dermatologist.

See a dermatologist if the spot:

• Hurts
• Bleeds
• Itches
• Isn’t going away

3. If the spot is an Ugly Duckling

If you notice a new spot and it looks like spots you already have, it’s probably not something to worry about as much. But see a dermatologist if the spot looks a lot different than other spots.

Sometimes, this skin change will simply be the first time you are seeing a normal skin condition. However, if the skin change doesn't have a brother or sister on your skin, it's more concerning to me than if it matches spots you already have. This is sometimes called the Ugly Duckling rule.

For example, a patient may notice a new crusty brown spot on their arm. If the spot looks like five other crusty brown spots on their arm, it's less worrisome to me than if it didn't match any of their other skin spots.

Another way to think about it? If you wrinkle your brow and think, “What on earth is that?” when you see a spot, that’s a sign to see a dermatologist.

4. If it is causing you to lose sleep with worry

If you are really worried about a skin change, that is reason enough to see a dermatologist. Sometimes, patients will come in about something that I can quickly tell is not harmful or even totally normal. When this happens, a patient may feel bad about having made an appointment or even think it was a waste of time. But, as a dermatologist, I promise you those appointments are never a waste of time. Not only can these appointments be reassuring for patients, but they also allow dermatologists to identify any skin cancer risk factors you may have and come up with a plan for managing them.

If you're losing sleep with worry about a medical concern, you should see a doctor about it. If a visit helps you sleep better, then that was a successful visit.

What to expect at a skin exam

During your appointment, you can choose to have a full body screening or only show the dermatologist the spot you are concerned about. I often prefer to do full-body exams because it allows me to examine all of a patient's skin. Sometimes the spot you are concerned about isn’t the one that ends up needing treatment.

A dermatologist will start by examining you with their eyes. Next, they may use a magnifying tool called a dermatoscope to take a closer look at a spot.

If your dermatologist finds a spot they are concerned about, they may perform a biopsy. This procedure involves numbing the skin and using a tool to take a small skin sample. Biopsies can usually be done in-office during your skin exam. Once a sample is removed, it is sent to the lab to be tested. Results normally come back within a week or so.

If your biopsy results show skin cancer, many can be treated with surgical removal that can be performed in a dermatologist’s office. However, some more advanced skin cancers will need treatment like immunotherapy, chemotherapy or radiation.

How quickly to see a dermatologist after a skin change

If you notice a skin change, you may be wondering how soon to visit a dermatologist. Is it an emergency, or something that can wait a bit?

If you are at high risk of skin cancer, you should visit a dermatologist yearly, even if you don’t have any skin changes.

If you have a skin change you are worried could be skin cancer, try to see a dermatologist as soon as possible.

In general, most skin cancers should be treated within 2 or 3 months of diagnosis; many aren’t so urgent that they need to be treated the next day. That means it isn’t uncommon for us to have patients who are diagnosed with skin cancer ask to schedule treatment after an upcoming event like a wedding or holiday.

Request an appointment at UT MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.