Almost every inhabitant of the Earth who has a non-black skin color has at least one mole, in medicine called only a melanocytic nevus. The word “nevus”, somewhat unusual for the Russian language, is borrowed from Latin and means the same mole or birthmark. In the process of life, for unknown reasons, new moles appear where there was previously clean skin, and the old ones disappear somewhere. This frightens some people, it causes inconvenience to others, especially when dark spots begin to “decorate” the forehead, nose, and cheeks. Let's try to figure out what moles are, or, scientifically, nevi, what they are, where they come from and whether it is possible to somehow influence their appearance.
What is a nevus
In the skin of humans and animals there are special cells - melanocytes that produce a dark pigment - melanin. In animals, it affects the suit, determines the color of the eyes. In humans, it is melanin that is responsible for the intensity of tanning, that is, it protects against ultraviolet and other rays harmful to the body. When the pigment is evenly distributed over the skin cells, it has a uniform color, tone. If suddenly - by unknown yetscience for reasons - an excess amount accumulates in individual cells, such areas begin to stand out against the general background, that is, a birthmark appears, or a pigmented nevus. Melanocytic nevus is the same. More synonyms for the same concept are melanoform or non-cellular nevus. The color of these formations varies from black to light brown, sometimes purple. If the birthmark is red (wine) in color, it is called a flaming nevus and is formed due to a large accumulation of not pigment, but capillaries that are too close to the surface of the skin. For example: Gorbachev, the last president of the Soviet Union, has a flaming nevus on his head and part of his forehead.
Some people may have a melanocytic nevus on the same level with the skin, while others protrude somewhat above its surface. The photo above shows a slightly protruding pigmented nevus. Babies rarely see these marks, although scientists tend to think they are simply too small to be noticeable. They begin to appear more clearly somewhere from the age of 9-10. In most cases, simple pigmented nevi behave peacefully and do not cause any problems, except for cosmetic defects.
Types of birthmarks
Melanocytic nevus of the skin is of two types:
1. Congenital
In size, these pigmented formations are small (up to 1.5 cm in diameter), medium (up to 10 cm) and large, or giant (more than 10 cm). Congenital nevi of any size also increase in size as the child grows.diameter. The greatest danger is represented by medium nevi, large and giant, since it is they who most often degenerate into malignant melanomas. For what reasons babies are born with large and giant birthmarks, experts find it difficult to say for sure. According to statistics, about 5% of babies born with a giant nevus develop skin cancer in the first year of life or a little older. Therefore, parents whose babies were born with large birthmarks should definitely consult with a specialist. If the giant nevus is located on the face, the doctor may recommend laser bleaching, and if on other parts of the body, removal. The latter procedure is also recommended if the large birthmark is dark in color and has a bumpy surface.
2. Purchased
During life, age spots can appear on any part of the body, including the scalp, genitals, palms, soles of the feet. British scientists have found that a large number of moles reduces the risk of osteoporosis by about 2 times and significantly reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and the degeneration of nevi into malignant melanoma is observed in approximately 16% of people with pigmented marks.
Causes of moles
Scientists in each case cannot say why a person develops a melanocytic nevus. But there are a number of common causes that lead to pigmentation.
So, congenital birthmarks can appear if the following happens during pregnancy:
1. Intrauterine infections(herpes, toxoplasmosis, smallpox and others).
2. Pregnant woman taking certain medications.
3. Increased intake of vitamin A.
4. Drinking alcohol.
5. Diabetes mellitus in a pregnant woman.
6. Micronutrient deficiency.
7. Heredity. Very often it is already in the DNA that a melanocytic nevus will appear in a child on the body in a certain place. Moreover, often hereditary birthmarks are identical in the baby and his mother or very close to that.
Acquired nevus may appear for the following reasons:
1. Large doses of ultraviolet. Irregular tanning and excessive tanning provoke an increased production of melanin pigment, which leads to the formation of moles.
2. Changes at the hormonal level. This includes any condition (illness, pregnancy, puberty, menopause, stress, and so on) in which hormonal disruptions are observed. They, in turn, cause additional skin pigmentation, although in some cases, on the contrary, they can lead to the disappearance of already existing birthmarks.
3. Radiation.
4. X-ray.
5. Skin injury. They can cause melanocytes to move closer to the surface of the skin, making the spots more visible.
Classification of moles
Medical names for nevi sometimes cause some confusion. However, in fact, everything here is quite simple and logical. Human skin consists of layers: epidermis (closest to the surface), dermis (middle, mostthick) and hypodermis (deepest). Depending on the location of the accumulation of melanocytes, the following types of age spots are distinguished:
- epidermal nevus (located in the upper layers of the skin - the epidermis);
- intradermal (accordingly, the accumulation of melanocytes is observed in a deeper layer - the dermis);
- borderline melanocytic nevus (this is an increased amount of melanin between the epidermis and dermis);
- hypodermal (location of the pigment in the hypodermis) - this type of nevus practically does not appear outwardly, but under some circumstances melanocytes can move closer to the surface of the skin.
The following types of nevi are distinguished by the structure and nature of the manifestation:
- complex;
- atypical;
- returnable;
- papillomatous melanocytic nevus;
- blue;
- Mongolian spot;
- hairy (one or more hairs grow from a mole, often dark in color, regardless of whether a person is blond or brunette).
- nevi of Setton, Clark, Spitz, Let's take a closer look at some types.
What is papillomatous intradermal melanocytic pigment nevus
This long and somewhat difficult definition contains several concepts at once. So, it was already noted above that the terms "melanocytic" and "pigmentary" mean the accumulation of melanin pigment in melanocytes that produce it. Intradermal nevus essentially means the location of clustersmelanocytes in the deeper layers of the skin and outwardly represents a tubercle protruding above its surface. Its synonym in medicine is the expression "intradermal melanocytic nevus". If it has a flesh color, and even located on the leg, there is a great resemblance to papilloma. Hence the name - papillomatous nevus. Such formations appear mainly on the head (hairy part), neck, face, but can also be observed on any other part of the body. Their color, in addition to flesh, is brown, brown, black, and the small-hilly structure vaguely resembles cauliflower. In medicine, you can also find other names for it, for example, warty nevus, linear, hyperkeratotic. There are 2 of their forms - organic, when papillomatous moles are observed singly, and disseminated, when there are many such warty tubercles. Often they are located where the large blood and nerve vessels pass. If a person has such a pattern, this may indicate diseases of the central nervous system, in particular epilepsy. Although the papillomatous intradermal melanocytic nevus of the skin, appearing at birth, constantly grows little by little, it is classified as a benign melano-monohazardous type of pigmented formations. Despite this, it certainly needs to be shown to a dermatologist to find out if it is a nevus, papilloma or melanoma. It is especially important to see a doctor if a papillomatous mole suddenly starts to hurt, itch, or change color. When establishing a diagnosis, the doctor conducts a visual examination, and, if necessary, does a siascopy, ultrasound, biopsy.
Complex melanocytic nevus
This definition is used when a mole, originating in the epidermis, grows into the dermis. Outwardly, it looks a little like a wart, with a diameter not exceeding 1 cm. Like other types of nevi, the complex one is considered benign, however, according to medical statistics, in more than 50% of cases it can degenerate into melanoma. Therefore, it is classified as melanoma-hazardous formations. In terms of its structure, a complex nevus can be smooth, bumpy, hairy, warty, and more often dark in color - from brown to black.
Atypical nevus
It is believed that approximately one in ten people has an atypical or dysplastic melanocytic nevus on the skin. The photo above shows what it might look like. These birthmarks received this name due to their fuzzy, as if blurred boundaries, asymmetry, size (as a rule, they exceed 6 mm), and dissimilarity to other moles. The color of atypical nevi can be very different - from light beige or pink to dark brown. In medicine, there is a synonym for this pigmented formation - Clark's nevus. If you find such a strange birthmark in yourself, you should definitely consult a doctor to make sure that there is no melanoma. Doctors believe that atypical nevi in themselves do not pose a he alth hazard, but people who have them are at risk for skin cancer, and not necessarily at the site of a pigmented spot. During life, atypical nevi, asand any others may disappear on their own, but this is not a reason to exclude a person from the risk group.
Recurrent nevus
This is the name of the age spots that appear at the place where the mole was removed. A recurrent nevus usually means that the mole tissue has not been completely removed and a second operation is required.
Nevus Spitz
This is another pigmented formation, due to the presence of which people are at risk for melanoma. Such birthmarks appear on the skin more often in children under 10 years of age, but adults are also not immune from them. A distinctive feature of the Spitz nevus is its rapid growth. So, suddenly appearing on the skin, in just a few months it can increase in diameter from a couple of millimeters to a centimeter or more. Another unpleasant feature of it is that it can metastasize to neighboring skin areas and lymph nodes. But, despite this, in most cases, Spitz's nevi are considered benign and easily amenable to timely treatment.
Setton's nevus
Sometimes birthmarks appear on the body with a white border around the edge. They have two names - Setton's melanocytic nevus and halo nevus. In some people, such formations are single, in others they can be many, and mostly on the back. The white border, according to scientists, is caused by the fact that the cells in it are destroyed by the cells of the immune system. Over the years, Setton's nevi may fade completely or disappear completely, leavingbright spot for memory. In the vast majority of cases, such bordered moles are not dangerous. But scientists have found that their presence, especially in large numbers, may be associated with the presence of diseases such as vitiligo and thyroiditis, or melanoma, which has not yet manifested itself in their owner.
Nevus Becker
This birthmark resembles a giant melanocytic nevus in its size. In about a quarter of cases, such pigmentation occurs in the fetus while still in the womb. A distinctive feature of Becker's nevi are:
- growth of hairs on them;
- pimples rash on them;
- an increase in size up to a certain point, then the cessation of growth and some lightening of the color.
Most often, such birthmarks remain with a person for life. They do not pose a danger, but their owners should still be shown to a dermatologist from time to time.
How dangerous are birthmarks
Some people believe that moles can develop into melanoma or other skin cancers over time. However, this is wrong. In the vast majority of cases, any birthmark (or melanocytic nevus) does not threaten anything. You need to worry and immediately rush to the doctor (dermatologist, oncologist) if suddenly the following changes begin to occur with the mole:
- its color has changed, no matter in which direction;
- it has become asymmetric (for example, convex on one side);
- the color or structure of the rim of the birthmark has changed;
-the mole began to hurt, itch, bleed;
- the size of the birthmark has sharply increased.
In all cases, if a newly emerged mole is different from the existing ones, or the old one suddenly becomes somehow unusual, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
What to do with moles?
If the nevi do not annoy in any way, and also if they are located on safe areas of the skin, you just need to watch them. If they are located where they can often be injured (on the palms, on the feet, on the neck, on the head, on the waist) or on the face, which causes cosmetic defects, it is recommended to remove them. It is necessary to entrust such operations only to doctors - a surgeon, a dermatologist. Epidermal nevi are recommended to be removed only by surgery. It is performed under local anesthesia, so it is painless. Papillomatous melanocytic nevus of the skin, especially located on the leg, is sometimes more expedient to remove with liquid nitrogen. In recent years, laser treatment of moles and their excision with a radioknife have also been successfully used.
After surgery, the doctor usually sends the removed fragments for histological examination to be completely sure that there is no cancer.
It is absolutely unacceptable to remove nevi on your own, by folk methods. Especially often people try to get rid of papillomatous nevi on the legs by tying them with a thread. This leads to blocking the access of blood to the mole, and it can really fall off. But in most casessuch a method of "treatment" provokes the development of changes in the cells of the epidermis or dermis and leads to disastrous consequences.
