With spring around the corner it’s important to get a baseline for your skin’s health before you step out into the warm sun. Doing a regular self skin check is a great way to stay on top of your skin’s health and notice any concerning changes.
How to Perform a Skin Self Exam
A skin self-exam involves systematically examining your entire body for skin changes that could be warning signs of the most common skin cancers.
Warning signs include:
• A spot, sore, shiny bump or nodule, scaly lesion or wart-like growth that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, ooze, or bleed.
• An open sore or wound that does not heal within 2-3 weeks.
• A white, yellow, or waxy scar-like area, a reddish patch, or irritated skin.
Be on the lookout for moles that appear after the age of 21. Any new skin growth, beauty mark, mole, brown spot, wound, or sore that doesn’t heal can be cause for concern; consult your physician if you have questions.
1. Examine your body in a full-length mirror: Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.
2. Look at your underarms, forearms, and palms: Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, underarms, and palms.
3. Look at your legs, between toes, and soles of your feet: Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.
4. Use a hand mirror to examine your neck and scalp: Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look.
5. Use a hand mirror to check your back and buttocks
