Factors that cause moles to appear
Nevi often appear on the body of a child older than 1 year. They may differ slightly in color and be invisible to parents. Their number is negligible. Adults pay attention if the baby has a lot of moles on his body, but this usually happens during puberty. In teenagers, old, pale moles intensify their color and become more noticeable.
Changes in the shape and color of a mole occur during puberty and pregnancy. Hormonal instability provokes the appearance of new nevi.
The color of moles depends on the amount of melanin that was present in the body at the time of their formation. Nevus is a special pigmentation on the skin. It is believed that if many moles appear on the body, then they have roots. Actually this is not true.
Congenital skin defects increase the risk of nevus development. The vast majority of moles are not cancerous. But under certain factors, some of them can develop into malignant ones and lead to serious health problems.
Should I worry if I have a lot of moles on my body?
Many moles on the body - what does this mean? A large number of these skin formations should not always be a cause for concern. Especially if they have been present on the body since birth. You need to start worrying if their number gradually increases, and they become larger in size and change their color. To exclude the degeneration of benign formations into malignant ones, you need to contact a specialist and carry out “preservation”.
In such a situation, it is not necessary to remove them; sometimes it will be enough to stop their appearance. In modern medicine, there are many different ways that can help stop their formation:
using special soap, which can be purchased at any pharmacy;
- use of tar soap;
- applying various creams and ointments to the skin;
- taking vitamin complexes;
- timely treatment and prevention of diseases of the endocrine system.
Are many moles good or bad? It all depends on the nature of their occurrence, as well as on the symptoms that may bother the patient with various malignant tumors. A few signs that should make a patient visit a dermatologist or endocrinologist:
- Swelling and deformation of moles.
- Itching of formations.
- Change in color and size.
All this will indicate that the mole has degenerated into melanoma, which is very dangerous. If the patient begins to act independently, this can lead to: bleeding, blood poisoning and other consequences that are almost irreversible. Therefore, it is not worth the risk.
If there are a lot of moles on the back or other part of the body, they do not cause discomfort and do not change, then you should not worry about their presence. You can consult a specialist about their occurrence, but no more. You need to start worrying if the amount increases sharply, especially after the age of 30.
Also, patients who are diagnosed with a tendency to form new moles should ignore visiting solariums and avoid constant exposure to direct sunlight on open areas of the body. This can lead to the degeneration of a mole into melanoma.
Hormonal causes of moles
If many moles appear on the body, then the reasons may be hidden in a hormonal imbalance. Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy, puberty, or diabetes contribute to the appearance of nevi.
In children with active growth and during the transition period, changes in biochemical growth factors occur. One reason is stem cell activity. With growth, the area of the skin increases, the pituitary gland produces melacortin, a hormone responsible for the synthesis of melanin, the production of corticosteroids in the adrenal cortex and metabolism.
Hormonal changes are not easy to stop, and in some cases cannot be stopped. The appearance of teenage moles is normal, provided that the spots appear evenly and of the correct shape.
You should monitor your hormonal levels if many moles appear on your body. Reasons causing an increase in the number of nevi:
- teenage years;
- pregnancy, after childbirth, after abortion, during menopause in women;
- in men with testicular disease, with a malfunction of the pituitary gland, with increased production of the hormone estrogen;
- severe stress;
- after infectious diseases;
- for skin diseases;
- With age, the number of nevi increases, this is due to hormonal changes and aging of the body.
Are many moles good or bad?
Is it good or bad when many moles appear on the body?
Let's answer this exciting question and figure out whether this is a cause for concern.
Most people have no more than 40 moles on their body, but there are also those whose skin is simply strewn with small and fairly large pigmented formations.
Is it worth paying attention to them? A large number of tumors on the skin - is it good or bad?
Let's find out when there are a lot of moles on the body, what it means, why they appear and in what cases you need to contact a specialist.
Causes of a large number of nevi
Many moles appear on the body due to many factors, including various diseases and exposure to external irritants.
The main causes of nevi:
- solar radiation. When exposed to ultraviolet rays on the skin, the activity of melanocytes is activated, which are responsible for the transformation of melanin in skin tissue - the formation of moles. This is why the largest number of moles on the body appear in places that are constantly exposed to UV radiation: on the arms, face, shoulders and legs;
- hormonal disbalance. It is not difficult to remember that during puberty in adolescence or during pregnancy the largest number of moles appeared. This is a physiological process in which the hormonal status changes dramatically, provoking changes in the skin tissues in the form of the appearance of new nevi. Their number may increase after severe stress, during menopause or after hormonal therapy;
- external factors. These include exposure to X-rays, long-term non-healing skin lesions and insect bites, which can become a gateway to infection. In the future, moles are likely to appear in this place.
From birth
When a child has many moles on his body, then in most cases it is worth talking about a hereditary predisposition to increased formation of pigmented skin cells.
This process is especially accelerated when such a child spends a lot of time in the sun, receiving more and more portions of sunlight.
Photo: giant nevus
More often, nevi are localized in children on the back, arms, legs and chest.
Reds
If red nevi appear on the body in large numbers, a person should not worry too much: they will never degenerate into melanoma.
An abundance of red growths on the skin occurs for the following reasons:
- pathology of the circulatory system: deformation and proliferation of blood vessels, veins, arteries;
- disruptions in the functioning of the cardiovascular system (in particular, diseases of the pancreas) and gastrointestinal tract;
- problems with lipid metabolism;
- liver diseases;
- cell pigmentation disorders;
- abuse of solarium.
Photo: vascular nevus
Hanging
If a person begins to develop many hanging moles, then this is a sure sign of his infection with the papilloma virus, which provokes the rapid growth of nevi on the stalk.
Their danger lies in the risk of injury, so you need to get rid of them.
But first, the patient is prescribed a test for papillomavirus and subsequently drug treatment aimed specifically at combating the provocateur.
In addition to the described reason for the appearance of hanging nevi, other provoking factors are also considered:
- genetic predisposition to the formation of moles from the border cells between the dermis and epidermis;
- hormonal surges when hanging nevi appear after childbirth or during puberty;
- UV irradiation, if a person has neoplasms of this nature after prolonged tanning in the scorching sun.
Hanging moles are most often localized on the face, neck and chest, but can appear in other places and even on the genitals.
Photo: hanging moles on the neck
What is the danger
When a person has more than 40 moles all over his body, he has a greater risk of developing melanoma than someone who has 5-10 nevi.
Therefore, such people should regularly monitor the condition of each neoplasm, self-examining them and visiting an oncodermatologist for preventive purposes.
If nevi on the body do not secrete fluid, do not become inflamed, do not change size or color, or itch, then even a large number of them does not pose any danger.
In this case, the difficulty is only in observing the moles, and not in their number. Indeed, among most neoplasms, it is sometimes difficult to see one that has signs of degeneration, especially when it is located on the back of a man or woman. And melanoma can form both in a person with 50 nevi, and in the owner of 5 moles.
- You need to be especially careful with your skin in places where the most tumors are located: on the neck, shoulders, face, chest. You should avoid rubbing or injuring the skin in these areas of the body.
- Nevi that form on the palms, soles, and arms of a woman or man are especially dangerous. They are constantly rubbed and can become damaged, which increases the risk of developing melanoma.
What to do if moles appear in these places?
What to do if a mole on your face hurts?
What is the name of a mole doctor? Read on. In order to prevent degeneration, such neoplasms must be removed.
Signs
When a person develops a large number of nevi, he should know the main 6 signs of a dangerous neoplasm.
For convenience, they are grouped according to the following scheme:
- A – asymmetry: if you visually draw a horizontal or vertical line through the middle of the nevus, the two halves should be identical. In case of their asymmetry, melanoma is suspected;
- K – edge: a jagged, protruding or uneven edge indicates the degeneration of a mole. In a healthy neoplasm they are even and smooth;
- K – bleeding: is a sign of malignancy of the nevus. Any discharge from a mole is also considered a sign of degeneration;
- O – color: must have a uniform structure without spots or foreign inclusions;
- P – size: the larger it is, the higher the risk of tumor degeneration;
- D – dynamics: any change with a nevus can be considered a sign of melanoma.
What to do if at least one sign from the test described above can be applied to a mole?
Urgently seek the advice of an oncodermatologist, who will conduct an appropriate examination of the nevus, take an analysis if necessary, and determine further actions in relation to the disturbing neoplasm. Most likely it will be deleted.
Video: “Removing moles”
What to do
There is no need to panic right away, because a very large number of moles is not a sign of melanoma, but the need for a careful and attentive attitude towards your body.
- Daily examination of all neoplasms should become an integral part of the lives of such people.
- A trip to an oncodermatologist would be a good idea: only a specialist can identify the initial stage of transformation of even one of the many small moles.
Photo: examination of moles by a specialist
If the doctor does not find any suspicious growths on your body, then in the future you should adhere to simple rules:
- regular self-examination of all small and large nevi for dynamic changes;
- wearing loose clothing made from natural fabrics;
- using soft sponges for washing in the shower or bath;
- limiting prolonged exposure to direct sunlight;
- use of sunscreens with an SPF factor above 50.
If a large number of nevi appear in areas of increased risk of rubbing or injury (on the back, chest, palms, feet), they must be removed in an appropriate way, after consulting with an oncodermatologist.
Questions and answers
Many red moles have appeared on the body, what does this mean?
It is impossible to say for sure why such changes occur in the skin.
Is it dangerous if a hanging mole becomes inflamed?
What does a mole above the lip mean? Find out here.
What to do if a mole is covered with a crust with black dots? Read here.
After all, this may be preceded by various reasons, such as pathology of capillaries, malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, and lipid metabolism disorders.
Therefore, to establish the true cause, patients are recommended to undergo a comprehensive examination.
New nevi appeared during pregnancy
This fact is predictable, since during pregnancy a hormonal surge occurs.
- As a result, active pigmentation of cells begins with melanin accumulated in the skin tissues and many new moles appear or old ones increase in size.
- Nevi appear on the stomach, face, chest and other parts of the body; they can be either flat or convex, red and hanging.
Is it possible to sunbathe if there are a large number of birthmarks on the body?
Nowadays it is fashionable to have a bronze skin color, but not every visitor to the beach or solarium is interested in whether it is possible to sunbathe if there are many nevi on the body.
You can sunbathe, but only before 10 am and after 6 pm; being under the open sun at this time will not harm the skin and the moles on it.
The rest of the time, UV radiation provokes increased production of melanin by melanocytes, which accumulates in the skin tissue and causes the appearance of more and more moles.
It is known that solar radiation can influence a nevus to degenerate into melanoma.
Therefore, when tanning, you must follow the rules of being in the sun, using sunscreen.
Photo: many spots after sunbathing
If small
In this way, the skin responds to severe sunburn when melanin is produced with greater force.
When there is an excess of it, a “rash” of small black spots occurs on the skin.
What does this mean and should we be afraid of it? Doctors classify this skin reaction as protective and do not consider it dangerous.
If small nevi are light in color, then there is a possibility that they will disappear on their own.
- Some people argue that multiple appearances of small moles are signs that a person has committed a significant act in life.
- What interpretation means is up to each individual to decide. It is more important to monitor each new mole on your body.
Prevention measures
Answering the question of why a person develops a large number of skin tumors, many doctors agree that their occurrence is initially embedded in DNA from an early age.
Therefore, in most cases it is impossible to radically influence their number.
But still, there are other reasons for the appearance of moles, which are attributed to external factors.
Therefore, it is possible to determine the main measures to prevent the multiple occurrence of neoplasms, which include:
- limiting long-term exposure to solar radiation;
- absence of injuries and damage to the skin, careful attitude towards oneself;
- wearing loose clothing without pressing or rubbing elements;
- use of sunscreens;
- monitoring of general health;
- support of hormonal balance.
Particular attention should be paid to the last item on the list: before planning a pregnancy or the onset of puberty, you should consult an endocrinologist.
Is a large mole dangerous for a newborn?
What does a heart-shaped mole mean? Read here.
Types of moles, photos with descriptions, see here.
The specialist will assess your condition and prescribe a course of formative hormone therapy, which will balance the too sharp jump with subsequent changes in the body of a pregnant woman or teenager.
If there are a lot of large or very small pigment spots on a person’s body, this is not a reason to panic.
In such cases, it is recommended to pay close attention to each of the moles, monitor their condition and observe possible dynamics.
If the latter exists, only in such cases is it worth contacting an oncodermatologist.
Video: “The whole truth about moles!”
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Ultraviolet light is the cause of moles
Melanin production increases under the influence of ultraviolet rays, resulting in a tan. Tyrosine is activated in melanocytes, which helps protect the skin from radiation.
Excessive passion for solarium or tanning leads to an increase in the number of nevi. If many moles appear on the body, then excessive sun exposure is to blame. The biomechanics of the interaction between the skin and the sun's rays is not fully understood, but indirect evidence is the rare formation of nevi on the buttocks.
Moles that increase in size should not be exposed to sunlight. You should not go out in the sun from 11 to 16 hours of the day. After tanning, many moles appear on the body. The appearance of nevi frightens sunbathers.
To reduce the likelihood of new moles appearing, you should give preference to light-colored fabrics in the summer. Excessive radiation can trigger the appearance of cancerous moles, which will rapidly increase in size.
Causes of formations
Children under one year old do not have any formations on their bodies. After a year, barely noticeable spots begin to form, which will become darker over time. But usually there are only a few of them. Let us list the reasons that can lead to the appearance or enlargement of moles.
- The main stage of pigmentation occurs during the development of adolescent sexual activity. At this time, the epidermis is affected by the production of a large number of hormones that rebuild the human body. Thus, rashes may increase on the body.
- Moles that already exist on the body can change over time under the influence of hormonal changes in the body (during pregnancy). They can increase in size, change color and shape.
- UV rays activate the production of melanin in the body. The pigment, accumulating in large quantities, turns into a mole. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause many new moles to appear.
The appearance of moles additionally raises the question of whether they have roots. Since nevi are located at different depths in the epidermal layer, they still have some semblance of a root. But they do not have roots themselves.
Almost all formations are benign; in medicine, these rashes are called a congenital defect of the skin. Moles and age spots do not cause inconvenience and therefore cannot cause harm.
In rare cases, for a number of different reasons, they can degenerate into a malignant formation, and if the necessary measures are taken in time and removed, then problems can be avoided in the future.
Puberty provokes the release of hormones and the growth of moles
Genetic predisposition and aging of the body
Older people often wonder why there are so many moles on their bodies. Indeed, observations show that the older a person is, the greater the number of nevi present throughout the skin. One of the reasons is the gradual appearance of moles throughout life, and by old age a large number is formed, which becomes noticeable.
Another reason why there are so many moles on the body as we age is that the skin is thinner than before. Because of this, deep nevi become more noticeable, brighter, and change color to a darker one.
Hormonal age-related changes also provoke an increase in the size and number of moles.
Those people whose closest relatives have a large number of nevi have a greater predisposition to age spots. It is believed that it depends on race, skin color and nationality, as well as genetic code, which increases the risk of developing nevi on the body.
Heredity is not a guarantee that moles will begin to appear in large numbers. Without provoking factors they do not develop.
Why do a large number of nevi appear on the skin?
The formation of a mole occurs due to the accumulation of melanin in one place. The color depends on the amount of accumulated pigment. They are greatly influenced by hormonal surges. But where they are concentrated means nothing. For example, if a lot of moles begin to appear on your back, this does not mean that this part of your body is in poor condition. There is no place on the body where birthmarks do not appear. They can appear anywhere: on the arms, legs, inside the eyes and even on the mucous membranes.
People are most frightened by red pigment formations. For many years, medicine has been studying this phenomenon, but the reasons for their occurrence are still unknown. Some scientists are inclined to assume that this is some kind of reaction to disturbances in the intestines, but some experts refute this theory. As a result, they were classified as problems with lipid metabolism and dermatological disorders. This is unpleasant and many people are embarrassed by such stains, so they can be removed.
But it should be noted that removal will not get rid of existing problems in the body. Therefore, in the future, many new age spots may appear.
In addition to spots, so-called pedunculated moles, commonly called warts, may appear. They are less attractive in appearance, so everyone tries to get rid of them as quickly as possible, especially in cases where there are a lot of moles on the arms or neck, i.e. in open places. You should seek help if a lot of warts begin to appear. In most cases, this is a sign of papilloma, so you can’t hesitate here.
In this case, you cannot self-medicate. To avoid problems, wart removal should be entrusted to qualified professionals. In this case, you should not go to salons where cutting materials are used, or get rid of them manually.
Many moles are not a cause for concern
Red moles
A person begins to worry when red nevi appear, especially if there are a lot of moles on the body. The reasons for the appearance of red dots are not completely clear, but the study of this phenomenon continues. Many theories have been put forward, but none have become an official part of evidence-based medicine.
One of the reasons for the appearance of red nevi is a malfunction of the large intestine or pancreas. But for now this remains a guess.
Another reason for the appearance of red dots is a violation of lipid metabolism and the development of skin pathology.
In any case, if many moles appear on the body in a short time, you should consult a doctor. Based on the results of tests and visual inspection, a specialist will determine whether they should be disposed of and whether they pose a danger to the body.
Necessary actions
If a person has developed many moles on his body in a short period of time, he needs to understand as soon as possible why this happened in order to determine what to do about it next. Two options are possible: firstly, the abundance of nevi formed in a short period may indicate the development of a malignant melanoma tumor, and secondly, this may be a genetic feature of the body. The likelihood of a serious illness does not mean that you need to panic, you need to do everything calmly and not draw hasty conclusions.
To begin with, a person who has many moles on the back, face, chest, abdomen or other parts of the body should contact a dermatologist or oncologist for consultation and testing. The doctor will conduct an initial visual examination and questioning, which will allow him to form a clinical picture. If any mole alerts a specialist, he can give a referral for hardware diagnostics - dermatoscopy and siascopy. These procedures are non-invasive, meaning that they do not damage the integrity of the skin and are painless. During dermatoscopy, it will be possible to take photographs of the map of skin neoplasms, so that during subsequent observations the doctor can compare the dynamics of nevi.
If a specialist discovers that a mole has begun to transform into melanoma, he will recommend a traditional operation to remove the pathological tumor, and the sooner the better. Also, the process of malignancy may involve many moles located close to each other; in this case, melanoma grows, covering all these neoplasms. If you remove a malignant tumor at an early stage of development, you can most likely avoid complications and relapses.
Moles on legs
Hanging moles are growths on the skin that have a bumpy cap. Color can vary from flesh to dark brown. Sometimes they have a completely invisible stalk or resemble a papilla.
A benign pedunculated mole does not pose a threat to a person, but careless handling of it leads to negative consequences.
Regardless of the color of the nevus, it is based on the pigment melanin, which forms the final color of the mole. The reason for this is a high accumulation of pigment in any area.
Moles on legs can cause the following problems:
- aesthetic discomfort when appearing on the face or neck;
- risk of developing into a malignant neoplasm;
- discomfort when rubbing with clothing or accidentally touching;
- risk of injury, which can lead to the development of cancer, infection and inflammation.
Pedicled moles are not dangerous, but their risk of degeneration into a malignant neoplasm is slightly higher than that of flat moles.
Why are moles dangerous?
Don't panic if you have a lot of moles on your body. The reasons for this should be determined by a doctor. Most nevi are absolutely not dangerous, but it is important to know the symptoms of moles that can become a threat to human health:
- Atypical. They can be recognized immediately when they appear; they have an unclear shape, uneven color and their size is more than 0.5 mm. They are often congenital, can be inherited and require specialist supervision.
- Melanotic Hutchinson's freckles form as a flat spot containing two or more shades. They occur at the age of 50 years and older and form on the face. Their size increases, their color becomes darker, and over time they become malignant.
- Skin neoplasms of unknown etiology form suddenly; a person sees that many moles have appeared on the body, the causes of which are unclear. In 60% of cases, the phenomenon precedes the development of melanoma.
What you should pay attention to and consult a doctor:
- change in color of the mole, especially in the middle;
- increase in thickness or height;
- the appearance of pain or blood;
- redness, swelling;
- itching or burning in the area of the nevus;
- division into several smaller moles, pieces falling off.
How to distinguish a mole from a papilloma and a wart
There are several criteria that allow one to distinguish one or another type of neoplasm on a person’s skin.
Main Difference
The most important and basic difference between moles and papillomas and warts is the origin of the neoplasm. The former are congenital abnormalities of melanin distribution and are usually inherited from parents.
How to distinguish a mole from a papilloma
Warts and papillomas always arise as a result of penetration of the human papillomavirus into the body. It does not matter whether it was transmitted sexually or during childbirth from mother to child.
Appearance
It is not so easy to distinguish growths by appearance, but it is possible if you take into account all the features that separate a mole from a wart or papilloma.
The mole is usually brown in color, the shade may be darker or lighter depending on the concentration of melanin. New growths can be quite large, up to 6-10 mm in diameter. They always have clear edges, uniform color and almost regular shape.
There are no irregularities or depressions on the mole. Its structure is in most cases homogeneous and dense. When touched, the patient may feel a density, but it is moderate. Only in some cases, moles are light in color. However, clarity of outline and shape is the most important external feature.
Papillomas can be soft to the touch, have a wide base or are attached to a thin stalk, are located in several pieces at once and are colored slightly pink or flesh-colored.
They are mobile, in most cases they are small in size, slightly or strongly raised above the surface of the skin. Additionally, the formations have a uniform color, there are no depressions on their surface.
Warts are also pink, flesh-colored, or light brown in color. They have a uniform structure and are very dense to the touch. The edges of such growths are clear, the shape is in most cases round, and the base is wide and is well attached to healthy skin.
It is worth noting that warts on the hands and face are always convex, but on the soles internal growths may appear that do not protrude above the surface of the skin.
Locations
Depending on the location of the growths, their type can be determined.
It is worth noting that any type can appear on different parts of the body, but experts have identified some patterns:
- Nevi appear on the body, face and scalp. Less commonly, they can be seen on the feet, hands and genital area.
- Papillomas are localized in the axillary area, in the genital area, on the neck, and back. Less commonly, they can be found on the body, face, and scalp. The main difference between these growths is that they can even affect internal organs.
- Warts most often affect the hands, feet and face.
Moles in children
The reasons for the appearance of moles are still unknown. As a rule, a child is born with clear skin, but there are exceptions. Up to 6 months, several inconspicuous spots may appear, which parents do not pay attention to. The older the child gets, the more nevi form. Prolonged exposure to the sun helps to increase their size.
Parents are scared that a teenager has many moles on his body, but this is due to hormonal changes and rarely poses a threat.
Moles are divided into vascular and ordinary. Vascular lesions can range in color from pink to bright red and be flat or convex. Parents should pay attention to the size of the nevus. If it is more than 1 cm or is growing, you should consult a doctor for advice.
If a child picks or scratches a mole, apply a clean bandage and consult a doctor to eliminate the risk of infection and check the mole for good quality.
The appearance of moles on the body of an adult. Moles. General information and warning signs
Moles, or nevi, usually form during childhood and adolescence, but adults can also develop new moles. Most moles are benign, but the appearance of new moles or sudden changes in existing moles in adults may be a sign of melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer . According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for only 1% of all skin cancers, but is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths.
Why do new moles appear?
A new mole appears when melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in a person's skin, multiply or divide to form the characteristic moles that appear on the surface of the skin. Melanocytes contain pigment that provides the typical color of a mole.
Moles can be benign or malignant. Malignant moles, such as melanomas, are the result of genetic mutations. The exact cause of benign moles remains unknown.
Possible causes of a new mole include the following:
- exposure to ultraviolet radiation
- bright skin
- genetic factors
- diseases accompanied by damage to the immune system
Types of moles
Moles are divided into different subtypes depending on their properties. The following types of moles are distinguished:
Common mole
Common moles may appear at birth or later in childhood. These moles usually form on areas of the skin that are exposed to sunlight.
An ordinary mole most often has a round, symmetrical shape, a smooth surface and clear edges. Common moles are relatively small, measuring less than 5 millimeters (mm) in diameter.
These moles rarely develop into cancer. However, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), people with more than 50 common moles may have an increased risk of developing melanoma.
Congenital mole
Congenital moles or birthmarks are already present on the skin at the time of birth. Congenital moles can vary greatly in size, and some are quite large.
These moles are usually benign, but having a congenital mole, especially a very large one, may slightly increase your risk of developing melanoma.
According to one study, the lifetime risk of developing melanoma in people with very large congenital moles is 10% to 15%. However, these rates vary across studies.
Atypical mole
Atypical moles, or dysplastic nevi, can appear anywhere on the body and are usually larger than other types of moles.
Their color and texture may vary, and they usually have jagged edges without a clear border with the surrounding skin (blurred).
These moles are usually multi-colored, with areas of pink, red, brown, and dark brown, for example.
According to the American Cancer Society, some atypical moles can become cancerous. However, most atypical moles do not develop into melanomas.
Because atypical moles may have some similarities to melanoma, people should visit a dermatologist to make sure there are no problems.
Nevus Spitz
This rare type of mole is very similar to melanoma, but it is not cancerous. Nevus Spitz usually develops in fair-skinned children and young adults under the age of 20.
Sometimes doctors have difficulty distinguishing between a Spitz nevus and a melanoma, and may recommend removal as a preventative measure.
Spitz nevus grows quickly and can range in size from a millimeter to about a centimeter in diameter. Other characteristics of Spitz nevus include the following:
- round, symmetrical shape
- smooth surface
- star-shaped lines of pigment
Warning signs
Most moles are benign, but people should see a doctor if they notice the appearance of a new mole or recent changes to existing moles.
Warning signs to look out for when examining an existing mole:
- changes in color, shape or size
- pain
- bleeding
The American Cancer Society's ABCDE rule can be used to identify potential melanomas. ABCDE stands for:
- A – Asymmetry. One half of the mole looks different than the other half.
It is also important to examine your nails, feet, and hands, as melanomas can occur in these areas. Not all moles that appear in adulthood are melanomas. However, if a new mole appears, or if a person notices any changes to an existing mole, they should see a doctor or dermatologist for an examination. Although doctors consider melanoma to be the deadliest type of skin cancer, early detection and treatment can make a significant difference improve long-term results. Experts estimate that the five-year survival rate for melanoma diagnosed at an early stage is 98%.
Moles during pregnancy
During pregnancy, many moles may appear on the body. The reasons for the appearance are not always clear, but they are associated with hormonal changes in the body. Neoplasms appear more often in the second trimester.
The appearance of moles indicates that the hormonal system is working properly and can cope with the stress. In some cases, nevi disappear during pregnancy. Often moles disappear after childbirth, but not always.
A darkened nevus during pregnancy indicates an increase in the amount of melanin, which causes the line on the abdomen and areola to darken. A pregnant woman should be alert to moles that have changed in size, lost their clear outline, or become two-colored.
Signs of many moles on the body
People have always treated strange spots on the body with interest. It is believed that the appearance of a nevus indicates an event in a person’s life:
- on the right eyebrow - early marriage;
- on the left eyebrow - an unhappy marriage;
- appears on the left cheek in passionate natures;
- on the right cheek promises success;
- a mole on a woman’s chest speaks of kindness;
- a mole on a man’s stomach is an unshakable character;
- on the shoulder - a calm life;
- on the right hand indicates a housewife, a worker;
- on the left - a lazy person;
- on the ankle indicates an energetic person;
- on the shin - hard work and self-confidence.
When to see a doctor
The appearance of a large number of moles is not a cause for concern. You should monitor them and consult a doctor if their size increases.
There are ways to reduce the spread of nevi. To do this, use tar soap, creams or ointments. Vitamin complexes help reduce the number of moles.
Particular attention should be paid to the functioning of the endocrine system. Moles require regular monitoring. If itching, thickening or swelling is detected, consultation with a specialist is required. When these symptoms appear, the risk of developing melanoma increases.
Under no circumstances should you remove moles yourself, as this can lead to infection. An examination by a dermatologist will determine the degree of risk and the need for removal.