MOLES! Why do moles appear and what are moles? A mole on the skin is also known as a nevus (mole) or a sign of beauty. It is quite normal to have moles and usually most of moles are not harmful. These moles are not contagious, and moles do not hurt, moles don't irritate, and moles don't bleed either. if you suspect a mole is abnormal go to your regular health care provider or dermatologist.
Why moles appear and what we need to know about moles?
Contents:
- What is a mole? What does one look like?
- What are the types of moles
- What you need to know about them
- How common they are
- Where they occur most often
- Is it normal for moles to bleed?
- Are pigmented lesions the same as moles?
- What does it mean if a new mole appears after the age of 30?
- Why do moles appear?
- What makes moles darker?
- Why should I check my mole skin?
- Signs that should send you to a dermatologist
What is a mole? What does one look like?
Your skin is the main and largest organ in our body. Moles (a "nevus" or "nevi" are medical terms) are growths on the skin that vary in color from the natural tone of your skin to brown or black. Moles they can appear on any part of the skin or mucous membranes, sometime alone and sometime in groups.
Most skin moles appear in early childhood and in the first 20 years of life. It is normal for a person to have between 10 and 40 moles by adulthood.
The average life of a normal mole is approximately almost 50 years. As the years go by, the moles usually change slowly, becoming taller and lighter in color. Hair often appears on the mole. Some moles will not change at all, and others will slowly disappear over time.
What are the types of moles?
Ordinary moles: This is a normal mole, a small growth on the skin that is pink or brown and has a distinct edge.
Congenital nevi: These are moles discovered on the skin when you were born. Congenital nevi this is type that can occur to one person in a group of 100 people.
These moles may be more likely to turn into melanoma than moles that appear after birth. If the mole on the skin is more than eight millimeters in diameter, it has a higher risk of becoming cancerous.
Dysplastic nevi: These moles are larger than a pencil eraser and have an irregular shape. Dysplastic nevi tend to have an uneven color, with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These moles tend to be hereditary (inherited), and people who have them can have more than 100 moles. If you have dysplastic nevi, then you have a higher chance of developing malignant (cancerous) melanoma.
Any change in a mole should be checked by a dermatologist for skin cancer.
What you need to know moles
How common are moles?
Moles are very common. Normally people have average moles between 10 and 40.
Where they occur most frequently?
Most moles grow on parts of your body that are exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation). You may notice that the more moles you see the longer you stay in the sun.
Is it normal for moles to bleed?
You should consult a dermatologist if your moles are bleeding.
Are pigmented lesions the same as moles?
A "pigmented lesion" is a general term that includes normal moles, sun freckles or age spots (lentigines).
Although most pigmented lesions will not become cancerous, if you have many or unusual lesions, you should consult a dermatologist regularly for a complete skin examination.
Regular monitoring allows the dermatologist to identify changes in lesions that appear "suspicious." A change can cause a biopsy to be performed skin (removal of a mole sample for detailed examination under a microscope), which can help determine if a lesion is non-cancerous (benign), melanoma or another type of skin cancer.
What does it mean if a new mole appears after the age of 30?
Always be careful if you are over 30 and find a new mole. It is probably harmless, but you should consult your doctor.
Why do moles appear?
Moles occur when skin cells grow in groups instead of spreading throughout the skin. Most moles are made up of cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment that gives your skin its natural color.
What makes moles darker?
Moles can become darker after sun exposure, during pregnancy and during puberty. Especially in pregnancy, moles usually change on a same pattern this all is due to your hormonal changes. For instance, they may become darker in color, or they may increase in size. However, if a mole changes in an irregular or uneven manner, seek evaluation by a dermatologist.
Why should I check my mole skin?
Our skin is the main portion and the largest organ in human beings and also among those few body organs that you can see. Being proactive when it comes to preventing skin cancer is important to your health.
This is especially true if:
- You have light skin.
- You have too many moles on your skin.
- Close members of your family have many moles, atypical moles, or a history of skin cancer.
In addition to limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen every day, examining moles increases the chances of early detection and treatment of melanoma and other skin cancers.
Dermatologists recommend examining your skin every month. Most moles are benign (non-cancerous). If you notice changes in the color or appearance of a mole, seek evaluation of the mole by a dermatologist. You should also have your moles checked for bleeding, sweating, itching, scaly hair, or becoming sensitive or painful.
Signs that should refer you to a dermatologist
If a mole shows any of the signs listed below, go to a dermatologist immediately to check it
- Asymmetry: If one half of the mole on the skin does not match the other half
- Edge: If the edge or edges of your mole are ragged, blurred, or uneven.
- Color: If the color of the mole is not the same on the entire surface or has shades of several colors, such as brown, brown, black, blue, white or red.
- Diameter: If the diameter of the mole is larger than the eraser of a pencil.
- Elevation / Evolution: If the mole becomes raised after it has been flattened or changes in a short period of time.
- The most common site of melanoma in men is the back; in women, it is the lower leg. Melanoma is the most common cancer in women between the ages of 25 and 29.
- If the dermatologist determines that the mole is a cause for concern, he or she will perform a skin biopsy, in which a small sample is taken from the mole to be examined under a microscope.
- Usually, a diagnosis can be made in less than a week. If the mole is found to be cancerous, it must be removed completely.