Health Information
Skin Cancer, Nonmelanoma
When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor if you have an irritated or irregular skin growth. This includes any:
- Firm, pearly bump with tiny blood vessels that look spidery (telangiectasias).
- Red, tender, flat spot that bleeds easily.
- Small, fleshy bump with a smooth, pearly appearance, often with a depressed center.
- Smooth, shiny bump that may look like a mole or Reference cyst Opens New Window.
- Patch of skin, especially on the face, that looks like a scar and is firm to the touch.
- Bump that itches, bleeds, crusts over, and then repeats the cycle and has not healed in 3 weeks.
- Change in a mole or a skin growth, including a change in size, shape, or color.
- Area of normal skin that quickly changes shape or appearance.
Be sure to show your doctor any skin growths that concern you so that they can be evaluated and treated if needed.
Who to see
Health professionals who can examine and diagnose a suspicious skin growth include:
- Reference Family medicine physicians Opens New Window.
- Reference Dermatologists Opens New Window.
- Reference Nurse practitioners Opens New Window.
- Reference Physician assistants Opens New Window.
- Reference Internists Opens New Window.
- Reference Pediatricians Opens New Window.
Doctors who can remove a large skin growth or one in a noticeable area while minimizing scars that may result from surgery include:
- Reference Dermatologists Opens New Window.
- Reference Plastic or reconstructive surgeons Opens New Window.
- Reference General surgeons Opens New Window.
- Reference Head and neck surgeons Opens New Window.
- Reference Radiation oncologists Opens New Window.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Reference Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 2, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Amy McMichael, MD - Dermatology |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
