Identifying a common--and benign--geriatric skin lesion.

Typical sebaceous hyperplasia is recognized by the yellowish color, lobulated configuration, and central umbilication. Other skin lesions that may be similar in appearance include basal cell epithelioma, molluscum contagiosum, and xanthoma. Chemical cauterization with phenol or trichloroacetic acid is worth trying if the sebaceous hyperplasia is in the middle or upper dermis. When the hyperplasia extends into the subcutaneous tissue, however, these topical agents are less effective.