Skinrepublic

Jennifer Toledo Tan, MD

Dear Dr. Jen,

I had a wart on my back that was cauterized eight years ago.  But it still came back.  I am worried I have skin cancer.  What are the danger signs I should watch out for?

Mikee

Dear Mikee,

Before pushing the panic button on skin cancer, you will have to have your back checked for the growth.  You see, moles or birthmarks (or lympangiomas) often do not respond to cautery.  Cautery usually involves a very superficial removal of the upper skin layers.  Moles and other non-wart lesions involve the deeper layers.  If the root is not removed, then it will likely continue growing even after the top part is removed.

There are five simple things (ABCDEs) to remember when assessing cancerous moles.  "A" is asymmetry.  When you draw an imaginary line across a mole, bad moles are not mirror images of each other.  When ("B") borders are uneven, then it is also considered a bad mole.  If the ("C") color is not one kind, meaning it has different shades within the mole, then it is another warning sign.  Diameter ("D") of moles bigger than 6 mm is also considered not good.  Lastly, ("E") evolution or changes that include itching, bleeding, and sudden growth are also suspicious changes you should be worried about.

I hope these simple ABCDEs of dangerous signs can guide you if a PDS dermatologist is not readily available in your area.  However to put your mind at ease, it is still best to have it checked.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I poked a whitehead on my tummy several weeks ago.  And some pus come out.  My company doctor gave me some antibiotics which made the pus disappear.  However, there is still a bump and some redness.  I think there is still something inside.  What is the best way to have it removed?

Jan

Dear Jan,

If there was some pus and inflammation involved, there can still be some scar tissue forming underneath.  This feels like a hardened bump when you touch it lightly. This will just go away if you are not a keloid former.  To prevent exuberant scar formation, you can have the lesion injected with triamcinolone once the scar isn't fresh anymore.

But if there was a sebaceous cyst or some other cyst that produced a tract to the upper layers of the skin, the "whitehead" may have been an underdiagnosis.  Cysts generally need complete excision for complete removal.

Make sure not to wear tight clothing over the area.  Avoid scratching or poking it to prevent further injury.  If it still doesn't calm down after a few days, head on over to your doctor and have it checked.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). For information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/. For questions or concerns, please text to: 0932 857 7070; or email to: [email protected]; or call The Freeman: (032) 2531276, or PSH: (032) 233 8620 and 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.