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7 Warning Signs of Precancerous Skin Lesions You Shouldn't Ignore
That rough patch that keeps coming back? The flaky spot that never quite heals? The “dry skin” you’ve been moisturizing for months with no real change? It may be more than ordinary irritation.
Precancerous skin lesions often develop slowly, and they’re easy to dismiss as sun damage, aging, or even just a stubborn dry spot. However, these changes can signal abnormal skin cells that need attention before they have a chance to progress.
At Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, Dr. Seth Goodman, Dr. Matt Goodman, or Roshan Kottoor, PA-C, can help you spot concerning changes early, treat them effectively, and protect your skin for the long term. To start protecting your skin now, here are seven warning signs to watch for.
1. Rough, scaly patches that won’t go away
Actinic keratosis is a common precancerous condition, and it often appears as a rough, dry, or scaly patch of skin. An estimated 14% of people worldwide have this condition.
These spots commonly develop on sun-exposed areas, including your face, scalp, ears, chest, and hands.
They may feel rough even before they become clearly visible.
2. Persistent redness or irritation
Skin that stays red, irritated, or inflamed without healing could signal abnormal skin cancers, especially if the area repeatedly flakes, crusts, or becomes tender.
3. A spot that bleeds or crusts easily
Precancerous lesions may become fragile and bleed with minimal irritation. If a spot repeatedly scabs, crusts, or reopens, don’t ignore it.
4. Changes in your skin texture
Skin lesions that become thicker, rougher, raised, or “sandpaper-like” over time should be checked by a dermatologist here at Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery.
Texture changes can signal abnormal skin cell growth. This includes changes in your lip texture, too. Pay attention if your lips become dry and sandpapery. “Sailor’s lip,” a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis, can sometimes appear as sandpapery skin on your lips.
5. You have a spot that’s tender or itchy
Precancerous lesions can be painless, but not always. Instead, you may have a spot that is:
- Itchy
- Burns
- Tingles
- Feels tender when you touch it
Whether they’re precancerous or not, we can recommend the right treatment to help relieve pesky symptoms like these.
6. A lesion that keeps returning
If a spot seems to heal and then come back again and again, it could indicate ongoing abnormal cell changes beneath the surface.
7. New spots in areas with heavy sun exposure
Years of cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure increase your risk of precancerous skin changes. This includes UV exposure from the sun and tanning beds.
Pay close attention to new lesions that appear on areas frequently exposed to the sun, especially if you have a history of sunburns or tanning.
What to expect during a skin evaluation
During your visit, we examine the lesion(s) and may use a dermascope to evaluate the area more closely.
A dermatoscope is a handheld magnifying device with specialized lighting that allows our team to see deeper skin structures and identify abnormal patterns that may not be visible to the naked eye. In addition to your skin, we can use the dermatoscope to examine potential precancerous lesions on your scalp and nails.
In some cases, we may perform a biopsy to determine whether abnormal or cancerous cells are present.
How Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery can help with precancerous spots
At Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, our team has a combined 50+ years of experience, and we regularly diagnose and treat precancerous skin lesions using advanced dermatologic methods.
Your potential treatments for precancerous lesions include cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), topical chemotherapy, or surgical excision.
And if your lesion is something else? Eczema, for example, can cause itchy, rough patches on your skin. We can take care of that, too.
Schedule a skin check with us if you’ve noticed changes to your skin that aren’t healing or going away. Or, call (623) 254-7375 to reach one of our three Arizona locations.