If you aren't sure if a blemish that you have on your skin is a wart or a mole, or if it's another type of skin discoloration, you want to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a skin professional that specializes in the treatment of these types of skin conditions, and will know what to do with the blemish.

Melanoma kills about 10,000 people annually in America, so you don't want to risk not getting the area looked at. Here are some things to consider if you're putting of going to see a skin specialist.

Avoid at Home Treatments

There are a variety of homeopathic and over the counter treatments that claim to remove moles, but it can be difficult to determine if these really work, if they are safe, and what harm they could do to the area. Applying a topical treatment could make the condition worse and put your skin at risk. You want the dermatologist to be able to look at the area and do a biopsy if necessary, so avoid using any at home treatments before your appointment.

Full Body Inspection

When you make an appointment don't just have the one mole or area that is causing you concern looked at, and instead have a full body inspection completed. The dermatologist may notice other areas that are problematic or that need testing or removal or another skin condition that needs treatment. This should be done annually, especially if you have had skin concerns in the past.

Mole Removal Procedure

There are specific mole removal procedures that will get the damaged cells out of your body safely, and that will eliminate the mole on your body. The procedure may leave you with a few stitches in the area where the mole was removed. You'll get instructions from your dermatologist about how to care for the area while it heals and how to care for it until you go in to have your postoperative appointment.

It can take a while to get into a dermatologist if you aren't already a patient. When you call to make your appointment, make sure to tell the receptionist or scheduler that you are concerned that you may have skin cancer or that you have a mole that is worrying you. They may have appointments set aside daily for emergencies or patients that need appointments to get seen and screened right away. If you have a skin concern and would like to talk to a dermatologist, contact Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists.