Moles on the body and face. Causes of appearance, types, which are dangerous and non-dangerous, photos, how to delete and whether it is possible

Someone believes that a huge number of moles on the body is a sign of a happy fate, while someone, on the contrary, believes that this is an alarming signal. From the moment of birth, moles on the human body appear throughout the body, some of them increase in size.

What are moles

Moles are small formations on the human body, more often – darker than the main skin tone, the reason for the appearance of moles is natural pigment deformities.   A mole is an excessive accumulation of melanin in the skin cells or a small area of the skin with a concentrated arrangement of small capillaries.

Causes of moles

A number of factors influence the appearance of moles on the human body – the place of residence, climatic conditions, and the level of solar radiation. Residents of southern latitudes, as a rule, have more moles on their bodies, and this is directly related to solar activity. The appearance of moles on the human body is a normal process that begins in childhood and is most active in old age.

Differences between a dangerous mole and a non-dangerous mole

There are two varieties of moles on the human body. Normal – do not pose any threat to health and malignant – the state of which must be observed, deformations of such a mole can harm health. As dermatologists say, the mole from which the hair grows – and this is often found on the human body – is definitely normal.

A malignant mole can attract your attention with a different shape from the rest, uneven color, excessive bulge.

Types of Dangerous Moles

There are several varieties of moles that may require your attention. Congenital nevi, dramatically changing their shape or size, as well as causing discomfort – pain, itching, etc. is worth examining.

Moles that reach a large size – more than 0’4 inch in diameter should also be observed by a specialist. The red color of the mole is not a cause for concern. Such a formation can occur with the accumulation of a large number of capillaries in the layers of the epithelium.

Fibroepithelial Nevus

This formation looks like a small ball with a diameter of up to one and a half inch. The fibroepithelial nevus has a soft structure, the color is similar in tone to the rest of the moles on the body. Before puberty, such moles appear on the human body.

The reasons for the appearance are natural biochemical processes that occur less often in adulthood. Such a mole can cause only aesthetic discomfort.

Intradermal Nevus

Another variety of benign formations that form before the end of the puberty. Most often localized in places of skin folds – on the armpits, in the groin area. The main reason for the dermatological removal of such skin lesions is frequent injury when shaving, removing and putting on clothes.

Papillomatous nevus

This type of mole is a convex formation on the surface of the skin that has a tuberous structure. The name “papillomatous nevus” is associated with external resemblance to papillomas on the human body.

Most often localized on the head , hiding under the hair, and in most cases does not cause discomfort.

Nevus Setton

According to its symptoms, Setton’s nevus is a mole on the human body that resembles a manifestation of Vitiligo – that is, discoloration (bleaching) of the skin. The cause of the appearance may be an autoimmune disease or prolonged interaction with ultraviolet rays. This is the name of a mole surrounded by a small area of skin that is devoid of natural pigment.

Lentigo

“Senile freckles” – this is also called this kind of pigmentation, which affects not only the elderly. These formations are flat, intradermal, their color varies from pale yellow to dark brown. The main reason for the emergence of lentigo in old age is hormonal changes, the natural aging of the skin.

Heredity plays an important role in skin pigmentation, and knowing your “family phototype” you can choose the ideal time in the open sun.

Atypical nevus

Some moles on the human body (typical), the owner himself does not notice immediately, while others, such as the atypical nevus, the cause of which lies in the genetic predisposition and external influences, appear gradually, throughout life. Such moles reach a diameter of more than 0’4 inch, have fuzzy borders and a heterogeneous color.

Mongolian spot

The Mongolian spot is an atypical pigmented spot of a bluish color, most often localized in the pelvic, on the buttocks. This pigmentation, as a rule, temporarily appears in newborns due to the concentration of pigment in one area of the skin.

Are moles on the face dangerous

Dermatologists say that moles on the human body most often have the highest concentration per cm2. skin on the face. The cause of the appearance of neoplasms in this area can also be found in the genes of parents and grandparents. Moles on the face are not dangerous if you do not injure them, if they do not change in shape, color and texture.

Is there a danger in large moles

Large moles require medical supervision. Melanoma – a malignant formation that has a risk of a tumor, differs from an ordinary mole in size (hypertrophy), an irregular shape and a color different from other moles.

Particular attention should be paid to checking large moles and moles that are suspicious if one of the relatives had skin cancer.

Is there a danger in convex moles

The same can be said about convex moles. “Sagging” moles are dangero
us because they are most susceptible to mechanical injury (they are easy to hurt when changing clothes), it is more difficult to hide from an excess of sunlight. However, the removal of such a mole is possible only after consulting a dermatologist-oncologist.

Is there a danger in red moles

The red color of the mole indicates the accumulation of a node of small capillaries under the skin. Red moles are not harmful to human health, but in case of discomfort, including aesthetic, consultation with a dermatologist is required. The method for removing such a blood clot is a laser.

Is there a danger in hanging moles

Hanging moles on the human body most often appear already in adulthood. The reason for their appearance is primarily the natural aging process and constant mechanical stress. It is for the second reason that such moles are most often localized in the axillary zone and on the neck. Such moles become dangerous when they change in size due to permanent damage.

Is there a danger in rough moles

A mole with a heterogeneous or rough surface occurs in a place subject to constant friction. Symmetrical and round moles with a rough surface and uniform color pose no danger.

Is there a danger in moles with uneven edges

Asymmetric moles are just the type of neoplasm that requires observation by specialists. What matters is not even the form of the mole itself, but the dynamics of its development. Neoplasms that are rapidly growing and changing in shape and color must be shown to a dermatologist.

Which doctor should I contact if there is a suspicion that a mole is dangerous

Each time you find a new mole on your body that makes you suspicious, you need to consult a dermatologist. Some moles cannot be studied on their own, for this you need proper lighting and a magnifying glass. If the suspicions are confirmed, the dermatologist writes out a referral for consultation with an oncologist.

How is the diagnosis carried out

The primary diagnosis at the dermatologist is carried out using a magnifier with a lighting frame. A dermatoscope allows a specialist to determine the properties of the nevus and prevent skin diseases in the early stages. Samples of “suspicious” moles can be taken for biopsy.

The difference between melanoma and moles

Specialists of the “Fund for the fight against skin cancer”, together with the social project “Skin Checker”, compiled a “skin check” system that allows you to independently distinguish malignant moles from ordinary “safe” nevi:

1. Check for the symmetry of a mole – a normal mole has a weak asymmetry or the same mirror image.
2. The normal nevus has neat, even edges, while the mole at the stage of development of melanoma changes its shape, “spreads”.
3. A mole that transforms into melanoma has several color shades, for example, black and brown, and a normal mole in most cases is uniform in color.
4. Malignant neoplasms reach a size larger than the eraser on the tip of a pencil, while a normal mole is usually small in size.
5. Any changes in the nevus should be shown to a dermatologist to prevent the birthmark from turning into melanoma.

Can a mole turn into melanoma

Yes, maybe such transformations occur due to private mechanical irritation, prolonged exposure to solar radiation, changes in hormonal levels.

What everyone can do today to reduce the risk of moles progressing to melanoma is to use a soft sponge when using a shower, and also to avoid areas of skin covered with moles when shaving.

What happens if you injure or strip a mole

Do not injure, strip off skin areas covered with moles intentionally. If trauma occurred, then the first thing to do is to provide yourself with medical care. Treat the injury site with hydrogen peroxide and try to stop the bleeding, and then immediately go to the doctor for a consultation and follow his instructions.

In some cases, a torn mole can be removed, but this is possible only in a clinical setting.

Is it dangerous if a mole grows

A mole may begin to increase in size due to mechanical stress, such as during frequent shaving or hair removal. The growth of moles can be dangerous, so you need to observe the changes with your doctor.

Is it dangerous if a mole itches

If the mole is itchy, you must definitely see a specialist. In this case, the doctor will either make a positive conclusion – allergic skin reactions, or hair growth from a mole, are possible, or he will advise further observation.

What does bleeding from a mole mean

Bleeding from a mole is an alarm that cannot be ignored. In this case, you cannot self-medicate and postpone the examination of this area of the skin “in the long box,” but you can stop bleeding yourself with chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide.

There can be many reasons for such bleeding – from banal sloppiness to combing due to an allergic reaction. But in the vast majority of cases, the cause of bleeding is mechanical injury.

Mole Removal Methods

Moles are removed in several ways. Moles are removed using electric current, laser, radio waves, invasive surgery, as well as liquid nitrogen. After removing the mole, you should observe a seam or scar that could remain from the procedure. Usually the healing process does not take more than a week.

Doctors advise not to touch the crust formed on the site of the removed mole, do not usd this place with a washcloth or even a soft sponge while taking a shower.

The pink spot remaining after falling off the crust should be protected as much as possible from exposure to sunlight. To do this, use tight clothing, sunscreen with high protective filters, or apply a protective bandage to the surface of the skin at the site of removal of the mole.

Laser Removal

Laser removal of moles is an “attack” of a tumor with a concentrated beam of light. When using modern equipment, the laser apparatus does not create skin burns, previously, especially if the
mole is large, the patient is given local anesthesia.

Surgical removal

Surgical intervention is resorted to remove large moles, convex and dense. Local anesthesia is used, which makes the procedure painless. The specialist uses a sterile scalpel to remove the mole when performing the removal. This method is not used to remove moles from the face, as surgical intervention may leave small scars.

X-ray radiation

X-ray radiation is one of the causes of moles. This is an irritating factor that “pushes” pigmented cells closer to the surface of the epidermis.

X-ray radiation has a number of effects on human biological systems.

So, an abundant dose of radiation can change the chemical composition of the blood, as well as lead to the immutability of a new, transformed composition, increases the risk of cataracts and types of cancer. But all these negative consequences await those who are constantly and continuously exposed to direct radiation.

Cryodestruction

Moles localized in the upper layers of the skin are recommended to be removed using the cryodestruction procedure – that is, by freezing. During the removal of the mole, the patient may feel numbness of the area of the skin to which cotton wool is applied, “saturated” with liquid nitrogen.

Destructive (destructive) mole removal is used in cases of deep “germination” of the mole into the skin. Using a needle, a mole is frozen “from the inside”.

A liquid nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen is a liquefied gas with a low temperature. When used correctly, it is not dangerous to humans. Used in industry, medicine and cosmetology.

There are several drawbacks to performing a mole removal procedure using liquid nitrogen:

1. Firstly, it is likely that the mole is not completely removed and the procedure will have to be repeated.
2. Secondly, a remote mole cannot be used as a biopsy material.

Radio wave removal

Removing moles using radiation is a method that has long been practiced in medicine. This is the least traumatic method that allows you to contactlessly cut the skin and tighten it, restoring damaged tissue. However, for people with pacemakers, this method of removing moles will not work.

Moles are a part of our body that needs to be carefully monitored. The condition of moles that bother you should not be triggered; consult a doctor as soon as you notice a change. Checking moles is a matter of 5 minutes, which can cost you and your loved ones decades of good health.

Electrocoagulation

This method is used to remove moles on the face. Small moles on the human body are removed. The reason for the appearance of such a restriction is a possible trauma to the skin, the appearance of scars. The doctor first conducts local anesthesia. Layer by layer, the skin is cut off with an electrocoagulator, then the damaged tissues are combined and restored.

Video about the causes of moles on the body

The causes of the birthmark, see the video clip:

Whether moles on the body are dangerous, find out in the video clip: