Common Skin Blemishes - Identify and Eliminate Common Skin Blemishes

Skin blemishes occur in many varieties, but few of us know exactly what a certain spot is, what causes it or what to do about it. The good news is that many are harmless and are relatively easy to treat. Read on to learn how to identify and eliminate common skin blemishes:

Age Spots

What They Are: Age spots are freckle-like signs of long-term sun damage that appear on areas of the body that are regularly exposed to sunlight, such as the face and back of the hands. They are usually flat, brown or black in shade, and around the size of a dime (or smaller). Most women start to develop them by their mid-to-late 30s. Women with a fair complexion are more likely to develop them than those who have darker skin.

How to Cope: While nothing will completely eliminate age spots, an over-the-counter skin cream containing retinol may help to lighten them. Wearing sunscreen on exposed areas may help prevent more from developing.

Skin Tags

What They Are: Skin tags are exactly what they sound like -- small extra bits of skin that hang off of seemingly random areas of the body (usually on the neck, armpit, eyelids or under the breasts). While no one is sure what causes them, they may be hereditary and are more likely to appear if you are overweight.

How to Cope: There is nothing you can -- or should -- do to eliminate a skin tag at home. A dermatologist can remove most skin tags rather easily. You should have a skin tag removed if it becomes irritated or it is otherwise bothersome to you.

Cherry Angioma

What They Are: Cherry angioma are small spots reddish or purplish in color that may be slightly raised or flat. They are comprised of a cluster of capillaries. They are more likely to appear as we age and may also be hereditary.

How to Cope: While they cannot be diminished at home, they can usually be removed by a dermatologist. In the meantime, a medium-weight cover-up stick in a shade similar to your skin tone or slightly darker may be used to cover them.

Seborrheic Keratosis

What it Is: Seborrheic keratosis (SK) typically resembles a waxy-surfaced mole. These spots are not caused by sun damage as you might think. The exact cause of SK is unknown, but it may be hereditary and is a very common problem among both men and women.

How to Cope: There is no effective at-home treatment for SK, but the spots can usually be removed by a dermatologist via freezing or shaving procedures.

If in Doubt, Check it Out

Since all of the blemishes explained in this article are not considered dangerous, treatment of them is unlikely to be covered by most insurance plans, as procedures done solely for cosmetic (appearance-related) reasons are not medically necessary. However, don’t let that keep you from seeing the doctor -- it can be difficult for lay people to identify exactly what a spot or blemish actually is. If in doubt, make an appointment. Unusual or changing spots or lesions can be a sign of serious health issues, including diabetes and melanoma.

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