A mole on a body or a face can be not only a highlight of a woman giving a special charm, but also be a source of uncomfortable sensations - physical and psychological. With such trouble, questions arise about what kind of danger the education data may contain, how to remove moles that interfere, and whether there are any contraindications to it.
What are birthmarks and where do they come from?
First of all, we will understand what a mole is, and as a result of what factors these formations appear. Moles (nevi), which are congenital and acquired, can be found on the skin and mucous membranes of any parts of the body. Their structure consists of epidermal or dermal cells and the accumulation of melanocytes - cells that produce the pigment melanin. Formations either are located at the level of the skin, or rise above it, they differ in shape and color.
There are several possible causes of formation of moles, the main ones are:
- genetic factor - information about the appearance of pigment formation on a particular part of the body can be embedded in DNA, which means that close relatives often have the same birthmarks;
- intensive exposure to ultraviolet light, under the influence of which a large amount of melanin is produced;
- hormonal changes, leading to a breakdown in the synthesis of melanin (due to endocrine diseases, pregnancy, puberty, hormone-containing drugs, and so on);
- exposure to radiation, X-rays;
- trauma and skin infection.
Nevus - Species
We list and characterize some species of moles:
- Lentigo - a flat pigment spot, reminiscent of a freckle, but having a more intense and even color;
- Flat nevuses are non-convex small formations formed between the epidermis and the dermis, which can have a different color - from corporal to black.
- Complex nevus is an education that rises above the skin or mucosal surface, which affects the tissues of the dermis and epidermis and has a very dark color.
- The dysplastic nevus is a flat or slightly convex spot of irregular shape with indistinct edges and uneven coloration, the size of which exceeds one centimeter.
- Blue nevus is a round speck of blue or bluish color, having a dense structure, often appearing on the limbs, face, buttocks.
- Hanging moles (acrochordons) are bodily or light-brown outgrowths, the common sites of which are the armpits, groin, neck, eyelids.
- Giant nevuses are congenital formations that have a dark color and uneven surface, which appear due to intrauterine malformation of melanoblast differentiation.
- Nevtsy Sutton - spots in the form of towering nodules, bounded by a rim of unpigmented skin.
Are birthmarks dangerous?
In the question of whether to remove moles, the key importance is given to the health threat that these entities may conceal in themselves. It is unequivocal to say whether this or that education is dangerous on the human body, in most cases it is impossible, because quite unexpectedly birthmarks are able to grow and transform. Often, small nevi, for which signs of inflammation or malignancy are not characteristic (overgrowth of healthy cells into cancer cells), do not affect the vital activity and well-being of a person.
Benigns are considered to be formations up to 6 mm in size, of uniform color, of a symmetrical shape with even edges. But no one is immune from the sudden proliferation of cells from an initially harmless mole, so they must be followed up systematically. Let's enumerate what a nevus is dangerous:
- growth to large sizes;
- the possibility of transition to an atypical precancerous form;
- turning into cancer education;
- at malignization even at not expressed external displays by a metastasis on all organism.
The provoking factors of the modification of a birthmark into a dangerous form are:
- excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, sunburn ;
- traumatic damage to education (especially often recurring);
- attempts at self-disposal (mechanical, chemical methods);
- removal of hair from the mole by means of tweezers.
In the high-risk zone are the following categories of people:
- having a large number of moles;
- Having nevuses larger than 5 mm;
- light-skinned, fair-haired and light-eyed;
- whose close relatives diagnosed malignant moles.
Are flat birthmarks dangerous?
If the pigmentary nevus is not raised above the skin and small in size, the probability of its degeneration is minimal, provided that no changes occur to it. Due to the peculiarities of this form of birthmark, the possibility of its damage, accidental trauma is low, which also testifies to its relative harmlessness. To maximally eliminate all risks, it is recommended not to abuse tan and regularly inspect the available birthmarks.
Are red birth marks on the body dangerous?
An unusual birthmark of red color is not a pigment nevus, but a vascular tumor formation of a benign nature called angioma. This birthmark is formed because of the proliferation of blood capillaries, it can have a different size - from a barely discernible flat dot to a vast elevating spot. Angiomas very rarely transform into malignant formations, but their danger lies in the possibility of bleeding during mechanical trauma.
Are dying birthmarks dangerous?
If an ordinary mole that does not protrude above the skin surface often does not cause any aesthetic problems, then the dangling formations often cause women inconvenience due to appearance. In addition, such growths tend to increase in size and quantity, which can be provoked by permanent rubbing (clothing, ornaments), accidental damage. Dangerous are considered hanging moles, located on the neck, in the armpits, on the genitals, in view of the fact that in the listed areas they are easier to injure.
Are bulging birthmarks dangerous?
When the initially flat birthmark suddenly began to change and became convex, this should alert. Not in all cases, such a transformation means malignant formation, often a small growth and elevation above the skin surface is a natural process. At the same time, mutations of cells are lightning fast, and the mole can quickly turn into melanoma - a cancer tumor. In appearance, the usual mole and melanoma can not always be reliably determined, and for the detection of pathology special studies are required.
Do I need to remove moles?
Questions about whether it is necessary to remove birthmarks and whether moles can be removed should be addressed individually, depending on the type of education, its location, the available adverse manifestations. Most experts agree that nevi, causing some discomfort and dangerous in terms of degeneration into malignant tumors, should be removed. Existing methods of removing moles very rarely cause complications, but if the nevus does not affect the quality of life, it is not necessary to touch it.
What birthmarks can not be removed?
Many women doubt whether it is worth removing moles on the face, if they just do not look very attractive. As a rule, the removal of formations that are not at the risk of injury and do not cause physical discomfort is considered unreasonable, although safe. In this case, it should be borne in mind that, after removal, some unfavorable consequences are possible, among which are recurrence and scar formation.
When should a birthmark be removed?
No reflection on whether it is possible to remove birthmarks on the body and whether it is necessary to remove the nevus should not be in cases where there are disturbing signs indicating a possible evolution of education into a malignant one. Such manifestations include:
- sudden appearance of an unusual birthmark in adulthood;
- itching, soreness in the mole;
- a sudden change in the form, size, color of education;
- the appearance of inclusions, nodules, veins, external rim;
- peeling, the appearance of cracks on the nevus;
- hair loss from the surface of the mole;
- bleeding, the presence of secretions.
How to remove moles?
When you contact a doctor with the question of whether to remove anxious birthmarks, the patient is assigned a survey to establish the nature of education and determine the method of removal. The following methods are used:
- excision with surgical knife;
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- radio wave method;
- laser action .
It is worth noting that not all of these methods are applicable when suspicion of a cancerous transformation of education. Therefore, the question of whether it is dangerous to remove birthmarks with a laser, you can hear an affirmative answer, because, despite this bloodless technique, it does not leave the opportunity to check the removed tissue for oncology. Only surgical removal allows you to audit the formation and excise all suspicious tissues.