Moles are very common. They are generally nothing to worry about. Almost every adult has a few moles. They may have 10 to 40 moles on their skin and this is normal.
It is normal for new moles to appear during childhood and adolescence. Moles will grow as the child grows. Some moles will darken, and others will lighten. These changes are expected in children and seldom a sign of melanoma — a type of skin cancer that can begin in a mole.
Depending on its appearance and when it developed, a mole can be classified as one of the following types:
1. BENIGN MOLES
Small coloured spots on the skin that can be flat or raised, smooth or rough and may have hair growing from them. The vast majority we see are what we call “typical moles” so their borders are smooth and they’re symmetrical in shape and almost the same colour all over. These are common moles.
What can be done?
If the mole is raised it can be surgically shaved off in a procedure done under a local anaesthetic that takes about half an hour. If the mole is flat, there’s little that can be done except cutting it out, also a quick procedure under local anaesthetic.
2. SEBORRHEIC KERATOSES
These wart-like brown spots, common in middle age, tend to look like they’re stuck on the skin. They tend to commonly appear on people’s trunks, scalps and faces, though they can turn up anywhere. These type of mole are simply caused by the way the skin is maturing.
What can be done?
If they’re small, doctors use cryotherapy in which liquid nitrogen is applied to quickly freeze them off.
3. SKIN TAGS
Almost all of us will develop a skin tag at some point. These are flesh-coloured or brown growths that hang off the skin, usually in clusters around the neck or the armpits. Though harmless and not treatable, they don’t look nice and may catch on things and get sore.
What can be done?
Better result cosmetically often comes from snipping them off with small surgical scissors under a local anaesthetic.
4. LIPOMAS
Lipomas are round lumps that form under the skin caused by fatty deposits. The overlying skin looks normal, but beneath it is a lump sometimes the size of a cherry or larger. Sometimes, they can get infected and become painful and hot and may burst and smell.
What can be done?
If you have symptoms such as pain or discharge or it’s getting red, hot or smelly, see your GP who can arrange for treatment that may involve surgical removal.
It’s important to consult your doctor or a dermatologist about a suspicious skin mole since it may be an early sign of malignant melanoma, which is a life-threatening form of skin cancer.
Examine your skin regularly, looking for any new skin moles as well as changes in the moles you already have. If you have a family history of atypical moles or skin cancer, or a large number of moles or freckles, your primary doctor may suggest that you see a dermatologist for regular skin evaluations.
Reviewed by misfitgympal
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Mayo 12, 2022
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