Red spot on face and skin cancer: what to know

Facial redness can come from irritation, inflammation, visible vessels, infection, or a growth. Some skin cancers present as a persistent rough or scaly red patch, a sore that does not heal, or a spot that bleeds with minor contact. These features do not prove cancer, and many harmless conditions can look similar. A clinician uses the history and close examination, and may recommend a skin sample when the appearance is uncertain.

Book a routine skin assessment for a lasting or changing spot, particularly on sun-exposed skin. Until then, avoid picking it and use gentle cleanser, moisturiser, shade, and sunscreen on intact skin. Record when you first noticed it, whether it has grown, and any symptoms such as itch, tenderness, scale, crust, or bleeding. Bring photographs taken over time and a list of products or medicines applied there.

Seek an earlier appointment for a sore that repeatedly crusts or bleeds, a firm bump, a patch becoming more uneven, or redness that keeps enlarging. Get urgent help if bleeding will not stop with steady gentle pressure, or if there is rapidly developing swelling, severe pain, fever, or eye involvement. Do not wait for a spot to become painful before arranging assessment.

What features do you see on examination? Does the spot need monitoring, treatment, or a biopsy? How should I protect this area from further sun exposure?