Do you know what to look for when checking your skin? A spot that seems a little darker than usual or a blemish that appeared out of nowhere can be an early warning sign of skin cancer.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to learn the signs of skin cancer and get familiar with what’s normal for your skin.
At Getwell Urgent Care in Southaven, getting a concerning spot evaluated is simple, with no appointment needed and no long wait. If a mole or something similar has caught your eye and you’re not sure what to make of it, we’re here to help.
What makes a mole suspicious?
Sometimes the clearest sign that something is off is that a mole looks different from the rest. Experts often refer to this as the “ugly duckling” sign — one spot that stands apart from the others on your skin.
The Skin Cancer Foundation advises checking your entire body monthly for new or unusual spots, including areas not regularly exposed to the sun.
When looking at your skin, pay attention to:
- Spots that don’t look like your other moles
- Changes that develop over a few weeks or months
- Areas that itch, bleed, or don’t heal
- New growths or spots that weren’t previously visible
These symptoms don’t automatically mean cancer, but they do warrant a closer look from a medical professional.
How can urgent care help evaluate skin concerns?
You don’t need a specialist referral to get a worrying spot checked. At Getwell Urgent Care, we assess many skin concerns on a walk-in basis, making it easy to act when something new catches your attention.
When you come in, we’ll ask about the location of the spot and any changes you’ve noticed, then carry out our own detailed exam. We look for things like irregular borders, uneven coloring, and how long the spot has been present.
After the evaluation, we’ll walk you through our findings. Sometimes all you need is a little reassurance and guidance on what to watch for, but if a specialist is the right next step, we can provide a referral as well.
Our goal is to make sure you leave with the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.
When you notice something new on your skin
Checking your skin regularly can help you catch changes early, but understanding what those changes mean is another matter. Without a medical eye, it can be hard to know what to make of a spot that looks a little different or a mark you haven’t noticed before.
If you do a self-check at home, focus on awareness rather than self-diagnosis.
According to the American Cancer Society, a self-exam is mainly about learning your normal pattern so you can recognize changes and bring them to a provider’s attention.
At Getwell Urgent Care, we’re here to help you make sense of what you’re seeing. A quick visit can answer questions that are hard to resolve on your own, especially when you’re uncertain how serious something might be.
When an emergency room visit may be needed
Urgent care can address many skin concerns, particularly new or changing moles. However, more severe symptoms, such as significant bleeding or rapid swelling, may require a higher level of care.
If that’s the case, we can point you toward the emergency room or connect you with a specialist right away.
Get answers about changes in your skin
While Skin Cancer Awareness Month is a natural prompt to check your skin, staying vigilant year-round is the best approach.
Being proactive about your health means noticing changes and getting them evaluated when something seems off.
Getwell Urgent Care is here to help when something catches your attention. We’re open seven days a week with extended hours and accept most major insurance plans, with options available for those without coverage. Walk in anytime or check in online to reduce your wait.
Stop by Getwell Urgent Care in Southaven or reserve your spot online. No appointment needed.