Blood vessels
(Telangiectasias)
Fungal infections of
skin, nail, and hair
Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from the pigmented cells of the skin, called melanocytes. Melanocytes also exist in the eyes and leptomeninges (part of your spinal cord) in addition to the skin. It is the most serious type of skin cancer and as with all cancers, early detection is key. Risk factors for developing melanoma include sun exposure, particularly during childhood, fair skin that burns easily, history of blistering sunburn(s), personal or family history of melanoma, large numbers of moles (especially if there are more than 100), and history of abnormal moles (called dysplastic nevi). It is recommended that if you have any risk factors, that you undergo periodic full body skin screenings and your dermatologist will recommend how often. You should also perform self- exams and dermatologists will often recommend using the ABCDEs of checking moles as a rule of thumb.
A: is the mole asymmetrical?
B: is the border of the mole irregular or blurry or not well demarcated?
C: is the color of the mole black or is it darker than the rest of your moles?
Does it have different colors within the mole?
D: is the diameter of the mole larger than 6mm or a standard pencil eraser?
E: evolution: is the mole changing?
Please note that this is a gross rule of thumb but if you answered yes to any of the above, you should have your moles checked by a dermatologist. It is highly recommended that every new patient to Vanguard Dermatology undergo a full body skin screening whether or not they have any risk factors. In addition, your dermatologist will give advice on proper sun protection including sun protective clothing and sunscreens.