How to Know When a Skin Issue Is Urgent vs. Safe to Watch

There’s no question that a rash can be really itchy, and most large moles aren’t exactly pretty,but a little discomfort or an undesirable appearance doesn’t always call for medical attention. However, certain skin issues are valid cause for concern, and some could be serious.

So, how do you know when to see a doctor about a skin condition vs. waiting it out? Instead of relying on Google to diagnose symptoms, here’s some advice from our board-certified dermatologists.

When to worry about a rash

Common rashes often stem from minor viruses, allergies, heat, or stress, and usually clear up within a week or two. They can be itchy and inflamed, but don’t come with fever or make you feel ill. If you experience a rash with any of the symptoms below, it’s time to seek medical help.

Difficulty breathing or swallowing, vomiting, or a swollen tongue. All of these symptoms indicate you’re having a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis and need to call 911. When your immune system senses something it doesn’t think should be in your body, it releases a flood of chemicals that can cause your blood pressure to drop and airways to close. It can either be caused by ingesting an allergen, such as peanuts or penicillin, or touching something you’re allergic to, such as latex.
Fever. Fever is the body’s way of fighting off infection, so it’s best to see a dermatologist to determine whether antiviral or antibiotics can clear it up. Measles, herpes, and mononucleosis all typically cause a fever along with a rash.
It’s spreading rapidly. A rash caused by an irritant, such as a lotion or certain type of fabric, will usually stay localized where the skin came in contact with it (this is called contact dermatitis). But if the rash spreads quickly to other areas of your body, it’s worth a doctor’s visit. This can be caused by a systemic drug reaction, indicating a medication change might be needed. Another potential cause is a bacterial infection like cellulitis that can become life-threatening without treatment.
Pain, particularly on one side of the body. Most rashes itch, but don’t necessarily hurt when you touch them, so pain may be a cause for concern. Shingles is a virus that develops as blisters on only one side of your body, most commonly along the torso, but also on the face and neck. It’s important to see a doctor as soon as you suspect shingles since an anti-viral medication can shorten the virus, but must be started within 72 hours.
A bullseye. Most bug bites develop in a circular shape, and typical bites from mosquitoes or even some spiders aren’t usually cause for concern. But a tick bite has a red ring around it with a black dot in the center (the tick), and that carries a concern for Lyme disease. A black widow bite also leaves a target-shaped sore that can be accompanied by muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and trouble breathing.
Swelling and/or discoloration. An inflamed, dark red, or purple bump is a serious red flag indicating that an insect’s venom has blocked the blood flow in the area. It’s best to have this checked out by a doctor.
It lasts for more than two weeks. If you’ve taken measures at home to get rid of a rash, such as applying cortisone cream, calamine lotion, and ice packs, but it hasn’t gone away, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. This could be a chronic skin condition like eczema or psoriasis that can be controlled with medications or lifestyle changes.

When a mole is cause for concern

Some people go their whole lives without having a cancerous mole, but it’s always good to keep an eye on moles since early detection can stop cancer from spreading. By performing regular self checks and knowing what changes to look for, you’ll know when it’s time to see a doctor about a skin condition.

Keep track of new growths. In patients over 40, a new spot that pops up is often considered suspicious. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) usually begins as a dome-shaped bump or a red, scaly patch, and can sometimes pop through scars or chronic skin sores. Large growths may itch or hurt. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can be flat and almost flesh colored, but is often raised, red or pink, and can be smooth or rough. If you notice any of those changes, report them to your doctor.

Practice your ABCs. Certain shapes, sizes, and changes in moles call for closer examination and possibly a biopsy. If you answer yes to any of these questions, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist:

A – Asymmetrical. Does one side of the mole look different than the other?

B – Border. Is the border of the mole irregular or fuzzy?

C – Color. Is your mole more than one color, or a different color than your other moles?

D – Diameter. Is the mole bigger than a pencil eraser, or about 6mm around?

E – Evolution. Has your mole evolved, or changed over time?

Don’t ignore pain or bleeding. A typical mole should not hurt or bleed. While these symptoms could be due to a scratch, bump, irritation, or even a pimple underneath, they require professional assessment to rule out disease.

When in doubt, see a doctor to rule out a serious skin condition

In the world of skin care, it’s always better to play it safe when it comes to skin health. It’s not your job to know what a dangerous rash looks like or if a mole has grown too much. That’s our job. It never hurts to have a board-certified dermatologist take a look at something that’s concerning you.

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