Can a Pimple Form in a Mole and Does this Mean Cancer?
What looks like a pimple growing in a mole may be a harmless pimple, or, it can be melanoma or another kind of skin cancer that often resembles pimples. (more…)
Why Do Some People Not Have a Toenail on Their Pinky Toe?
Ever see a pinky toe with no nail and wonder why, in some individuals, there is no nail on their pinky toe?
Or sometimes there is, if you want to call it a true nail: a tiny slit of a nail – not big enough to put polish on without getting it on the surrounding skin. (more…)
Is a Mole on the Nipple More Likely to Become Melanoma?
Have you discovered a mole on your nipple — not nearby, but ON the nipple, and are worried it might be melanoma?
Can Tinnitus Be Caused by Melanoma Spread to the Brain?
Can a melanoma that spreads to the brain ever cause tinnitus?
The brain is one of the first places that a melanoma tumor metastasizes to.
This can result in a variety of symptoms.
Tinnitus is the so-called ringing in the ears that affects many people and that has a multitude of causes.
“When melanoma spreads, it has certain places that it prefers to spread to,” says Dr. Steven Musick, MD, a board certified dermatologist who runs Musick Dermatology, LLC, in Swansea, IL, which provides state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for all disorders of the skin, hair and nails. (more…)
Acne Along the Hairline: Causes and Treatment
Adults, not just teens, can suffer from stubborn acne or pimples along their hairline.
Sometimes, the conditions that are ripe for the development of blemishes are concentrated along the hairline. (more…)
What Can a Blister Like Spot on the Scalp Be?
There are three main types of scalp lesions that can look like a blister, and this includes cancer.
This is why it’s important to have a dermatologist inspect your scalp on a yearly basis as part of your skin cancer screening.
“A blister-like spot on the scalp could be a blister (will resolve in a couple of weeks or as all blisters do), a non-cancerous growth (like a mole) or a skin cancer,” says Dr. Steven Musick, MD, a board certified dermatologist who runs Musick Dermatology, LLC, in Swansea, IL, which provides state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for all disorders of the skin, hair and nails.
“If the lesion persists, seek evaluation by a qualified dermatologist,” says Dr. Musick.
A type of non-cancerous growth that just might look like a blister is a seborrheic keratosis.
These typically begin appearing after age 40 and can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp. They can resemble melanoma.
However, a melanoma can sometimes pass as a seborrheic keratosis.
NOT ALL MELANOMAS ARE DARK.
Melanomas, such as this one here, can be pinkish, red or even flesh colored.
So if you see ANY strange new growth on your scalp – or you’re not sure how long you’ve had a newly-discovered lesion – have a dermatologist examine it.
Another type of growth that can seem like a blister is a strange kind of mole called a dysplastic nevus (atypical mole).
These typically appear in childhood or young adulthood, and can strongly resemble melanoma. And vice versa. Pictured below is an atypical mole.
Biophoto Associates/Science Source
Steven Musick, MD
Since 2008 Musick Dermatology & Advanced Clinical Spa has been providing state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for all disorders of the skin, hair and nails.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Point Fr
How to Do the Epley Maneuver on Yourself for BPPV Relief
If you suffer from BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional disorder), you can perform the Epley maneuver on yourself for instant relief from the dizziness and nausea. (more…)
How Does a Doctor Tell Which Ear Has BPPV?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner ear problem, usually affecting only one ear—but which ear? How does a doctor figure this out?
Clavicle Sticks Out More than the Other: Cancer or Asymmetry?
How normal is it for one collarbone (clavicle) to stick out more than the other?
What actually causes this and can cancer be a potential cause?
“Clavicles are generally symmetrical, but asymmetry is not necessarily something to worry about,” says J. Mark Anderson, MD, DABFM, of Executive Medicine of Texas and who is board certified in family medicine.
“Many people are born with one side more pronounced than the other,” continues Dr. Anderson, who is board certified in internal medicine.
Some Considerations
Look at the collarbones of other people — coworkers, family members, people you pass on the street and those on TV shows or in your favorite magazines.
It won’t be too long before you spot a woman wearing a low collar whose clavicles are clearly uneven:
One juts out more than the other. You might even be able to spot this in women’s magazines.
Another point to consider is body fat. The symmetry — or lack thereof — of the clavicles will be more obvious in those with lean bodies.
If you’ve noticed that the end of one of your collarbones pokes out more than the other, ask yourself if a low body fat level might be making things seem more pronounced than they actually are.
Have you lost weight recently? If so, has this coincided with a more noticeable asymmetry of your collarbones?
When to See a Doctor
“If your clavicle is red, hot or has a [new-onset] noticeable bump, it should be looked at by your healthcare provider,” says Dr. Anderson.
“These symptoms are most likely caused by infection. Cancer is unlikely.
“Clavicle injuries are common and can cause one side to look abnormal, but normally, clavicle injuries are painful and easily recognized at the time of injury.
“An injured clavicle often heals with immobilization, but should always be examined by a healthcare provider for stabilization.”
A collarbone injury would usually result from a hard impact, such as falling on one’s shoulder.
The pain is instant and significant, affecting mobility. There may even be a hairline fracture in the bone.
If so, bruising will soon start showing.
But as mentioned, in the absence of an injury, when one collarbone seems to stick out more than the other, this would just be harmless asymmetry — for which another potential benign cause would be unequal muscle development from workouts or physical labor, making it appear that one side juts out more than the other.
Dr. Anderson is coauthor of the award-winning book, “Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health,” and host of the nationally syndicated Staying Young Show which goes to podcast as Staying Young Show 2.0.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Causes of Osteoarthritis in Young Adults 20’s and 30’s
