Written By Kara Masterson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Skin growths are a natural part of being human, but sometimes they can present an issue. Some common types of skin growths include moles, warts, and cysts. These growths are typically benign, but sometimes they can be precancerous or cancerous if not treated early.

If you notice any changes in the appearance of your skin that you think may be one of these growths, make sure to see your doctor or dermatologist, for example, someone like Advanced Dermatology of Northern California, right away. Discussed below are skin growths you should keep an eye on.

Moles

Moles are small, dark spots or growths that are usually flat. They can be flesh-colored, brown, or black. Moles may be round, oval, polypoid (lumpy), or flat and vary in size from a millimeter to several centimeters. Moles most commonly appear on the face and neck, but they can appear anywhere on the body.

If you're worried that your mole could be cancerous, make sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. It's important to get it checked out when it comes to any mole with colors other than flesh tone, especially those with colors such as pink, red, purple, blue, and green. These colors may indicate skin cancer.

Moles have been around since ancient times and are usually harmless. However, some moles could be precancerous or cancerous if not treated early.

Warts

Warts are small, flesh-colored bumps that grow on the body's surface. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the hands, feet, face, and genitals. Warts typically form in response to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are a few types of warts: common warts, plantar warts, and genital warts.

Cysts

A cyst is a fluid-filled structure that develops inside the skin or underneath it. Cysts are typically benign but can be precancerous or cancerous. They often develop on the scalp and face but can also form anywhere in your body.

They are often filled with pus and range in size from less than a centimeter to one meter or more. Cysts are painless, though they may cause discomfort if they become infected or burst.

If you notice any changes to the appearance of your skin, you should see your doctor right away as these changes could be signs of a cyst developing into something more serious such as cancer.

Finally, skin growths are a common phenomenon, so don’t be too surprised should you find any on you. Moles, warts, and cysts can easily be just harmless and annoying. However, it's still important to know the difference between benign growths and potential signs of skin cancer.

If you find yourself in a situation where you find a mole, wart, or cyst, still see your doctor for an examination just to make totally sure.

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Written By:

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She enjoys tennis and spending time with her family.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.