Spots which dont heal

Popping may seem like the quickest way to get rid of a pimple, but it can cause scarring. In addition, touching your pimple can transfer oil and bacteria from your hands to your face. Washing your face twice per day, especially when it gets sweaty, can keep oil from building up and clogging your pores. But be careful: Washing more than that can irritate sensitive skin and make pimples worse.

A warm compress can help your pimple open, so it can release pus and start to heal. Soak a washcloth in warm water, and apply it to the pimple for 10 to 15 minutes. You can do this several times a day until the pimple is gone. Use OTC treatments on your whole face, not just the pimple itself. This helps stop new pimples from forming. Be sure to follow treatment directions exactly and give it at least four weeks to work. Many pimple treatments dry your skin, so be sure to moisturize.

Cortisone comes in a cream and a shot. Hydrocortisone cream works best when paired with another treatment, such as benzoyl peroxide. A cortisone shot can be injected directly into the lesion by a doctor. It helps shrink inflammatory acne quickly. Some OTC treatments, such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, also come in stronger prescription forms. Other prescription treatments, such as dapsone gel , specifically treat inflammatory acne.

Antibiotics may also be used to kill the bacteria that can make acne worse and keep your pimple from going away. These need to be treated differently than pimples. Molluscum contagiosum is a type of viral infection that can cause a rash of small, raised, white or pink bumps, often with a dimple in the center. These bumps may be itchy, sore, and swollen. Molluscum contagiosum can happen anywhere on the body.

In most cases, it goes away by itself in 6 to 12 months. Cold sores are a common viral infection caused by herpes simplex 1 virus and spread from person to person. This virus can cause cold sores on your mouth or genitals, but many people with the virus never get cold sores.

Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters around your lips. You may have one or several at a time. They may burst and crust over, but usually heal within their own within four weeks. If you get severe outbreaks or get cold sores often, an antiviral medication may be able to help. Ingrown hairs are hairs that curl and grow back into your skin. They usually occur when the hair follicle becomes clogged with dead skin cells. This is very important if you're regularly outside in the sun for work or leisure.

You can take a photo of anything that doesn't look quite right. If you can it's a good idea to put a ruler or tape measure next to the abnormal area when you take the photo. This gives you a more accurate idea about its size and can help you tell if it's changing. You can then show these pictures to your doctor. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. Find out more about this, other possible risk factors, and what you can do to reduce your risk. Find out how to get the most out of your GP appointment, when you should see a specialist and the tests you might have.

Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and other rare types. They tend to develop most often on skin that has been exposed to the sun.

About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since Questions about cancer? Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us. Skip to main content. To see some examples of basal and squamous cell cancers, visit our Skin Cancer Image Gallery. These and other types of skin cancers can also look different from the descriptions above. Basal cell carcinomas Basal cell cancers usually develop on areas exposed to the sun, especially the face, head, and neck, but they can occur anywhere on the body.

Squamous cell carcinomas Squamous cell cancers tend to occur on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ear, neck, lip, and back of the hands.