ABCDE rule - recognize dangerous birthmarks
Eva Rudolf-Müller is a freelance writer in the medical team. She studied human medicine and newspaper sciences and has repeatedly worked in both areas - as a doctor in the clinic, as a reviewer, and as a medical journalist for various specialist journals. She is currently working in online journalism, where a wide range of medicine is offered to everyone.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.You can use the ABCDE rule to examine your skin for any malignant changes. Each letter stands for a property that a pigmented skin lesion (e.g. a birthmark) can have. Certain changes can indicate the dangerous black skin cancer! Here you can find out what these are, what to do and how often you should examine your skin according to the ABCDE rule!
What is the ABCDE rule?
The ABCDE rule is a simple tool to identify potentially malignant and dangerous birthmarks (skin cancer!). This means that skin changes are kept under observation with simple parameters. The following criteria apply for the independent control of moles, pigment spots and other skin changes such as flaky, dry areas:
A = asymmetry
B = limitation
C = Color
D = diameter
E = sublimity
A = asymmetry
Examine skin changes such as moles to see whether they have a uniform round or oval shape or whether they are uneven, i.e. asymmetrical. If the latter is the case, you should see a dermatologist.
B = limitation
The edges of harmless birthmarks and pigment spots are sharply defined and smooth. If, on the other hand, the edges appear washed out, jagged, uneven and / or rough, an examination by a dermatologist is urgently recommended.
C = Color
The color of a skin change also plays an important role in the assessment: is it different, does it fluctuate between light and dark, can pink, gray and / or black points be seen? Again, the dermatologist is responsible for the exact assessment.
D = diameter
If the diameter of a skin lesion is more than three to five millimeters or the shape is hemispherical, you should consult a dermatologist quickly.
E = sublimity
Elevation means how high a mole or other skin lesion protrudes above the level of the surrounding skin. If the height is more than a millimeter, it could be an indication of skin cancer.
The ABCDE rule can provide the treating dermatologist with important information, but does not replace regular checks by the doctor! This should take place at least once a year.
Additional changes
If you observe that a birthmark that you have had for a long time is changing, maybe getting bigger or changing its shape or color, this is also an alarm signal. The same applies if there is an itchiness at this point or the stain is bleeding. In such cases, you should definitely consult a doctor and have the suspicious area of skin examined.
Why should one examine the skin according to the ABCDE rule?
Skin cancer has increased significantly in frequency in recent years. This applies to both black skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and white or light skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma):
In 2016, around 230,000 people in Germany were newly diagnosed with light house cancer (most of them with basal cell cancer). The number of deaths was almost 900. Malignant melanoma is rarer, but much more dangerous: In 2016, around 23,200 new cases and almost 3,000 deaths from black skin cancer were registered in this country. Younger people are also increasingly affected, although the risk of melanoma actually increases with age.
So it is worth paying a little attention to the skin and checking it regularly using the ABCDE rule. From the age of 35, every insured person is also entitled to a free skin cancer screening by a doctor every two years.
How often should one examine the skin according to the ABCDE rule?
You should thoroughly examine your skin once a month using the ABCDE rule. Ask your partner for help in assessing areas that are difficult to see (for example the back) or use a mirror to help. Stand in a well-lit area so that you can really see all areas of your skin. Don't forget to look for changes in the folds of skin, between the toes and fingers, and under the nails.
How does the doctor examine the skin?
After taking your medical history (anamnesis), the doctor will examine your entire body surface, including the scalp and mucous membranes, according to the ABCDE rule. Should he discover anything unusual, he will refer you to a dermatologist or a dermatological clinic. There the skin is then examined with a magnifying glass. A tissue sample is then taken from suspicious areas for a fine-tissue examination. To do this, the affected area of skin is anesthetized locally. After the tissue is removed, the small wound that has been created is bandaged.
Taking a skin tissue sample does not involve any greater risk than a "normal" injury to the skin.
ABCDE rule - as simple as ABC
If you stick to the simple guidelines of the ABCDE rule, then you have made a big step in terms of skin cancer prevention. You can also take advantage of the preventive medical check-ups, who will also examine your skin in accordance with the ABCDE rule.
Tags: book tip nourishment pregnancy
