Skin conditions may increase with age

April 18, 2013

Q. My skin has all kinds of small thingies on it like my father used to have. My doctor checks them out and says they are all harmless. But, what exactly are they?

As we age, most of us start sprouting an array of unwanted growths. Let’s go over the common ones:




Telangiectasia: These are dilated facial blood vessels.

Skin tags: These are bits of skin that project outward. They may be smooth or irregular, flesh colored or more deeply pigmented. They can either be raised above the surrounding skin or have a stalk so the tag hangs from the skin. They are benign.

Now we get into the cancers of the skin.



Melanomas: Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanomas can spread to other organs and can be fatal. They usually appear as dark brown or black mole-like growths with irregular borders and variable colors. They usually arise in a pre-existing mole or other pigmented lesion.



Check your skin often. Look for changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots. And don’t be reluctant to go to a doctor whenever you see anything on your skin that you suspect might be a problem.

Dermatologists recommend that, if you are a fair-skinned senior, you should get a full-body skin exam once a year. This kind of checkup isn’t a bad idea for any senior.