Skin Lesions: Types, Causes, and When to Seek Medical Advice

Skin is the largest organ on the body, and taking care of it is essential for good health. Looking over skin to check for changes or abnormalities is one of the best ways to spot any potential problems.

Any spots on the skin that look different from the surrounding skin are considered lesions. Many types of skin lesions are harmless, but sometimes a skin lesion can be a sign of a serious health issue like skin cancer.

What Are Skin Lesions?

Skin lesions are any patch of the skin with a different appearance from the surrounding skin.

Some lesions are flat, while others are raised. They may be pigmented or flesh-toned, and they vary in size, shape, and texture. Some skin lesions, such as hives or reactions to bug bites, are temporary. Others, like freckles or moles, can be permanent.

There are two major categories of skin lesions:

1. Primary skin lesions appear directly on the skin, without any connection to a pre-existing skin condition. Moles, age spots, pustules, and blisters are all primary skin lesions.
2. Secondary skin lesions occur due to changes to primary lesions. For example, if a pustule ruptures and crusts over while healing, the crusting would be considered a secondary lesion.

Benign (Harmless) Lesions

Most skin lesions are benign, meaning they won’t cause any health problems. Many types of benign lesions will heal with time, though some, like birthmarks, are present for your whole life.

Common benign skin lesions include:

• Moles or nevi are brown or black raised patches that appear on the skin. They may have hair growing out of them. Most moles never cause any issues, though they can become cancerous. If moles change color, get larger, or become itchy or painful, you should see a healthcare provider.
• Skin tags are small, stalk-like growths on the skin. They are usually flesh-colored or slightly darker than the surrounding skin.
• Seborrheic keratoses are common skin changes that look like small, slightly raised, waxy, or wart-like lesions.
• Cherry angiomas are tiny, bright red spots caused by clusters of blood vessels beneath the skin.
• Acne, commonly called pimples, occurs when clogged pores become inflamed.
• Freckles are dark spots that are level with the skin. They appear as the result of extra melanin accumulating in the area, often as a result of sun exposure.

Inflammatory and Infectious Lesions

Sometimes skin lesions are caused by a reaction to a virus or allergen. Common infectious or inflammatory lesions include:

• Contact dermatitis appears as a red, itchy rash with a bumpy or scaly texture.  It’s caused by allergens or irritants, such as exposure to poison ivy or poison oak, or common bug bites in Texas. It can also be caused by ingredients in everyday household products, including detergents or skincare products with heavy fragrances.
• Atopic dermatitis, commonly called eczema, is a chronic skin irritation that causes red, flaky patches on the skin. It can be triggered by exposure to allergens in the environment, such as pet dander, seasonal allergens like pollen, or other irritants.
• Warts are small, raised lesions caused by exposure to the HPV virus. They often appear on the hands or feet and look like smooth, dome-shaped bumps or appear rough with a cauliflower-like texture.
• Hives are red, itchy welts that appear suddenly on the skin. They are usually an indication of an allergic reaction to a food or medication.
• Molluscum contagiosum causes eruptions of small, painless bumps on the skin. It’s caused by exposure to the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), and it frequently appears in children. It usually goes away on its own.
• Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes the body to produce excessive skin cells, leading to scaly plaques on the skin. The lesions from psoriasis can be itchy or painful.

Potentially Malignant Lesions (Skin Cancer)

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer, affecting millions of people annually. Most skin cancers are highly treatable, especially if they are caught early.  Many skin cancers only affect the upper layers of the skin, and abnormal cells can be removed with a simple procedure.

More serious types of skin affect the deeper layers of the skin and require more significant treatment.

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting the top layer of skin cells. They may look like small, discolored bumps, which might have blue, brown, or black areas or growths with raised edges and a lower area in their center. Basal cell carcinomas can often be treated by removing the lesion with surgery.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. It affects cells in the lower part of the epidermis. They may look like a scaly red or dark patch, which might crust or bleed. They can also appear as raised growths, sometimes with a lower area in the center. They are unlikely to spread if detected early and can often be treated with surgery to remove the cancer.
• Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer. It can be aggressive and spread to other areas of the body, and may require treatment including radiation or chemotherapy.

The ABCDEs of identifying melanoma are:

• Asymmetry: A lesion that has an uneven shape.
• Border: The edges of the lesion are irregular or indistinct
• Color: The lesion has irregular coloring, varying between shades of ??tan, brown, or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.
• Diameter: The lesion is larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser.
• Evolving: The lesion changes in appearance.

If you notice any of the ABCDE signs, see a healthcare provider. You may need a biopsy to see if the lesion is a risk for skin cancer.

Signs of Skin Cancer

Common signs of skin cancer include:

• A wound that doesn’t heal after more than a week
• A new growth appearing on the skin
• Changes in size, color, or texture of an existing growth or mole
• Scaly, crusty, waxy, or oozing spots on the skin

What Causes Skin Lesions?

Different types of skin lesions have different causes, including environmental factors, infections, and genetic predispositions.

Environmental Factors

Sun exposure can trigger excess melanin production, leading to freckles, age spots, and other dark patches on the skin. Allergic reactions to plants, chemicals, or insect bites can cause lesions like hives or rashes.

Infections

Some infections can lead to skin lesions. Illnesses like chicken pox are caused by the herpes virus, leading to a characteristic red rash across the body. Fungal infections like ringworm can cause red, itchy patches on the skin.

Genetic and Hereditary Factors

Lesions like skin tags and cherry angiomas can run in families, with parents passing down a predisposition to their children.

Other Health Conditions

Systemic health issues and autoimmune diseases like psoriasis can cause symptoms that affect the skin. Changes like age, fluctuating hormones, and physical irritants like friction chafing can contribute to the development of some lesions.

When To Seek Medical Advice

If you have any lesions on your skin that you can’t explain, it’s wise to see a healthcare provider. It’s better to get a spot checked out and find out that it’s nothing than to wait and learn that the lesion is a sign of a more serious health condition. Illnesses, including those of the skin, are easier to treat when they are diagnosed early.

Need a Professional Opinion on a Skin Lesion?

Skin lesions are a common part of life, and getting prompt, appropriate medical attention can reduce the risk of serious health issues.

The healthcare providers at Next Level Urgent Care can answer your questions about skin lesions and create a treatment plan that manages any discomfort they cause.

Contact us today, walk into any of our 45+ clinic locations, or schedule or get in line through the Next Level mobile app today.