A non-healing sore is a spot that repeatedly scabs, crusts, or bleeds and does not fully resolve within a reasonable timeframe. These lesions may appear as a persistent open area, a scaly red patch with breakdown, or a “pimple” that never completely clears. Non-healing sores are often noticed on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, scalp, neck, forearms, and backs of the hands.

Non-healing sores can be concerning because certain skin cancers grow in a way that disrupts normal wound healing. Basal cell carcinoma may present as a sore that bleeds easily or a pearly bump with surface breakdown, while squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a sore with crusting, tenderness, or thick scale. Precancerous lesions can also become inflamed and repeatedly scab in the same location, particularly in chronically sun-exposed skin.

At Peak Skin Center, Dr. Thomas Knackstedt evaluates non-healing sores by examining border features, surface texture, and any associated symptoms such as bleeding, pain, or itching. When a lesion is suspicious, a skin biopsy may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment. If a non-healing sore is benign, Peak Skin Center can still address contributing factors such as irritation, infection, or underlying dermatitis that may be delaying repair.

A rapidly growing bump is a raised lesion that enlarges over days to weeks, especially if it becomes tender, crusted, or develops a central plug of keratin. Rapid growth does not automatically indicate cancer—some cysts, inflamed follicles, and benign growths can swell quickly, but this pattern warrants evaluation because certain lesions of concern can appear to “pop up” and grow fast.

One example is a keratoacanthoma-like growth, which can resemble a dome-shaped nodule with a central keratin core and is often managed similarly to squamous cell carcinoma due to clinical overlap and the importance of ruling out more aggressive disease. Other skin cancers can also present as firm, enlarging nodules, particularly on sun-exposed sites. Any bump that grows quickly, bleeds with minor friction, or changes color or texture should be assessed.

Peak Skin Center and Dr. Thomas Knackstedt commonly evaluate rapidly growing bumps by considering the lesion’s timeline, location, firmness, and surface changes. When the clinical appearance raises concern, biopsy is often the fastest way to confirm what the growth represents and to determine whether treatment should involve excision, Mohs surgery, or another approach. If the bump is an inflamed benign condition (such as a cyst), Peak Skin Center can recommend medical or procedural options to calm inflammation and reduce recurrence.

Rough, scaly patches that repeatedly return in the same area are frequently linked to chronic sun damage. These lesions may feel like sandpaper, sting with skincare products, or look like persistent redness with scale. When a scaly patch improves and then reappears—especially on the face, scalp, ears, forearms, or hands, it raises the possibility of actinic keratosis (a precancerous lesion) or early squamous cell carcinoma.

Actinic keratoses form when UV exposure causes abnormal keratinocyte growth. These spots can be subtle visually but obvious by touch, and they sometimes become inflamed, tender, or thicker over time. Because actinic keratoses can progress to squamous cell carcinoma, recurrent rough patches deserve evaluation and treatment, particularly when there are multiple lesions or significant sun-damaged skin.

Peak Skin Center assesses recurrent scaly patches by examining thickness, tenderness, and focal “hot spots” within a broader field of sun damage. Dr. Thomas Knackstedt may recommend targeted therapy for individual lesions or field treatment for larger areas with multiple rough spots. When a lesion is thicker, ulcerated, or unusually persistent, a biopsy may be recommended to confirm whether the lesion remains precancerous or has progressed.

Certain features increase the likelihood that a lesion needs same-week or near-term evaluation:

• Persistent bleeding, ulceration, or crusting in one spot
• Rapid enlargement over weeks
• A painful or tender lesion that does not improve
• A scaly patch that becomes thicker, forms a “horn,” or repeatedly returns
• A growth that looks different from surrounding spots on the skin (an “outlier” lesion)
• A non-healing area on the face, scalp, ears, or hands, where sun-related cancers are more common

Peak Skin Center encourages evaluation of lesions that match these patterns, even when there is uncertainty about whether a lesion is “serious.” Dr. Thomas Knackstedt focuses on identifying which lesions need biopsy or treatment and which lesions can be safely monitored.

A growth-of-concern visit typically includes a focused skin exam of the lesion and surrounding skin, with attention to additional sun-damage patterns that may signal other lesions. When needed, Peak Skin Center may recommend:

• Dermoscopy to better assess surface and pigment structures
• Skin biopsy to confirm diagnosis
• In-office removal or excision when appropriate
• Referral for Mohs surgery planning when indicated for certain skin cancers or locations
• Treatment for actinic keratoses and field damage to reduce future risk

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Thomas Knackstedt and the team at Peak Skin Center tailor next steps based on diagnosis, lesion location, recurrence risk, and cosmetic considerations.