Moles and birthmarks are formations of different nature and localization that often appear on the body of every person. If a lump under a mole is palpable, the structure, color, outline and shape of the formation changes, you need to consult an oncologist or dermatologist. A dark spot on the body can cause the development of melanoma - skin cancer.
Reasons why they appear
Has a mole turned white? what is the reason? These are the consequences of reduced activity of skin cells, which are responsible for the production of a special pigment under an interesting name - melanin. White moles can come in different shapes and sizes.
In babies, white spots are most often congenital. This is due to a disruption in the movement of melanoblasts even when the baby is in the womb.
A dry mole that appears in adults signals a skin disease such as vitiligo.
The reasons for this are:
- Spend a long time on sunny beaches, by the river.
- Neuroendocrine diseases.
- Autonomic disorders.
- Frequent stress and psychological conditions.
- Autoimmune diseases.
Stressful situations, chemical influences, a number of mechanical injuries, as well as an insufficient amount of vitamin complex are of great importance in the development of such a disease.
If the birthmark was dark, and then changed color and became white, this signals a violation of the pigment that is formed in melanocytes, that is, its possible degeneration into oncology.
If a mole has lightened, has begun to grow at an intense rate, has changed its original shape, and a person experiences pain and burning sensations, it is imperative to consult a dermatologist.
White spots in children are usually congenital
How do you know if your mole may turn into cancer?
When you reach the age of 30, you are likely to have 10-40 moles on your skin. These black or brown spots begin to look different over time, raising and changing texture and color. Hair may begin to grow on them.
Some moles do not change in any way throughout life, while others simply disappear. These formations are widespread and usually completely harmless, but despite this, they require strict control.
MedicForum has collected tips that will help you find out whether you should worry if your mole has changed or not.
What danger is hidden under the guise of a mole?
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. This is a cancer that occurs when DNA damage causes skin cells to mutate—often due to ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight or artificial tanning. The symptoms of early melanoma are easy to miss.
Some types of melanoma develop from moles that have existed for years, so it is very important to carefully examine your body on a regular basis - at least every 3 months. This should happen much more often if you have a close relative with a similar condition or if new spots have appeared on the skin. They usually develop during childhood or adolescence.
If you notice fresh spots as an adult, you should show them to your doctor.
You should also be wary if you notice a dark area under a fingernail or toenail that is not associated with an injury, especially if it gets larger over time. This could also be a sign of skin cancer. An open wound that does not heal for a long time is considered another symptom.
When should you start worrying about moles?
The vast majority of moles are nothing serious, but there is always a chance that one of them will develop into some form of skin cancer. If the color, shape and size have remained the same for many years, there is no need to worry, but any changes in appearance may indicate the beginning stages of melanoma. Most likely this won't happen.
Just make sure you keep your skin under control so you can spot any of the following signs instantly. Signs that a mole may be cancer: • sudden appearance or growth of a familiar mole.
Most of them grow slowly, your eyes get used to them, but when a stranger appears or a long-familiar one begins to change size, it should be checked;
• any change in the shape and condition of a mole. Don't neglect spots that have changed color, especially if they take on a darker shade than the original. Those that begin to itch, bleed or become crusty should also be presented to the doctor - this may be the beginning of melanoma; • symmetry is also important.
Instead of being perfectly round or oval, "bad" moles tend to have jagged edges. You should be concerned about any spots that don't look symmetrical - normally both sides are the same; • rough, scaly or colored surface.
If you notice anything like this, bring it to the attention of your doctor right away. Do any of these signs indicate the development of skin cancer? Even if some sign is found, it does not mean that you have melanoma, but it would be wise to have a professional test done to reassure yourself.
Most moles remain with us for the rest of our lives, without posing any threat, but atypical formations tend to become deadly. If you find a large speck with a diameter of about 5-12 millimeters, especially multi-colored, it will be considered atypical.
Melanomas are most common on the back, legs, arms, head and face, but a prudent person will examine the entire body to detect any growths early. Dangerous moles are visually and to the touch different from others, and the unusual appearance should alert you.
Their surface is usually rough rather than smooth, and the shape of the edge differs on different sides. These types of moles are most common in people who spend a lot of time in the sun, but are not limited to them. If you happen to exhibit any of these signs, prompt treatment is of utmost importance.
Don’t panic - even in the case of cancer, the situation is fixable, because treatment of the initial stage of any disease is always effective and, as a rule, painless. A tiny tumor can easily be removed under local anesthesia, but the longer you wait to see a doctor, the more difficult it will be for him to fix something.
How do you know if your mole is dangerous?
If you're trying to find out everything about your moles, the amount of information on the Internet, magazines and TV can be confusing. Determining whether any of them is potentially malignant can be very simple - just know the so-called “ABCDE rule”, invented by American oncologists.
They suggest using the first four letters of the alphabet to remind you of the signs of a dangerous mole: • "A" means it will be asymmetrical - both sides are different from each other; • “B” - border - relates to the boundaries of education.
The border will be raised, blurred, or curved instead of smooth and even; • "C" stands for "color". Note any discrepancies in shades; Normal moles are usually light and dark brown, almost black. White, pink, jet black and blue are atypical colors; • “D” is the diameter of the spot.
Imagine an eraser at the end of a pencil—if your mole's circle is larger, keep an eye on it. Many (but not all!) large formations can turn into cancer; • “E”—enlargement. Melanoma typically grows in size over time. The list goes on.
You should be alert to itching, pain, bleeding, inflammation, changes in relief (thickening or raising of a previously flat formation) - in general, anything unusual on your skin.
How to remove a mole?
In some cases, mole removal is necessary. If you notice any of the above signs, go to an appointment with your doctor. Potentially dangerous moles can be easily removed under local anesthesia, but if left for too long they can be very difficult to treat.
The surgery is a simple process consisting of local anesthesia and cutting out the area that is bothering you. If it was large, you'll probably need a stitch or two to close the wound. Your doctor will send a tissue sample from the mole to a laboratory to determine whether it is cancerous.
Previously, scientists told us when to worry about hair loss.
Source: //news.rambler.ru/diy/40098965-kak-uznat-chto-vasha-rodinka-mozhet-prevratitsya-v-rak/
Symptoms
Birthmarks are white in color, significantly different from ordinary ones, and have the following characteristics:
- softer surface
- the color of the mole is lighter in contrast to the surrounding skin,
- the boundaries are clear and even,
- the edges of the formation itself are not inflamed.
A convex white mole, in appearance, resembles an ordinary flat wart. Such formations can be single or multiple.
The size of such birthmarks can range from 3 mm to 20 mm. Inside the formation there is a capillary network, or small brown dots. White moles are most often localized on the neck, under the arms, chest and on the external genitalia. Less common, but they occur on the stomach and limbs.
In children, such formations appear either from birth or from the age of three months. Usually they have a benign prognosis and are not at all dangerous for the baby. Congenital moles can increase in size as the body grows. If there are no other signs, then this is normal and does not require treatment.
White birthmarks are usually not dangerous
Possible reasons for a mole changing color to light
The number of nevi depends on the production of melanin in the cells of the body.
The gradual lightening of a pigmented area does not always pose a threat to human health, foreshadowing a possible disease. The process often begins in adulthood. The spot turns pale and disappears completely, leaving no traces. If a white border begins to appear around the growth, this is evidence of a malfunction of the pigment cells. A clear symptom of the onset of the disease is vitiligo, which is not a direct threat to the human condition.
In some cases, lightening indicates degeneration into a malignant tumor.
A change in the color of the nevus, its malignancy can develop as a result of hormonal imbalance, causing long-term weakening of the body. Constant aggressive exposure to the sun cannot be ruled out.
You cannot make a diagnosis on your own or look for the cause of the situation. A timely visit to a doctor will help determine the nature of the formation. A dermatologist or oncologist will prescribe an examination and the necessary tests.
Complications and possible consequences
One of the serious consequences is the transition of an ordinary mole to a malignant formation. This happens rarely, but it should not be forgotten. This applies primarily to persons at risk:
- People with large congenital birthmarks.
- Formations that occur in people after 60 years of age.
- The size of formations exceeds 30 mm in diameter.
- People who have several dozen such formations on their bodies.
Moles that are constantly injured when touched by clothing, a white spot that forms a crust and bleeds, or new formations appear on the skin, all this can develop into oncology.
Differences between a compacted mole and atheroma, cyst
An atheroma or cyst is a ball-shaped neoplasm that is localized under the skin. The lump consists of sebum, the structure is dense and tough. The skin over a lipoma or lump under a nevus can be easily folded, but this cannot be done over a cyst. The dermis changes color above the atheroma. The size of the cyst varies from 5 mm to 5 cm. It does not cause pain if you do not scratch or touch it. The seals do not reach large sizes.
When infected, the atheroma breaks through and the contents penetrate into the dermis, leading to an abscess. Doctors have found 2 reasons leading to the formation of atheromas:
- lack of hygiene;
- metabolic disorders.
Doctors advise removing cysts to reduce the risk of developing atheromatosis.
Diagnosis
Before making a diagnosis, the doctor collects an anamnesis from the patient, that is, asks when the mole appeared and how it has changed recently.
When examining a person’s skin, the first thing a specialist pays attention to is the appearance of the mole, its shape, diameter and location. In order to make a final diagnosis, additional diagnostic methods are used:
- Blood for tumor markers.
- Special swabs that are taken from the surface of the wart. Thanks to which it is possible to determine not only the nature of the formation, but also the degree of danger.
- Instrumental diagnostics (fluorescent microscopy).
- CT (computed tomography).
In addition to all of the above diagnostic methods, mole removal is also important. After surgery, the formation is sent for histological examination, after which it will be known whether it is 100% benign or malignant.
Diagnosis begins with a visual examination
Is it possible to remove nevi?
If you do not have melanoma, you can remove a mole that has turned white. There are many different ways to remove such formations. All of them are safe, many are painless. Therefore, if a nevus bothers you, it can be removed to avoid infection.
If a nevus bothers you, it can be removed to avoid infection
It is urgent to remove those moles that dramatically change shape, grow, or bleed. Be sure to remove the nevus quickly and do not delay treatment. This can provoke the appearance of new nevi, as well as cancer. You also need to remove formations that greatly disfigure you.
Therapeutic treatments
It is pointless to treat such moles, since it is almost impossible to slow down their growth. The only treatment will be to remove them through surgery or other equally effective and affordable methods.
Before removing the formation, an in-person consultation with a doctor is necessary, and then the necessary diagnostic methods are carried out.
They do all this in order to know exactly what kind of tumor they will have to fight. If a dermatologist suggests removing the formation, then the following methods are used:
- Surgical (excision of a mole using a scalpel). Small formations are removed completely, but larger ones are removed in parts.
- Cryodestructive method. This method effectively removes a mole by freezing it with liquid nitrogen or carbonic acid. This technique allows you to remove the formation almost painlessly and does not require anesthesia.
- Electrocoagulation. This method allows you to remove the seal using an electric knife or an electrocoagulator. The procedure causes slight discomfort to the patient, as it is painful and requires anesthesia. This method is used mainly to remove medium-sized formations.
- Removal using laser beams. This method is the most common among all. This radiation makes it possible to accurately delineate the boundaries of the tumor, practically without affecting the surrounding tissue. This method eliminates the formation of scars and burns on the surface of the skin. Use it to remove small birthmarks.
- Radiosurgery. It is carried out using the Surgitron apparatus, in other words, a radio knife. With its help, the tumor is removed with a beam of radioactive radiation. This method is carried out if a benign tumor is diagnosed. Radiosurgery is effective and also safe. Used to remove small white moles.
Removal with a scalpel is suitable for large and small growths
How to prevent malignant degeneration
To prevent the development of oncological processes in moles, you must adhere to simple rules:
- Removal of nevi and other skin growths should only occur under the supervision of a physician using safe methods. Self-treatment of such formations is extremely undesirable.
- It is necessary to prevent injury to moles. If the risk of damage is high, it is recommended to consult a doctor to remove the formation surgically.
- If hair grows on the surface of the mole, you should not pluck it with tweezers. It's best to simply cut off the excess with nail scissors.
- It is not recommended to apply cosmetics to the surface of nevi; this may lead to an unpredictable reaction from the body.
- The surface of the skin with moles should be protected from all negative external influences - the sun, chemicals, friction.
With the right approach to the problem, the risk of an unfavorable outcome is significantly reduced. Therefore, darkened nevi require special attention and, if necessary, treatment, which should only be carried out under the supervision of an experienced doctor..
Traditional medicine methods
Therapeutic measures carried out using traditional methods should be used with extreme caution, since there is a possibility that an ordinary birthmark will develop into oncology. The ideal option would be traditional treatment in special centers, with histological examination of the removed lesion.
The proposed folk recipes should be used only after consultation with a dermatologist.
- Use celandine juice, which is used to treat the surface of the mole and cover it with a sterile bandage or plaster. It is recommended to do this procedure at least 3 times during the day until it disappears completely.
- The formation is lubricated with garlic juice and then lemon juice. The procedure is carried out for 1-2 weeks 3 times a day.
- Lubricating the stain with fig juice once a day is also effective.
- Grated chalk and hemp oil. Prepare a mixture in a ratio of 1:4 and treat the birthmark several times a day for a week.
- Tincture with garlic and apple cider vinegar. To do this, use 200 grams of apple cider vinegar and 2-3 cloves of garlic. Leave for 2 weeks and use as compresses at night.
- Honey and castor oil. A mass of ingredients mixed in equal quantities is applied to the mole 3 times a day.
A good result can be obtained if you also cleanse the liver, because this procedure helps to improve the pigmentation process.
Traditional methods of removing moles should be used with extreme caution
