Dermatology
Skin Health in Jackson Hole
Skin care is often overlooked in people’s health care routine, but
this large organ requires upkeep as much as any other part of your body.
Changes in your skin should not be ignored. These could be indicators
of changes or abnormalities in your body, including cancer. Skin cancer
is the most common form of the disease, and, fortunately, one of the easiest
to treat when diagnosed early.
Aside from major medical issues, dermatologists can also help with skin
irritations and acne. If you suffer from a chronic skin condition, visit
a St. John’s Medical Center dermatologist for help managing the symptoms.
- You may need to visit a dermatologist for:
- Cancer screening
- Psoriasis
- Chronic rashes
- Poison ivy exposure
- Acne outbreaks
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Skin discolorations
- Strange growths
- Dermatitis
- Minor injuries that aren’t healing
- Allergic reactions
Skin Cancer Self-Exams
A primary reason people fail to detect skin cancer is that they do not
realize every part of the body, including those that don’t see much
sun, is exposed to ultraviolet radiation at some point. Performing a self-skin
exam is an important cancer prevention step that should be done once a
month. Stand in front of a mirror and check every part of the body, including
between fingers and toes and the hard to reach areas. You’ll be
keeping an eye out for new moles, discolorations or strange growths.
- Have a dermatologist exam strange spots on your skin, including:
- Large moles that weren’t there before
- Asymmetrical blemishes
- Spots that appear to be getting bigger
- Multi-colored skin blotches
- Blemishes that get scaly
- Bleeding moles or abnormalities
- Spots that persistently itch or tingle
Skin changes can stem from a variety of things, and not all are indicators
of skin cancer. Many people already have moles and blemishes on their
body that are not cancerous, so do not panic if you have never done a
skin exam before and notice them. New developments are what is cause for
concern, which is why becoming familiar with your body through regular
self-exams is important for identifying problems when they manifest.