Moles

A mole is a growth in the skin which is usually brown or black and can appear anywhere on the skin either singularly or in a group. Most moles appear in early childhood and during the first 20 years of a person’s life. Some moles might not appear until later in life. It is normal to have between 10 and 40 moles by adulthood. The passage of time will almost always cause the mole to change becoming raised and lighter in color. Often, hairs develop on the mole. Some moles will not change at all, while others will slowly disappear over time.  Moles are caused when the cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These cells are called melanocytes, and they make the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Moles might darken after exposure to the sun, during the teen years, and during pregnancy.

What should I look for when examining my moles?

Most moles are benign. The only moles that are of medical concern are those that look different than other existing moles or those that first appear after age 20. If you notice changes in a mole’s color, height, size, or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful. A self examination before a mirror is proper once in a while paying special attention  to areas of your skin that are often exposed to the sun, such as the hands, arms, chest, neck, face, and ears.

What are the different types of moles?

Congenital nevi are moles that appear at birth. Congenital nevi occur in about one in 100 people. These moles might be more likely to develop into melanoma than are moles that appear after birth. If the mole is more than eight inches in diameter, it poses a significant risk of becoming cancerous.

Dysplastic nevi are moles that are larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These moles tend to be hereditary. People with dysplastic nevi might have more than 100 moles and have a greater chance of developing malignant (cancerous) melanoma. Any changes in the mole should be checked by a dermatologist to detect skin cancer.

How are moles treated?

Your dermatologist will always evaluate your mole to advice whether it needs to be entirely removed by taking a biopsy for examination under a microscope. The procedure is a simple one and if the mole is found to be cancerous the dermatologist will remove the entire mole by cutting it off entirely and a rim of normal skin around it and then stitch the wound closed.

Skin tags

A skin tag is small flap hanging off the skin by a connecting stalk. They are more often than not benign and not dangerous and may be found on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breast or in the groin area. Skin tags appear most frequently in women especially those with weight issues and in elderly people. They do not always cause pain but they can become irritated if they are rubbed by anything like clothing or jewelry.  If you are concerned about your skin tags then you dermatologist can remove them by cutting them off with a scalpel or scissors, with Cryotherapy or electro-surgery.

Lentigo

A lentigo (plural: lentigines) is a spot on the skin that is darker (usually brown) than the surrounding skin. Lentigines are more common among whites, especially those with fair skin. Exposure to the sun seems to be the major cause of lentigines. Lentigines most often appear on parts of the body that get the most sun, including the face and hands. Some lentigines might be caused by genetics (family history) or by medical procedures such as radiation therapy. Lentigines are treated through several methods such as Cryotherapy, laser surgery, and topical creams applied directly on the skin. The best way to prevent lentigines is to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Use sunscreen when outdoors, and avoid using a tanning bed to get a suntan.

Freckles

Freckles are themselves small brown spots usually found on the face and arms. Freckles are extremely common and are not a health threat. They are more often seen in the summer, especially among lighter-skinned people and people with light or red hair. Both men and women get freckles at an equal rate. They have several causes some of which can be listed including genetics, diseases (such as xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare disease that causes an increased sensitivity to ultraviolet light, such as the sun), and exposure to the sun.

Since most of the time

Since freckles are almost always harmless, there really is no need to treat them. As with many skin conditions, it’s always best to avoid the sun as much as possible, or use a sunscreen. This is especially important because people who freckle easily (such as lighter-skinned people) are more likely to develop skin cancer. Many people who are uncomfortable with freckles usually cover them very well with make up and that takes care of the problem.

Seborrheic keratoses

Seborrheic keratoses are brown or black growths usually found on the chest and back, as well as on the head. They originate from cells called keratinocytes. As they develop, Seborrheic keratoses take on a warty appearance. The cause of Seborrheic keratoses is unknown. They are seen more often as people get older. They do not lead to skin cancer. Seborrheic keratoses are benign and are not contagious. Therefore, they don’t need to be treated. If you decide to have Seborrheic keratoses removed because you don’t like the way they look, or because they are chronically irritated by clothing, methods for removing them include cutting them off, Cryotherapy, and electro-surgery.