The Types of Moles You Should Pay Close Attention To
When assessing moles for cancerous properties, it is important to pay close attention to how they change over time. If patients start observing their spots early enough and have the know-how to differentiate between safe and unsafe moles, the professional dermatologists located in Cameron Park will be able to take quick action to eliminate disease.
The first thing to determine is what kind of mole is present on the skin. There are three main types.
1. Congenital Moles
Moles that are present at birth are called congenital moles. Only one percent of the population has them and they have a higher chance of becoming cancerous as people age than other moles do.
2. Acquired Moles
Moles that develop during childhood or as a young adult are called acquired moles. While they are formed due to excessive sun exposure, these moles are less likely to develop into cancer than congenital moles. They can appear as big as a quarter inch, but are usually smaller.
3. Atypical Moles
Moles that present themselves as larger than a quarter inch and are irregularly shaped are called atypical moles. They typically run in families, but can also be present at birth or grow over time. These moles will often have uneven coloring and may have dark dots around the edge of the mole’s center. These moles are also at a higher risk for developing into skin cancer.
Once a patient knows how to distinguish between the types of moles, the next step is to know when to see a dermatologist. Keep track of any new moles that grow in addition to observing old moles over time to see if they experience any changes. Some of the changes to keep an eye out for are listed below.
Color
Take it to the dermatologist if a mole has an uneven color. This can be any combination of brown, red, black, white, and even blue.
Size
If a mole has a larger diameter than a pencil eraser, show it to a doctor who will determine if more steps need to be taken. Also keep track of if the size of the mole changes.
Shape
Moles with irregular borders should be more closely looked at. This could appear as a border of small black dots, or simply an odd shape, or maybe the border is poorly defined. Also pay attention to if the mole is asymmetrical. These are all reasons to be cautious and explore options with a doctor.
Pain
If the mole becomes irritated, including itchiness and bleeding, then talk to a doctor.
Disclaimer: We are unable to guarantee any result, even though most of our patients do see success. The results of our services will vary greatly to each patient’s level of commitment and compliance with the program.