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Skin Changes
About this symptom
Most bumps, spots, growths, or moles do not need any type of home treatment. But the following measures may be helpful:
- Keep the area clean and dry. Wash with a mild soap and warm (not hot) water. Do not scrub.
- Avoid irritating the area.
- Do not squeeze, scratch, or pick at the spot.
- Leave the spot exposed to the air whenever possible.
- Adjust your clothing to avoid rubbing the bump or spot, or cover it with a bandage.
- Conceal a mole or birthmark if you are embarrassed by how it looks. Many cosmetics are designed for this purpose.
- Use a humidifier in your home in the winter or all year if you live in a dry climate.
- Shower after swimming or using a hot tub to rinse off chlorine or salt water. Use a moisturizer after showering.
- Perform
a skin self-exam
to learn about your skin. This will help you spot new skin
growths. - Eat a balanced diet and drink 8 to 12 glasses of water each day. For more information, see the topic Healthy Eating.
Try the following measures if a bump, spot, or growth shows minor signs of infection, such as a small amount of pus or redness around the bump:
- Gently wash the spot with an antibacterial soap once or twice a day.
- Leave the spot unbandaged, unless it becomes irritated or dirty.
- If a spot becomes dirty or irritated, apply an
antibiotic ointment, such as bacitracin or polymyxin B sulfate, and cover it
with an adhesive bandage. The ointment will keep the spot from sticking to the
bandage.
Note: Stop using the ointment if the skin under the bandage begins to itch or develops a rash. The ointment may be causing a skin reaction.
- Change the bandage every day and any time it gets wet. If a dressing is stuck to a scab, soak the dressing in warm water to soften the scab and make it easier to remove the bandage.
- Watch for other signs of infection, such as increasing pain, swelling, redness, heat, fever, or chills.
Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:
- Signs of a skin infection develop.
- A mole or colored
skin spot:
- Bleeds or forms an ulcer.
- Changes in size, shape, or texture.
- Becomes sensitive, itchy, or painful.
- Symptoms do not improve, become more severe or frequent, or don't go away.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 27, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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