Sunspots Vs. Skin Cancer: How to Spot the Difference

• Posted on: Jul 15 2017
• By: Barry Goldman MD

One of the best things you can do for your skin is to be in tune with it and be able to identify something new or any changes. By performing monthly skin cancer checks on yourself, you will be able to identify any new moles, growths, or changes in your skin— making it easier to catch an abnormality like skin cancer. When doing a self-check, however, you may come across sunspots which you may mistake for something like skin cancer. To help you differentiate between the two, we have created a brief article. Read on to learn more.

Sun Spots

Sun spots are spots across areas of your body that have been more exposed to the sun like your face, hands, arms, and shoulders. If you have a sun spot, it will likely fit into one of the following three categories:

• Cherry hemangiomas: Caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin, cherry hemangiomas are tiny red dots on the skin.
• Seborrheic keratoses: Linked to skin tags, this type of sunspot is often mistaken for a wart because it is raised above the skin.
• Lentigines: This type of sunspot is the kind that is most often mistaken for skin cancer. Typically dark in color and the size of an eraser or larger, lentigines are similar to freckles and are often referred to as “age spots” or “liver spots.”

Skin Cancer

In the early stages, skin cancer can look similar to seborrheic keratoses or even lentigines. To help you narrow down whether or not you have skin cancer, look for a change in color, size, texture, or any sudden changes such as itching, bleeding, or pain. Remember that it’s never too early to detect skin cancer so if you are concerned about an area on your skin, contact Dr. Barry Goldman today.

When you are conducting a self-examination, it can be hard to differentiate between sunspots and skin cancer. However, by using some of the information listed above, hopefully, you can have an easier time. To learn more about sun spots and skin cancer, contact Dr. Barry Goldman’s office today!

Posted in: Skin Cancer