Moles (nevi) are spots that appear on the skin and cause changes in pigmentation. Some spots are present from the very moment of our birth, but they can also form during life, when any changes occur in the body, in particular, during the period of bearing a child. What types of moles on the hands and other parts of the body can appear, how dangerous they are - this is our article.
Congenital and acquired nevi
Moles are divided into two large groups: congenital and acquired. The first group has a gradation in size:
- Small. The size reaches no more than one and a half centimeters.
- Average. These include moles that are less than 10 centimeters in diameter.
- Large ones. The diameter of the formation in this case exceeds 10 centimeters.
- Giant - can occupy large areas of the skin. Most often, they cover the entire anatomical region, as a rule, this is a large part of the chest, lower leg, face, and others.
Moles (especially large ones) always attract the eye. But sometimes a person can find almost colorless nevi. These skin-colored moles are a collection of pigment cells, and if you watch, you will notice that over time they will also darken.
Small moles bring little to no trouble. But giant nevi quite often (almost 50%) are reborn, causing cancer.
Acquired Moles
The reason for their appearance is the genetic characteristics of the human body. They are formed in childhood. After all, it is during this period that the most intense movement of pigment cells occurs, which “rise” from the deep layers to the surface of the skin.
Here we can distinguish the following types of nevi:
- Epidermal. Appear as a result of the accumulation of melanocytes in the upper epidermal layer of the skin.
- Intradermal. The cells responsible for the production of melanin, in this case, accumulate in the dermis.
- Borderline. Such moles are located on the border of the dermis and epidermis.
Types of moles
Let's get acquainted with the varieties of nevi. Doctors allocate:
Lentigo. Such a mole on the skin is a uniformly colored spot. The color in this case can vary from brown with a brownish tint to completely black
E pidermo-dermal moles. Visually, these are flat spots, but in some cases they may slightly protrude above the surface of the skin. The color is also unstable and can change, reaching an almost black tint. Size range: from a miniature dot to a centimeter in diameter. Localized mainly on the palms,soles of the feet, as well as in the genital area
Complicated moles. More often than not, nevi are dark in color and protrude noticeably above the skin
Intradermal nevi. Always protrude above the skin. The color can vary, ranging from flesh to black. The surface of intradermal nevi can be completely smooth or covered with hairs
Sutton's Moles. Such moles appear and disappear without any reason. The main difference is the presence of an unstained skin ring around them. Very rarely they degenerate into cancers
Dysplastic moles. Nevi are irregularly shaped with blurred borders. Be sure to rise slightly above the surface of the skin. Most often they have a red pigment color, but other colors are not excluded. Moles of this type can be inherited. They are distinguished from classic birthmarks by their size (they are always larger) and localization sites. Dysplastic nevi can most often be found in areas that are always covered by clothing (buttocks, chest). And if ordinary moles can form during puberty, then dysplastic ones appear after 35 years
Blue moles. Always elevated formations, which in some cases have a hemispherical shape. The color varies from light blue to blue, very rarely a brown tint can be observed. Such moles always have clear boundaries. The size of the nevus can reach 2 centimeters. Especially common on the skin of the face, limbs and buttocks
Large pigmented nevus. Is more oftenall congenital and increases as the child grows older. Nevi can capture fairly large areas on the surface of the skin. The main colors are grey, black and brown
Gradation of moles depending on the shape and location
Depending on these parameters, moles are divided into:
Vascular (hemangiomas). Such a mole on the skin can have different sizes and blurry outlines. If we talk about color, then everything depends on the vessel, which became its basis
Non-vascular. Moles can look like stalked or warty outgrowths of various shades. There are both individual specimens and group clusters in the form of plaques
Classification according to the risk of rebirth
Moles are further divided into:
- melanoma, which due to injury, cosmetic procedures or biopsy can cause skin cancer;
- melanoma dangerous.
Skin Cancer: Moles-Provocateurs
The following types of nevi should be attributed to them:
- blue;
- Ota mole;
- giant pigmented nevus;
- Dubreuil's melanosis.
Blue and giant nevus are already familiar to you. Let's take a look at the newcomers.
Nevus Ota is a large formation, localized exclusively on the skin of the face. Can be placed on any part, creating the effect of dirty skin. The color varies from brown to blue-gray.
Dubreuil's melanosis is a precancerous skin condition. Visually - a single pigment spot with irregular edges. At first light brown, it changes color to darker as it worsens, while increasing in size.
Differences between normal and regenerate nevus
It's almost impossible to do it on your own. But non-dangerous moles are miniature spots with clear boundaries. They practically do not protrude above the surface of the skin and always have a uniform structure. If we talk about color, then it can be completely black moles on the skin. There is nothing dangerous in this.
The following are dangerous symptoms, upon noticing which, you should immediately consult a specialist doctor.
Signs of the beginning of rebirth:
- asymmetry in size;
- the appearance of the effect of blurring the edges;
- changing the color of the nevus, in particular the formation of stripes of a different color on the surface of the mole;
- size increase;
- bleeding.
Skin cancer (moles are the most common cause) at an early stage can be treated well. Just be a little more careful.
Red moles (angiomas)
Red moles appeared on the skin. What caused this and how do they differ from the usual dark spots?
A red mole on the skin indicates an existing problem with blood vessels responsible for supplying blood to the skin itself. If we consider the speck in more detail, it turns out that it consists of highly intertwined blood vessels. A nevus can form almost anywhere.
Most often, red neoplasms are found on the skin of babies. This is due to the fact that the child's circulatory system "grows" with him, undergoing changes. In an adult, the cause of the formation of red nevi is excessive exposure to the sun. And it is far from uncommon that such a mole is located under the skin, since such nevi do not have a specific location either on the body or in the layers of human skin.
The cause of angiomas in adults is hormonal changes. It is believed that such neoplasms indicate an existing pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.
You should not worry about this type of neoplasms. Very often they disappear on their own. The only reason to worry is the rapid growth of the mole.
White nevi
White moles on the skin are the result of poor functioning of the cells responsible for the production of melanin. They may vary in size and shape. Found in a newborn baby, a white mole should not be a cause for concern. But here it appeared on the body of an adult, it indicates the possible development of a rather complex disease - vitiligo. The disease is not dangerous, but brings a feeling of dissatisfaction with one's appearance. The disease manifests itself in the form of spots that do not have the usual pigmentation, protruding on the surface of the skin.
Why does the skin around a mole change color?
Redden skin around a mole is a wake-up call, but beforepanic, it is worth understanding the cause of the appearance of inflammation. These could be:
- Skin injury. A mole was accidentally hooked, for example, with a washcloth while taking a shower. The result is inflammation.
- UV burn. You can get it during a visit to the solarium. The burn appears after a few days. In the case when the mole after that began to change shape and size, a doctor's consultation is necessary. If you have a lot of moles on your skin, then it is best to refuse visits to the solarium.
- Uncaused inflammation. It may be accompanied by pain, but sometimes this symptom is absent. Consultation with a dermatologist is required.
Changing the color of the skin around the mole indicates the beginning of rebirth.
Moles on hands
Types of moles on the hands found in people are no different from the previously considered types. It can also be vascular nevi (angiomas), moles growing on legs, age spots, etc.
Self Deletion
Removal of moles is an optional procedure if they are not dangerous. But a mole on the scalp must be removed without fail, especially if it is located directly under the hair. Otherwise, the comb will constantly injure her, and in the future this can lead to unpleasant consequences.
It is strictly forbidden to remove moles on your own, because you can get either blood poisoning or severe bleeding, which is quite difficult to stop.
How the deletion works
If you decide to get rid of the neoplasm, then choose medical centers with good recommendations and customer reviews. It is not worth going to the nearest beauty salon to solve the problem, since only in clinics the patient is prepared according to all the rules. And in case of an unforeseen situation, qualified assistance will be provided to him.
Techniques
Modern medicine offers many different ways to remove moles. The choice of method depends on the type of mole. The doctor will select the most suitable option for each situation.
Distinguish:
- thermal method;
- chemical exposure;
- surgical intervention.
The minus of the thermal method of removing neoplasms is the scars remaining on the surface of the skin. Therefore, if the nevus is located on an open part of the body, then the option with electrocoagulation will not work.
To avoid skin disfigurement, removing a mole with a laser will help. Freezing the mole with liquid nitrogen will be the most painless way to get rid of it.
Surgery is used only in difficult cases. This is a last resort as it has numerous contraindications and side effects.
Post-op care
After the procedure is completed, a crust forms on the surface of the skin. It is necessary to ensure that water, gels and creams do not fall on its surface. In the first five days, this is especially important, since it is during this period that a new layer of skin forms under the sore. And if you remove the crustearlier, a scar may remain.
