What are the five most common unwanted benign skin growth?
Many people around the world are affected by different types of benign skin growths. Here at OC MedDerm, Dr Shafa can help you with the 5 most common types…
- Cherry Angioma (Red Moles)
- Dermatofibroma
- Sebaceous Hyperplasia
- Seborrheic Keratosis and
- Acrochordon (Skin Tags)
Cherry Angioma (Red Moles)
Cherry angiomas, also known as Campbell De Morgan spots or Senile angiomas, are a noncancerous (benign) skin growth made up of blood vessels. They are fairly common skin growths that vary in size. They can occur almost anywhere on the body, but usually develop on the trunk.
Cherry Angioma are most common after age 30. The cause is unknown, but they tend to be inherited (genetic).
Dermatofibroma
Dermatofibromas, or histiocytomas, are common noncancerous (benign) skin growths. They are firm to hard, and they are skin-colored or slightly pigmented. Dermatofibromas can be tender. These lesions usually persist for life, and they may heal as depressed scars after several years. Dermatofibromas frequently occur on the leg, usually as a single firm, raised pink to brown bump.
Occasionally, dermatofibromas found in large numbers in grouped or linear clusters are seen in association with immune disturbances, such as leukemia, HIV, and lupus.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common harmless enlargement of the skin oil glands. Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common, benign condition of sebaceous glands in adults of middle age or older. They features skin-colored to yellow-white elevations of the skin that are often seen on the forehead. They can occur as a natural response to the maternal hormones of pregnancy and usually resolve on their own within a few weeks after delivery.
Sebaceous hyperplasia occasionally also occurs on the chest, areola, mouth, scrotum, foreskin, shaft of penis, and vulva.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratoses are common benign growths of unknown cause seen in adults due to a thickening of an area of the top skin layer.
These benign skin lesions that don’t ever turn into cancer, seborrheic keratoses, or Seb K’s for short, can look dangerous. In reality they are just annoying. Also irreverently called barnacles, they come in all different shapes and sizes from large black growths to barely noticeable raised areas.
Seborrheic Keratosis can appear in various colors, from light tan to black. They are round or oval, feel flat or slightly elevated (like the scab from a healing wound), and range in size from very small to more than and inch across.
Acrochordon (Skin Tags)
A “skin tag” is a common, possibly inherited condition that manifests as small, flesh-colored growths on a thin stalk. Skin tags are benign lesions that can sometimes become irritated or traumatized.
Acrochordon are normally benign skin growth that can grow on various parts of the body and is usually either smooth or has a wrinkly appearance. Skin tags commonly grow on or around the armpit, groin folds, on the chest and under the breasts.