Is Your Skin Trying to Tell You Something?

Our bodies are amazing. They give us signs all the time that things may need tending to. Unfortunately, we don’t always listen. I myself am often guilty of this.A short time ago, I had a longtime customer ask me for some concealer to cover these small red spots that appeared and wouldn’t go away. I asked how long they had been there, and she said at least six months. I was immediately concerned. Red spots that don’t go away should be seen by a doctor. Rashes go away. Dry skin goes away. Precancerous cells do not go away. Better safe than sorry. No concealer for you. Go to the dermatologist. If it’s nothing, then we can talk concealer.  As I sit here tonight, I am still wondering if she went to the dermatologist. I am genuinely concerned and am planning to email her to find out. I am also sitting here with what I am pretty sure is actinic keratosis (AK) on my forehead. Actinic Keratosis is a skin condition that presents in rough, scaly spots that are often slightly discolored. They are not cancerous themselves, but nearly ten percent of AK progress into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). I have just such a spot on my forehead. I’ve had it for months. If one of my customers had told me they had a spot like this, I’d never let them hear the end of it until they had it looked at. SCC differs from melanoma. It is very rarely fatal, though left untreated can destroy the surrounding tissue and require a large excision of skin. That is obviously not something I want. So, why haven’t I gone to the dermatologist?  Good question. “Physician heal thyself” certainly comes to mind. I’m clearly no physician, but if I’m dispensing advice, I’d better be ready to take it. I’m going to call the doctor tomorrow. Let’s all make a pact this year to listen to our bodies and to take the advice we’d give others in the same situation.If your skin is trying to tell you something…take the call…then make the call.