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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.
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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