Seborrheic Keratosis vs Melanoma

An individual’s skin is one of the most taken for granted things. In fact, these past few decades have probably been given more focus on cosmetic beautification and as the modern medical world has showed more and more possibilities of increasing the ways of pushing aging farther and farther as the person ages, the world of skin beautification has been given more insight in helping improve it.

This is probably why more articles and beauty products focus on the skin. Rejuvenating it, making it moisturized, keeping it supple, to name a few, are given more concentration as well, because not only are people seeing the importance of taking care of one’s skin, but on the other hand, people are also getting more curious as well as interested in the different skin problems that are being experienced these days.

A more common skin issue that is getting more reaction these days is about too much exposure to the sun. Some attribute the sun’s too much heat that is currently affecting the skin is the thinning of the ozone layer. There are certainly many factors that are affecting this. Then again, the simple truth is that anything that is done in excess is always dangerous and unsafe. This time, though, the sun plays an important role in affecting one’s skin, whether it is about too much exposure or no exposure at all, this article would be talking about skin problems, namely, seborrheic keratosis and melanoma.

This article aims to make the readers understand the difference between seborrheic keratosis and melanoma. We hear the term ‘melanoma’ and would automatically assume that it is a skin disease. The bottom line is that without proper know-how, we do not truly understand what it means. To make sure the reader knows the difference and its symptoms, possible treatment and remedy are the objectives of this article.

What is Seborrheic Keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis is a skin condition. Its appearance is usually round or oval in shape. Should you touch it, it is rough and scaly to touch. What you should probably be aware of, first and foremost, is that it is non-cancerous. They are usually seen on people as they age, but this doesn’t mean that younger people cannot have it. Generally, seborrheic keratosis appears as people age. This benign skin growth begins in keratinocytes, a certain cell type in one’s epidermis, the outermost layer of one’s skin. Seborrheic keratosis sometimes appears like liver spots. They also look like warts. When you have a ‘scab-like’ skin condition that wouldn’t go away, a visit to your dermatologist should be in order.

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma, on the other hand, is a deadly form of skin cancer. It has to be detected at an early stage because it spreads quickly and at the same time, it would affect organs of the body. So what are the warning signs? What do they look like?

Let’s start with where it begins. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that forms in the cells of melanin. Melanin gives pigment to your skin. It would usually affect moles. Sometimes they would form new lesions on your skin.

Another piece of important information about melanoma is its possible cause. One cause is overexposure to the sun. Then again, most of the time, melanoma would appear on parts of the body that are not exposed to the sun, so, basically, it really is quite difficult to pinpoint.

Warning signs are probably the best way for you to know if a visit to your dermatologist should be scheduled. For one, a mole or moles that have changed is a warning sign. These changes are oddly called ‘ABCDEs’ and these are moles that are asymmetrical, moles that have an irregular border, moles that changed color, moles that grew in diameter, and moles that evolve, or that have changed somehow.

Treatment is generally done through surgery … that is, if it has been diagnosed at an early stage. Remember, this is a type of skin cancer, so if melanoma has been diagnosed at a late stage, there’s chemotherapy, invasive surgery, and other radiation and immunotherapy solutions.

While we have given you the basic background and information about both skin conditions, hopefully, you now can be able to differentiate seborrheic keratosis from melanoma. It is always best that you remember to keep your skin healthy and to make use of modern technology’s ways to keep it so, like the use of sunscreen. One can always be adventurous and enjoy the outdoors, but then again, you should learn how to take care of yourself by starting to give your body the right protection.

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