What is a mole?
Moles are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small, dark brown spots and are caused by clusters of pigmented cells. Moles generally appear during childhood and adolescence.
Some moles may change in appearance or fade away over time.
Most moles are harmless. Rarely, they become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in detecting skin cancer!
The medical term for moles is nevi.
Mole appears on any area of the body, for example, on the scalp, groin, under the nails, between the fingers and more.
Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma
As already mentioned, most moles are harmless, although in some cases it is more than just a brown spot on the skin. Mole may be associated with melanoma or other types of skin cancer.
It is noteworthy:
- Asymmetrical shape. One half is unlike the other half.
- Border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders.
- Color. Look for growths that have changed color, have many colors or have uneven color.
- Diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger than about 6 millimeters.
- Evolving. Watch for moles that change in size, shape, color or height, especially if part or all of a mole turns black.
Consult your doctor in case of any changes.
Treatment
Most moles do not need treatment.
If the tumor is cancerous, the doctor will prescribe a surgical procedure.
You may have a spot on the area that is often irritated (or there is a risk of irritation) due to shaving and decide to remove it. In such cases, the procedure to get rid of the rash is performed on an outpatient basis.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/moles/symptoms-causes/syc-20375200
