SEBORRHEIC KERATOSES

Seborrheic keratoses are common, harmless, wart-like growths. They usually begin to appear in the 30s and 40s, and increase in number with advancing age. The individual lesions may grow slowly in size and thickness, and look as though they were stuck on to the surface of the skin. They can appear anywhere on the skin. The cause of the seborrheic keratoses is not known. Many people have relatives with them and some people have spent a lot of time in the sun.

Seborrheic keratoses do not tend to go away by themselves. Because they are completely harmless and do not change into skin cancer, treatment is not medically necessary.

CAPILLARY HEMANGIOMAS

A capillary hemangioma is a blood blister very common on the trunk of adults. Most people over age 30 have one or more. They are little dome-shaped or slightly raised red bumps. Sometimes, they appear as pinpoint red dots. These are harmless and do not become skin cancer.

SKIN TAGS

These tags are common in the underarms, neck, groin and under the woman's breasts. They may catch on necklaces, rub on collars and bras etc. Patients often want to know why they form. There is some correlation with weight and friction from skin rubbing on each other at bodyfolds causing the skin tags to form.

BRUISES ON THE ARMS

Many older people bruise very easily on the arms after the slightest trauma or even after no trauma at all. The bruise tends to fade over a month or two. People who are on blood-thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are more likely to have bruises. Steroid or prednisone medication and chronic sun damage can also thin the skin.

DERMATOFIBROMAS

Many people will complain of this bump on the leg. It may be pink, red, tan, or brown. The key distinguishing feature is that you can grab it between two fingers and feel it within the skin. Often, when you do this, the surface will be "sucked in". These are collections of scar tissue within the skin. The upper back, especially over the scapula is another typical area. The surface of the dermatofibroma is often pigmented, and at times, crusty.

MILIA

These tiny, white bumps on the face, usually of women, are benign, tiny cysts.

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