A mole, or birthmark (dark mole, honey - nevus) is a congenital or acquired pigmented formation on the skin, which has various colors - brown, black, red, purple and others. Moles can be located at the level of the skin or rise above it. At a certain point, skin cells become overloaded with pigment and turn into melanocytes, a cluster of which is called a mole.
Reasons for the appearance of moles
Moles are formed on the skin from pigment cells that are located between the dermis (the inner layer of the skin) and the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). There may be several reasons for the appearance of nevi:
- Heredity. One of the reasons for the appearance of moles in a certain place on the body may be embedded in human DNA.
- Sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays is fraught with excessive production of melanin, which forms moles.
- Hormonal changes. As a result of hormonal disruptions or surges (stress, illness, childbirth, etc.), new moles can appear and old ones can disappear.
- Radiation, X-rays, viruses and injuries. All this can cause the movement of pigmented cells to the epidermis.
Types of moles
Moles can be divided into two main types:
- Vascular moles. Such nevi arise due to too rapid growth of blood capillaries. They manifest themselves as a change in the structure of the blood vessels of the skin.
- Pigmented moles. They arise from pigment cells due to an excess of melanin.
In addition, moles can be divided into congenital and acquired.
The danger of moles
Most birthmarks are harmless and do not require treatment. They can be covered with a bandage or gauze dressing from the sun to reduce sensitivity. Under the influence of external factors (ultraviolet radiation, mechanical damage, trauma or frequent rubbing), a pigmented birthmark can degenerate into melanoma - one of the most dangerous malignant tumors in humans. If the mole is located in a place where it can be frequently injured (for example, moles on the soles of the feet, palms, on the neck under the collar or on the waist), it is advisable to remove it.
Methods for removing moles
- radiosurgical and surgical methods;
- using a laser;
- using an electric current;
- cryotherapy.
Currently, there is a gentle method for removing a nevus. The radio wave method is not rough, with the least heating of the skin, which makes it the most suitable, - it allows you to remove moles within healthy tissue. After removing the nevus, an inconspicuous trace will remain, regardless of the removal method. With the radio wave method, this trace is the most invisible.
In some cases, when the nevus is large, surgical removal with the imposition of a cosmetic suture is preferable. It is always advisable to subject the removed nevus to histological examination.
