driving me crazy

I am a senior citizen so I know skin growths are not unusual at my age but lately it seems these things are having babies!, lol.  Lately I am unable to sleep throughout the night because they itch so badly!!   I have heard that if they itch, it's cancer... is that true? I even have them in my scalp, and by morning my head aches from scratching my head so much. Every day I get new ones everywhere all over my body!  Help! I'm going nuts here!!


This discussion is related to Skin Growths and moles/warts on my face..

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Would you be able to describe these skin growths?

Colored ones may be moles or nevus. The skin colored ones may be atypical moles, warts and skin tags. Once irritated they may present with itchiness. Itchiness does not necessarily signal a precancerous state. However, this requires further evaluation since an assessment based on the lesions' (allow me to call them lesions)  appearance  and character may help. There is an ABCD for assessing moles. A is for asymmetry, B for borders, C for color and D for diameter. Any changes in these characteristics may warrant further investigation.
I suggest that you see a dermatologist for this. The doctor may provide you topical medications for the itchiness. An underlying fungal infection may be present. A dermatitis should also be considered.

Avoid scratching intensely as this may cause mild injuries to the skin. Applying a cool compress over the area may help.

[usertaz]

hello, Thanks for your reply. Yes, I will make an appt. with the dermatologist, most of these growths are very tiny at least the ones on my back are, and they feel rough and are skin colored. I have 2 smooth skin colored moles on my face near my eyebrows, and several skin colored warts about 1cm in d. on my legs both upper and lower, and arms which do not itch at all. My scalp seems to have less itching since I just started washing my hair in Selsun blue. I have an extremely low tolerance for irritations of this sort, and when the itching awakens me It seems as though my skin is crawling all over me. I do have a fungal infection in my toenails though, I wonder if there is a connection
do you think?.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

These skin colored bumps may be warts and skin tags. They may present with itchiness especially when they come in contact with clothes  and when one sweats.

As for the scalp itchiness, this may be a case of seborrheic dermatitis. It manifests as what we call dandruff. The cause is not well defined but some have associated this with a yeast infection. I do not think there is a connection between the skin bumps, scalp itchiness and the fungal infection on the toenails. Unless you are frequently picking on the affected nails, then this fungal infection could not really be transmitted to the scalp and cause  the scalp itchiness. I suggest that you wash hands frequently. Keep your body clean and dry. You may use a Vitamin E cream to moisturize to avoid extreme dryness which may lead to the itchiness.