Have you learnt how to keep your skin healthy? Do you know that you can do a regular self examination of your skin by yourself? Do you know that no Physician can pay more attention to the largest organ in your body -your skin more than you?

You have to observe your skin and pay to it the most attention that it deserves. There may be changes that can occur that with due attention, only you can identify and tell that a deviation from the normal has occurred and prompt action can be taken to improve skin health. It is important because, skin cancer is common and can be prevented. Early detection also ensures that prompt treatment is given that can save life or prevent long-term morbidity. A common cause of skin cancers is sun damage from UV rays.

Different conditions may be seen in the skin and may vary from age to age. Example of conditions that can affect the skin includes; acne, eczema, pityriasis versicolour, pityriasis rosea, tineasis, wart, tags, moles, vitiligo, melanoma, e.t.c. Sometimes explsure to sun sometimes present with redness, blotches, under eye circles, uneven sin colour and dark spots. It is important that you know that the skin develop changes as a result of environmental insults.

It is recommended that you routinely observe yourself but perform a self skin examination at least once a month. The worry usually is to observe for skin changes like ulcers, bleeding e.t.c. Alot of people have moles (naevi)in one skin location or another. Most of these moles are benign with nothing to worry about. However, things to look out for are changes that may make you quickly consult your doctor.

To do a self skin examination, you have to know what to look out for. We have an acronym for the different symptoms to look out for and this is ABCDE. Each alphabet represent different symptom to look out for by you.
A stand for Asymmetry: does one half match the other?
B stand for Border: any irregularity or indistinct?
C stand for Colour: any changes or uneven colour?
D stand for Diameter: any increase in size (usually greater than 0.2inches)?
E stand for Evolve/evolution: any new symptoms like peeling, bleeding, crusting, itching or any change in shape, elevation, size and/colour?
Be sure to report to your Physician any non-healing wound, change in birth mark or mole and any suspicious looking skin area.

You can save your skin from damage and cancer by protecting yourself from excess sun exposure or present early for Physician assessment of a suspicious mole or skin changes to be saved by early detection and prompt management.