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The office party is tonight. A huge zit is sprouting on your forehead. By the end of the evening, you know
you'll look like Rudolph with a misplaced nose.
How can your body let you down like this? Actually, given how we abuse our skin, this thin armor that protects
us from the world is pretty amazing.
Skin is the body's largest organ. It protects against infection and helps regulate body temperature so you
don't get too hot or too cold. It keeps too much water from leaking out of your body, stores fat for energy,
and makes Vitamin D if you get a little sun (don't overdo it).
Most skin lumps and bumps that show up as we grow older are harmless; not much happens with them once they've
"sprouted."
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Seborrheic keratoses are oval-shaped, brown or black growths that usually
show up on your face, neck, and trunk. They are waxy and wart-like with flat tops.
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Cherry angiomas are small, reddish-purple spots usually found on your trunk
and upper legs. They can also appear on your face, neck, scalp, and arms. These harmless clusters of tiny,
swollen blood vessels become common after age 40. They'll bleed a lot if you puncture them.
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Skin tags are fleshy, tag-like growths on your face, neck, chest, underarms,
and groin.
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Liver spots are flat, brownish-yellow "age" spots. They can also
be caused by the sun and irritating stuff like turpentine that gets splashed on your skin. Sometimes they
show up during pregnancy, too.
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Sebaceous gland growths are small, yellowish bumps on your forehead and
face.
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Precancerous growths or patches (solar or actinic keratoses) may be less
innocent. Lots of sun exposure causes these small red patches with crusted, scaly, yellow-brown surfaces.
You can prevent some skin growths. For example, if you always use Ti-Slik SPF 45 Sunblock starting when you're
young, you can help prevent actinic keratoses. But skin tags, sebaceous gland growths, and seborrheic keratoses
usually can't be prevented.
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