Symptoms and treatment of Moles

Description

Moles, also known as nevi, are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small, dark brown spots that are caused by clusters of pigment-forming cells called melanocytes. Most people have 10 to 45 moles appear during childhood and adolescence. How these mol appearance can change with the time. It can also disappear with time.

Most moles are harmless. Rarely, they become cancerous. Be aware of the changes in the moles and other pigmented patches is important to discover the skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma.

Symptoms

The typical mole is a small brown stain. But the moles come in different colors, shapes and sizes:

The Color and the texture. Moles can be brown, light brown, black, blue, red, or pink. It can be smooth, rough, flat or raised. You may have hair growing from them.
Way. The majority of moles are oval or round.
Size. Moles are usually less than 1/4 inch (about 6 mm) in diameter, the size of a pencil eraser. Those present at the birth, known as nevus, congenital, can be larger and cover part of the face, trunk or extremities.

Moles can grow in any part of the body, including the scalp and armpits, as well as under the fingernails and between the fingers and toes. Most people have 10 to 45 moles. Many of these moles occur by the age of 40 years. Moles may change or disappear over time. They may become larger and darker with hormonal changes that occur during adolescence and during pregnancy.

Groups of brown spots around the eyes, cheeks, and nose are dermatosis papulosa nigra — a type of seborrheic keratosis is a benign and appear as waxy brown, black or beige, growths. There are groups of pigment formation of cells, known as a nevus. Dermatosis papulosa nigra are more common among Black women. These lesions carry a risk of melanoma, but they can be treated as a cosmetic problem.

Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma

A mole can be a sign of skin cancer if you have irregular edges or an asymmetrical shape, or if the changes in the color, shape, size or height. This ABCDE guide can help you remember what to watch for:

A is for asymmetrical shape. One half is unlike the other half.
B is for border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders.
C is for color changes. Look for growths that have changed in color, they have many colors or have streaks.
D is the diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger than 1/4 inch (about 6 mm).
E is for evolution. Watch for moles that change size, shape, color, or height. In addition, the new symptoms may arise, such as itching or bleeding.

Moles are cancerous, also known as malignant moles, vary greatly in how they look. Some may show all the changes mentioned above. Others may have only one or two unusual traits.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care professional if a mole look unusual, grow or change in any other way.

Causes

Moles occur when cells in the skin called melanocytes grow in clusters. Melanocytes are usually distributed all over the skin. They produce melanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its color.

Complications

Melanoma is the main complication of moles. Some people have an average risk of your moles to become cancerous, and that leads to a melanoma. Factors that elevate the risk of melanoma include:

Born with large polka dots. This kind of moles are called nevi are congenital. They are divided based on the estimation of its adult size. Large and nevus congenital giant of more than 20 centimeters in diameter, are at greater risk of developing melanoma.
Have unusual moles. Lunar large with an irregular border, are known as the nevi, atypical, also known as dysplastic nevi. They tend to run in families.
Have many moles. With more than 50 moles suggests an increased risk of melanoma and, possibly, breast cancer.
Have a personal or family history of melanoma. If you have had melanoma before, there is a greater risk of developing melanoma again. In addition, some types of nevi, atypical lead to a genetic form of melanoma.
The use of tanning lamps or beds. Tanning lamps and beds of release of the UV rays and can increase your risk of skin cancer.

Prevention

The following measures can help limit the growth of moles, and the main complication of moles: the melanoma.

Be aware of changes

Familiarize yourself with the location and pattern of your moles. Regularly look at your skin for any changes that may indicate melanoma. Do self-exams of the skin monthly. With the help of mirrors, a head-to-toe check, including:

The scalp.
Palms of the hands and nails.
The underarms.
Chest.
Legs.
The feet, including the soles of the feet and between the toes.
Genital area and between your buttocks.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors for melanoma and if you need a professional skin exam on a regular basis.

Protect your skin

Take steps to protect your skin from the ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as sunlight or tanning beds. UV radiation has been linked to an increased risk of melanoma. And the children who have not been protected from exposure to the sun tend to grow more moles.

Stay out of the sun during the peak hours. For many people in North America, the sun's rays are strongest between 10 am and 2 pm to Try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even on cloudy days or during the winter. When you are outdoors, seek shade or use an umbrella to protect you from the sun.
Use sunscreen all year round. Apply sunscreen to dry skin around 15 minutes before going outdoors, even on cloudy days. The use of a broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply generously and reapply every two hours or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
Wear protective clothing. Sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts and other clothing can protect you from harmful UV rays. You may also want to think about the clothes made with fabric specially treated to block UV radiation.
Do not use sun lamps or beds. Tanning lamps and beds of release of the UV rays that can increase your risk of skin cancer.

Diagnosis

Your health care professional can diagnose moles of looking at your skin. During a skin exam, your healthcare provider looks at your skin from head to toe. If your healthcare provider thinks that a mole may be cancerous, it is removed and sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.

You can choose to make an examination of the skin of a regular part of your preventive health care. Talk with your health care professional about the schedule that is right for you.

Treatment

Most moles do not require treatment. If you are self-conscious about a mole, you could try makeup to help hide. If you have a hair growing from a mole, you might try trimming near the surface of the skin or plucking. At any moment you cut or irritate a mole, keep the area clean. Consult your health care professional if a mole is not a cure.

You can also talk to your dermatologist about the surgical removal of a mole, if it bothers you, or if you notice suspicious changes in it. The removal of a mole, is a quick procedure that is usually done on an outpatient basis. During the removal of a mole, your healthcare provider will numb the area around the mole and short, along with a margin of healthy skin, if necessary. The procedure may leave a permanent scar. People with Black skin are at higher risk of other surgical side effects, such as changes in pigmentation, where the cut is, and keloid scars, which are raised scars after an injury heals.

If you notice that a mole has grown again, consult your health care professional immediately.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have a mole that concerns you, your health care professional normally, you can know if it is normal or needs to be studied further. Your healthcare provider may send you to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the skin, known as a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.

It is a good idea to arrive to your appointment well prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

List of all the changes that I have noticed or any new symptoms that you are having. Include any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
Bring a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you take.
If you have had a melanoma or a mole removed in the past, note the location of the injury and the date of the removal. If you have the report of the biopsy, bring it with you.
Do not wear makeup or opaque nail Polish to your appointment. These products make it difficult for the health professional to do a thorough examination.
List of questions to ask your health care professional.

For moles, a few basic questions to ask your health care professional include:

Do you think that this mole could be cancerous?
What is the best course of action?
How do I know if a mole needs to be looked at?
Can I keep more moles of growth?
Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take my house? What sites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask several questions, such as:

When did you first notice this mole?
You've always had, or is new?
Have you noticed any change in this mole, such as color or shape?
Have you had any other moles surgically in the past? If so, do you know if they were unusual, known as nevi, atypical, or malignant?
Do you have a family history of nevi and atypical melanoma or other types of cancer?
Have you had a peeling sunburn or with frequency has been exposed to UV radiation, such as tanning beds?