When to worry about a non-healing sore with keratoacanthoma

Keratoacanthoma often looks like a rapidly developing, firm bump with a crater-like centre filled with keratin. A sore may crust, bleed after rubbing, or remain open. Similar features can occur in other lesions, including squamous cell carcinoma, so a clinician may need tissue examination rather than visual monitoring alone.

Keep the area clean and covered if clothing catches it. Avoid squeezing, shaving over, burning, or trying to remove the central plug yourself. Record when you first noticed it and photograph it beside a familiar object for scale; bring this information to the appointment.

Arrange prompt review for noticeable growth, persistent tenderness, repeated bleeding, or a lesion on the face, hands, ears, or another exposed area. Seek urgent help for bleeding that will not stop with pressure, spreading redness, pus, fever, or severe pain.

Ask whether the lesion should be biopsied or removed, whether its position changes the recommended approach, and how to protect the wound afterward. Ask what features would suggest infection and when the dressing or follow-up should be reviewed.