Seborrheic keratoses... Or what I like call "Wisdom spots"

Written by Dr. Wendy Myers

If you are over the age of 30 and have had a skin check with me, you may have heard me use the term "wisdom spot." What I am actually referring to are common lesions called seborrheic keratoses. Seborrheic keratoses or SKs are common benign skin lesions that often start developing in patients in their thirties, and continue to form as we age. I often like to joke with my patients that these are markers of their wisdom and maturity, as most patients do not want to hear that they are due to aging.

Patients often confuse SKs with "moles", but they are not. SKs are made of keratinocytes and not melanocytes which comprise true moles or nevi. They can develop on any part of the body except the palms and soles and can appear in many different ways: skin toned, pigmented, flat, or even quite raised, often resembling warts. 

The good news I always try to reinforce with my patients is that they are benign and require no treatment. They can be removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated, inflamed, or itchy. There are various ways that this can be done in the office including cryotherapy (freezing lesion with very cold spray that results in the lesions peeling off), curettage (scraping lesion off after local anesthesia), or electrocautery (electric needle to burn lesion off, often with curettage).  Therapies are often determined by the size and location of the lesion. Treatment areas often heal well, but may hyper or hypo- pigmentation as a result. 

The ABCDE’s of Melanoma – What to Look For and How to Protect Yourself

By Dr. Brian Keegan 

School is back in session. You may know your alphabet, but do you know your ABCDE’s on how to check your skin for melanoma? According to the American Cancer Society, about 76,100 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed this year. At Windsor Dermatology, we are focused on educating our patients on how to check their skin and protect themselves. 

Originally developed at New York University as a way to identify concerning lesions, the ABCDE’s of melanoma is a screening procedure to help patients check their skin. If you suspect anything suspicious, remember to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. 

Learn the ABCDE’s of melanoma:

Asymmetry – If you fold the lesion in half, both sides don’t look the same.

Border – Most moles will come to an end. Lesions that are of concern may bleed off, look more faint in certain spots or different around the edges.

Color – Lesions that have multiple colors, such as red, black, brown or white, can be concerning. 

Diameter – Moles should not be bigger than a half a centimeter. 

Evolution – Added after the ABCD’s, evolution stands for change. Any change in a mole should be further examined by a dermatologist. 

The ABCDE’s of melanoma provide a way for patients to check their skin at home. At Windsor Dermatology, we see lesions all the time that fit some or many of these points. The important thing to remember is anything that is of concern, should be checked by a dermatologist. Scheduling annual skin screenings is important as your dermatologist knows what specifically to look for and is able to check those hard to see areas of your body.

To schedule a skin screening with a dermatologist at Windsor Dermatology, call 609-443-4500 or visit Windsor Dermatology to make an appointment or to learn more about melanoma.