Small spots on the skin of each person usually do not cause much trouble. But what to do when moles grow, change their color and shape? Which doctor should I contact and what are the reasons for the growth and video changes in nevi?
Varieties of moles on the body
Babies are born without nevi, the child grows a mole after he reaches 3 years of age. As they grow older, some moles may increase in size, but only slightly.
On the human body, they can be of different shapes, colors and shapes. They can be divided into the following types:
- uniform and uniform spots that do not respond to UV exposure;
- birthmarks, which are also called epidermal-dermal moles;
- complex nevi (they are more convex and have a dark color);
- dysplastic (they are hereditary, often asymmetric, reach 1.2 cm in diameter);
- blue (unusual and very rare, quite dense, but smooth);
- intradermal moles that appear on the face (their diameter canvary from 2 to 20 mm, such facial nevi that bring discomfort to a person can be easily removed without consequences).
Also, pigmentation on the human body can be divided into small (up to 150 mm), medium (up to 10 cm), large (more than 10 cm) and giant, which covers a certain area on the human skin.
Can moles grow?
The vast majority of babies are born without birthmarks. Some may have them at birth, more often on the head, legs and arms, but not more than one dozen. In a child, moles grow when they reach 3 years of age. As the baby grows, their number can increase significantly on the body. This usually continues until the age of 35.
As a rule, people with a fair skin tone have more nevi on their bodies than dark-skinned people. They may increase slightly throughout life, but do not change their shade and shape.
If a mole appears and grows, this indicates some serious ailments that develop in the human body or the malfunction of a certain organ. Seeing a specialist in this case will not be superfluous.
Reasons for growth
It is worth knowing that moles that appeared on the human body in childhood or adolescence rarely develop into something more serious. But if a nevus appeared on the skin after 35 years, and the growth occurs in a short period of time, it is considered potentially dangerous.
Whygrowing moles on the body?
mechanical damage (if the nevi on the human body are in places that constantly rub (this can be under the armpits, in the shaving area or where a woman wears a bra), then they can often be injured, damaged, which can provoke their growth)
If a person touched a mole by accident, which caused a slight bleeding, then the wound must be treated with disinfectants. However, it is worth remembering that inflammation may develop, which will lead to tissue degeneration.
- Changes in hormonal levels (moles grow most often during the period of bearing a baby or menopause in women, as well as in adolescence);
- exposure to sunlight (in this case, pigmentation on the skin appears due to an increase in melanin, most often people with fair skin and red hair are affected, in which case it is important to use sunscreen in the sun);
- reduced immunity (not only warts can occur, but nevi can also grow);
- improper functioning of the thyroid gland and liver;
- hereditary predisposition;
- allergy and chronic inflammatory processes on the skin at the location of the mole;
- constant stress that reduces the protective functions of the body.
When not to worry?
It is not necessary to remove all moles on the body. In most cases, they are absolutely safe for humans. Do not worry when the nevus is even, not convex, has a uniform shade, the relief is identical to the skin and from ithair grows.
If a child's mole grows, what to do in this case, only a specialist will tell you. The baby should be shown to the doctor if the nevus has become convex and swollen, the contours, symmetry have changed, or he accidentally scratched the mole. In other cases, you just need to monitor the condition of the skin, both a child and an adult, and if they do not change for a long time, then you should not worry.
Can moles grow with age and is it dangerous?
Provoke the growth of nevi, which by their nature are benign neoplasms, can be a variety of factors, ranging from stress and exposure to ultraviolet radiation and ending with a genetic predisposition.
With age, spots may change somewhat, but if hair grows from a mole, this means that the formation is not malignant. Hanging nevi, regardless of location, should be removed, as they can be injured and then develop into something more serious. In any case, even a mole that appeared at an early age must be monitored throughout life. Any minor change is a reason to seek medical advice.
When should you see a doctor?
Specialists came up with the following abbreviation called AKORD (Asymmetry, Edge, Color, Size, Dynamics). If at least one indicator changes, then you should consult a doctor for advice and diagnosis.
Should alertthe following figures:
- modifying the outlines and edges of a birthmark;
- uneven color (from dark to light shade, and all this on one mole);
- bulge or swelling of the nevus area;
- tightening or cracking;
- if hair grows from a mole, but it began to fall out;
- burning sensation, pain or discomfort in the area of the nevus.
In case of any changes, see a doctor who will diagnose and monitor the dynamics. Diagnostic methods include not only visual examination, but also procedures such as dermatoscopy and biopsy (most often excisional), when a part of an inflamed mole is taken for subsequent examination.
Which specialist should I go to?
If you notice that a mole is growing, it means you need to consult a specialist. But who to turn to? First of all, it is worth going to a consultation with a dermatologist. He must conduct research and, if necessary, can send for further examination to an oncologist or surgeon. The surgeon does not treat, he removes the affected areas, but only after the examination.
If the growth of moles in a person is associated with a change in hormonal levels, then they are sent for treatment to an endocrinologist. If moles grow or change in a child, you need to visit a pediatrician who will already give a referral to a specialist.
Some go to a beautician, but in that case the moles should not be changed. After all, a cosmetologist does not treat, but simply can remove a speck without understandingits origin and nature, which may lead to other he alth problems. In the first place, it can cause a disease such as melanoma.
Diagnosis
Primary diagnosis of mole growth is carried out by a dermatologist. This can be either a pediatric or adult specialist who works in the field of skin diseases.
To make a diagnosis, the following manipulations can be performed:
- dermatoscopy (the nevus is covered with a special solution, and then the doctor examines the inflamed or affected area with a dermatoscope to detect changes in color, color and small cracks);
- histology (minor tissue of a mole is taken and sent for research that can determine if cancer cells are present);
- biopsy (material is also taken using special equipment and under anesthesia for examination);
- computer diagnostics (the procedure is similar to dermatoscopy, but in this case, the examination is carried out using a video camera that captures all changes in the skin of the mole and the place around it).
In most cases, the specialist is not limited to one diagnostic method, but performs several at once. This allows you to accurately determine the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Can growing moles be removed?
Many people have a question, when a mole grows, what to do and can it be removed? If this is a growing neoplasm, it is better to remove it, becauseany benign nevus can develop into a malignant one.
Removal is not carried out with SARS, elevated body temperature or mental disorders. During the bearing of the baby, moles are removed only in case of their rapid growth in order to avoid the development of melanoma.
If moles grow, they can be removed in the following ways:
- Cryodestruction, when the affected area is exposed to liquid nitrogen (this method is rarely used, since the depth of removal is not controlled, and if everything cannot be removed from the root, then the nevus will resume its growth).
- Electrocoagulation or removal with current (performed under local anesthesia, after which the material is sent for histology).
- Laser therapy (the fastest and most painless way to burn the affected area, but in this case, the tissue cannot be examined).
- Radio wave therapy (the longest procedure, one mole can be removed up to 20 minutes).
- Surgical intervention (this can be excision of both completely and part of the inflamed nevus, but scars remain after such an operation).
Regardless of the removal procedure, the recovery process should continue for two weeks. It is important to wash the place with antiseptic solutions, to refrain from exposure to ultraviolet light and water on the affected area.
