Skin Growths

Skin growths are raised, thickened, or discolored spots or bumps. These growths may be benign (non-cancerous) or, in some cases, may develop into or signal a risk for skin cancer. Most growths are caused by sun exposure, aging, genetic factors, or friction on the skin. Common skin growths include seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, moles (nevi), cysts, cherry angiomas, and dermatofibromas.

• Seborrheic keratoses are waxy, stuck-on appearing growths that are usually brown, black, or tan. These often appear in middle-aged or older adults and are completely benign. Though they may look concerning, they are not cancerous and do not turn into skin cancer.
• Skin tags (acrochordons) are small, harmless raised tissue on a stalk. They are commonly found in skin folds such as the neck, under arms, groin and under the breasts and develop with age, and pregnancy. They are associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance and high blood pressure.
• Moles are pigmented spots that can appear anywhere on the body and are uniform in appearance. Some moles are raised and dome-shaped, while others are flat. Most are benign and appear in childhood or early adulthood. However, it is important to monitor moles for changes in size, shape, color, or sensation, as these may be signs of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer.
• Cysts are enclosed pockets of tissue filled with fluid or a semisolid substance. Epidermoid and pilar cysts are among the most common and often form on the back, axilla, or scalp. They frequently affect young and middle-aged people and develop after an inflamed hair follicle resolves. While generally harmless, cysts can become inflamed, infected, or painful and may require drainage or surgical removal.
• Cherry angiomas are small, red bumps that form due to overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin. They commonly appear on the trunk of the body and increase with age. These growths are not dangerous and typically do not need to be removed unless they bleed or for aesthetic reasons.
• Dermatofibromas are firm, small bumps that feel like a button under the skin. They often appear after minor skin injuries such as insect bites or nicking ones skin when shaving. These growths are benign but may persist long-term and can sometimes be itchy or tender.

Several factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing skin growths:

• Age: Many benign growths become more common with age.
• Friction or trauma: Repeated rubbing or minor injuries can trigger the formation of skin tags or dermatofibromas.
• Genetics: A family history of certain skin growths can make individuals more prone to developing them.
• Hormonal changes: Skin tags may increase during pregnancy or with metabolic conditions like insulin resistance.

Dr. Brian Hibler can diagnose most skin growths through a visual skin examination. In some cases, a dermatoscope, a special magnifying device, is used to assess pigmentation and structural features more closely. If there is any suspicion that a growth may be precancerous or cancerous, a skin biopsy may be recommended. This involves removing a small sample of the growth for microscopic examination to rule out malignancy.

While many skin growths are harmless, it is important to consult a dermatologist if you notice:

• Rapid changes in size, shape, or color of a mole
• New growths that appear after age 30
• Growths that bleed, itch, or become painful
• Any skin lesion that does not heal

A variety of removal modalities are available, depending on the type, number, and location of skin growths. Typical removal strategies include cryosurgery (liquid nitrogen spray), electrocautery, or snip/shave removal using anesthetic and a blade or scissors. In other cases, laser surgery may be performed to remove growths.