Checking your skin regularly is important for early detection of skin cancer and other skin conditions. Here's how you can check your skin:
Skin Self-Exam:
- Familiarize yourself with your skin: Take time to learn the normal patterns of your moles, freckles, and other markings.
- Use a mirror: Carefully examine your entire body, including areas that are hard to see, like your back and scalp. You may need to use a hand mirror to help.
- Look for any changes: Pay attention to new moles or changes in existing ones, including size, shape, color, or texture.
- Know the ABCDEs of melanoma: This is a helpful acronym to remember the characteristics of melanoma:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other.
- Border: The edges are irregular, notched, or blurred.
- Color: The color is uneven, with shades of brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: The mole is larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
- Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
Professional Skin Exams:
- Schedule regular visits with a dermatologist: They can examine your skin thoroughly and can identify any suspicious moles or lesions.
- Consider a full-body skin exam: This is recommended for people with a family history of skin cancer or those who have had excessive sun exposure.
Additional Tips:
- Check your skin after a shower or bath: This is when your skin is most hydrated and easier to examine.
- Use good lighting: Make sure you have enough light to see your skin clearly.
- Be aware of any new or changing symptoms: These can include itching, flaking, bleeding, or pain.
Remember:
- Early detection is key to treating skin cancer.
- If you notice any changes in your skin, don't hesitate to see a doctor.
