Dysplastic nevus secondary prevention

Overview

Many doctors recommend that people with dysplastic nevi check their skin once a month

Secondary Prevention

In addition, many doctors recommend that people with dysplastic nevi check their skin once a month. People should tell their doctor if they see any of the following changes in a dysplastic nevus:

• The color changes

• It gets smaller or bigger

• It changes in shape, texture, or height

• The skin on the surface becomes dry or scaly

• It becomes hard or feels lumpy

• It starts to itch

• It bleeds or oozes

Another thing that people with dysplastic nevi should do is get their skin examined by a doctor. Sometimes people or their doctors take photographs of dysplastic nevi so changes over time are easier to see. For people with many (more than five) dysplastic nevi, doctors may conduct a skin exam once or twice a year because of the moderately increased chance of melanoma. For people who also have a family history of melanoma, doctors may suggest a more frequent skin exam, such as every 3 to 6 months.

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