Several kinds of skin lesions are there that are pretty common as well as non-cancerous (benign). Such conditions are seborrheic Kerasotes, benign lentigines, skin tags, freckles, and moles.
Moles basically are growths on the skin that usually are black or brown. These can appear anywhere on the skin, in groups, or alone. Maximum moles appear during early childhood as well as during the first thirty years of the life of a person. Normally it will be somewhere around ten to forty moles by the time one becomes adult.
As years pass by, moles generally change slowly after which they change colour and become raised. Hair develops on these moles often. Few moles will be there that don’t change but some will be there that disappear slowly over time.
Why are Moles formed?
Moles occur primarily when cells in skin grow in clusters rather than being spread throughout your skin. We call these cells melanocytes that make the pigment that provides natural colour to the skin. Moles may become dark when exposed to the sun during teen years as well as during pregnancy.
Kinds of Moles
Congenital nevi moles are moles appearing at birth. These occur in one person out of 100 people. Congenital nevi moles are much likely to develop as melanoma or cancer as compared to moles that develop after birth. Freckle or moles must be checked off their diameter becomes more than a size of a pencil eraser or they show characteristics of ABCDEs of melanoma.
Dysplastic nevi moles are moles that are bigger than average as well as irregular in shape. These tend to possess uneven colour with centres dark brown and edges lighter in shade. Individuals having dysplastic nevi can have 100 plus moles as well as have higher risks of developing melanoma that is a serious form of cancer in skin. Any sort of change in mole must be checked by a dermatologist for evaluating it for skin cancer.
How can I know whether or not my mole is cancerous?
Wide ranges of moles aren’t dangerous. Only moles that should be given medical concern include the ones that appear different when compared to other existing moles or the ones that appear first after 30 years of age. In case individuals notice a change in colour, shape, size, or height of mole, they need consulting their dermatologist or skin doctor for further examination. You must also get your moles checked in case if they are itching, bleeding, oozing, or becoming painful or tender. Examine skin with a mirror or request someone to assist you. Give special attention to regions on skin that are most of the time exposed to the sun, especially areas like ears, face, neck, chest, arms, and hands.
If moles don’t change over time, you shouldn’t have any reason to worry.
In case one sees any sign of change in their existing mole, if they see a new mole, or if they wish their mole to be removed due to cosmetic reasons, they should consult their dermatologist.
