What are malignant moles? Everything you need to know about moles and how to tell them apart!
I have had several moles in the last few months! Although at first I didn't give it any importance, the other day I was talking with a friend who is a dermatologist and... I have to go to the doctor but now! Did you know that moles, although they are mostly benign, can be a symptom of skin cancer? I need to calm down now...
What are moles?
Moles ( scientifically known as nevus ) are non-cancerous lesions that appear on the skin in the form of growths produced by a group of melanocytes ; that is, the cells in charge of the production of melanin in the epidermis . These are pink or brown in color , may be raised or flat , and round or oval .
Have you checked if you have any moles on your skin ? Surely yes, since these are very common and it is even estimated that a person has between 10 and 40 moles on their epidermis... In addition, almost all moles appear on the skin in our childhood or adolescence due to genetic predisposition , although they may also be created in adulthood due to sun exposure .
How to prevent the appearance of moles?
Preventing the appearance of moles is very complicated, although we can take measures to reduce the risk of developing more. To do this, it is important to control sun exposure , wear protective clothing against UV rays , avoid artificial tanning and apply sunscreen every day .
How to treat moles?
In truth, most moles do not require any type of treatment , since almost all of them are usually benign . However, it is essential to keep in mind that their evolution must be monitored , since suspicious moles may be symptoms of some type of skin disease , such as skin cancer , for example.
What is a malignant mole?
Malignant moles , also known as melanomas , are one of the most characteristic symptoms of skin cancer . These are created when there is abnormal growth of melanocytes .
Although it is not very common for moles to become malignant , it is something that can happen, since one in ten people have an atypical mole that is different from normal moles ( dysplastic nevus ). These are more likely to develop into melanomas later .
How to detect a malignant mole?
While benign moles remain stable in terms of shape, size or color , melanomas usually present transformations or changes in their appearance that may be warning us of their severity . That is why good monitoring of its evolution by a dermatologist is essential.
So you already know! Do not worry if your skin has moles , but keep in mind that you must control if it undergoes any transformation . Also, if you have a tattoo near or on top of a mole , it is much more important that you go to the dermatologist to check the area, since the ink from the tattooed skin may be covering the possible changes of said mole . Read on if you want to know more about it!
