These rough brown patches suddenly appeared on my chest and back, and I can’t get checked soon. What could this be?

Distinguishing seborrheic keratoses from skin cancer such as melanoma can be challenging without professional training, but there are some characteristics you can observe. Seborrheic keratoses often have a ‘stuck-on’ appearance, similar to a piece of wax adhered to the skin, and tend to be uniform in color.

In contrast, melanoma may display asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colors, and changes in size over time. The ‘ABCDE’ rule (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than 6mm, and Evolving) is a helpful guideline when assessing suspicious skin lesions. If a patch meets any of these criteria, seek medical advice promptly.

Several other conditions can cause brown patches on the skin. Lentigines, often called age spots or liver spots, are common and benign, typically appearing as flat, brown patches resulting from sun exposure. Tinea versicolor, a fungal infection, can also cause patchy skin discoloration, though it is often more noticeable in lighter-skinned individuals.