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Doctor Warns That Itchy Skin Spot May Suggest More Investigation

By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Skin lesions that are bothersome should send the patient to a doctor.

Dermatologists trying to determine which skin lesions need testing first should ask patients how those patches feel.

Dr. Gil Yosipovitch, chairman of the department of dermatology at the Temple University School of Medicine, says it makes a difference when looking for cancer.

"It's actually a very common complaint among skin cancers and lesions to have some itch and pain," he notes.

Dr. Yosipovitch says non-melanoma skin cancers are more likely to be itchy or painful.  Those types of lesions are diagnosed in two million Americans every year.

 

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