When it comes to the health of your hair, skin, and nails, it is important to do self checks on a regular basis to identify any abnormalities. Additionally, it is advised to have a skin, hair, & nail self check yearly by a licensed dermatologist, such as the team of doctors at Blue Ridge Dermatology. During a yearly hair, skin, and nail exam, your dermatologist will closely exam you from top to bottom to ensure nothing concerning is found.
During your at home hair, skin, and nail exam, if you notice any of the following, contact Blue Ridge Dermatology to schedule an appointment for further examination.
Hair Exam
- Sudden increase in hair loss
- Increased “shedding” when brushing hair
- The appearance of scaly skin or a rash on the scalp
- Thinning or balding of hair
The average person loses approximately 50 to 100 hairs a day. When a person is healthy, hair loss is not a concern since an equal amount of hair will grow back to replace the hair lost. If you notice that your hair is thinning, or you are losing more than average, contact your dermatologist today. We will take your medical history and when necessary run blood tests and do a scalp biopsy to determine the cause of your hair loss and to recommend a solution.
Skin Exam
- A growth on the skin that increases in size and is tan, brown, black, multi-colored or appears pearly or translucent
- Changes in the appearance of a mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or a brown spot on the skin such a change in color, size, texture, shape, or a new spot that has recently formed
- A sore or area on the skin that continuously itches, hurts, bleeds, erodes, scabs, or crusts over
- An open sore that does not heal after a few weeks time
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. For this reason, it is important to exam your skin on a regular basis and contact your dermatologist if you notice one of the signs above. Early detection is extremely important when it comes to diagnosing and treating skin cancer. Your dermatologist will exam the area and if warranted will take a biopsy to determine if cancerous cells are present. If skin cancer cells are found, your doctor will discuss next steps with you, such as removal of the damaged cells.
Nail Exam
- Ridges on both fingernails and toenails
- Discoloration, such as a brown color, under nail bed or a nail bed that appears half natural colored at the top and half white on the bottom
- Inflammation and torn cuticles accompanied by redness and rash around the nail
- Black or blue vertical streak extending from under the cuticle to the fingertip
If you notice any of the signs above, contact Blue Ridge Dermatology today. Your fingernails and toenails can show warning signs of health concerns such as melanoma, kidney disease, yeast infections, fungus, and psoriasis. Your dermatologist will closely exam your findings and work to find a cause and treatment when necessary.
Contact Blue Ridge Dermatology Today
At Blue Ridge Dermatology, we care about the health of our patients. That is why we suggest you visit our office annually for a hair, skin, and nail exam. Proactivity is the key to remaining healthy. We invite you to learn more about our team of dermatologists or to schedule an appointment today.