Reasons for the appearance of a halo around a mole
Pigmented areas on the skin are formed due to a local increase in the production of melanin, which is a protective segment against ultraviolet rays. It is nevi that are the first to react to a failure in the synthesis of this pigment.
There may be several reasons for the appearance of a white rim around a mole:
- Hereditary factor. Many moles with characteristic features are often passed on from parents to children. Genetic predisposition can be blamed for the fact that the appearance of a light spot, including a common nevus, becomes a distinctive family trait.
- The influence of ultraviolet radiation. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or tanning lamps can lead to decreased melanin production. A halo around a mole indicates a burn and serious damage to the skin.
- Changes in hormonal levels. At different periods of life, when a person experiences changes in hormone levels, the marks may disappear completely. This applies to adolescence, pregnancy and menopause, and taking hormonal contraceptives. The process begins with the formation of a white outline, which over time covers the entire nevus.
- Effect of radiation. Ionizing radiation negatively affects the human body. Even a small dose of radiation is enough to transform a mole into a malignant tumor.
- Injury. The spot around the nevus appears after mechanical impact on the skin - impact, friction, squeezing. This occurs due to the outflow of blood from the vessels located in the area of the damaged areas.
Whatever the reason for the whitened rim, you cannot leave a mole without observation.
Types of nevi with a halo
If the area around the mole turns white, then there is a possibility that one of the following types of marks will form:
- Sutton's nevus is a brown mole with a rim of skin devoid of pigment. The spots have an irregular shape and merge with other moles. Sutton's nevi most often appear during puberty and do not require medical intervention.
- Nevus of Setton - pigment spots with a ring of white skin no more than 1 cm. In rare cases, the mole has a spotted surface on which long dark hairs grow. Setton's nevus can disappear on its own for no apparent reason, or it can remain with a person for the rest of his life.
- Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder, manifested by the appearance of white spots of varying sizes on the skin. As vitiligo develops, they grow and merge with each other. A person with this pathology does not experience discomfort; he is just not recommended to take prolonged sunbathing.
You might think that a light-colored spot on the body is not dangerous and only has an unaesthetic appearance. In fact, melanoma may be hidden under a benign formation. This malignant tumor tends to hide its appearance for a long time and very suddenly begins to grow and invade healthy tissue.
Treatment
Treatment methods for skin tumors with a halo depend primarily on the diagnosis. In particular, the doctor may recommend removing ordinary nevi using a scalpel or laser, or simply not touching them, observing the dynamics for some time. If we are talking about a potentially dangerous mole, then it must be removed, including healthy skin, and carefully examined. In the future, the patient may be prescribed additional treatment designed to prevent cancer or stop malignant processes.
Dangerous signs of halo zone pigmentation
If nevi with bleached areas of skin around them cause discomfort, then there is a high probability of developing a pathological process.
This is indicated by the following symptoms:
- growth and change in shape,
- uneven edges,
- nodules and tubercles on the surface,
- peeling and cracks,
- inflammation and swelling,
- color change,
- painful sensations and itching.
The presence of one or more signs indicates the activation of the tumor. In the inflamed skin, a biochemical process occurs, which is provoked by metabolic metabolism. This transformation most often turns out to be the initial stage of the degeneration of a mole into a malignant tumor.
Diagnosis of nevi with a rim
If a white spot appears around the circumference of a mole, dermatologists recommend not waiting for degeneration and removing it with a formation. But before this, it is necessary to carry out a diagnosis, which will make it possible to verify the benign nature of the nevus.
It includes:
- General inspection. Using a magnifying glass with polarized light, a specialist visually examines the condition of the skin at the sites of tumors.
- Dermatoscopy. A layer of gel is locally applied to the patient’s skin; it increases the transparency of the upper layers of the epidermis. A special device (dermatoscope) examines the relief and structure of the nevus.
Experienced doctors do not recommend collecting material for histological examination before removing a mole. After all, trauma to a malignant tumor leads to an acceleration of the spread of metastases. Even in cases where the nevus does not pose a threat, a skin biopsy can provoke its degeneration.
Should the stain be removed or lightened?
If the slightest changes appear, you should visit a doctor.
At the doctor's appointment, the area causing concern will be examined and after dermatoscopy a final diagnosis will be made. A mole with a rim of brown or other color is dangerous and requires surgical or laser removal. The procedure involves complete excision of the malignant tumor, with minor damage to healthy skin. Helps prevent further spread of melanoma cells. Removal must take place in a clinic using a special device. You should not go to beauty salons to solve this problem. Improper excision will lead to serious complications, possibly fatal.
The procedure for lightening moles is harmful; a highly qualified specialist will not resort to it; there is a risk of transformation of the nevus.
Mole removal
After receiving the results of the examination confirming the possibility of removing the nevus, the dermatologist will suggest one of the ways to do it:
- Electrocoagulation. The impact on the mole occurs with high-frequency current with high intensity. The electric field provokes the formation of a thermal effect. Due to this, the damaged skin is cauterized, which prevents bleeding.
- Cryodestruction is the removal of a mole using low temperatures. A cotton swab soaked in liquid nitrogen is applied to superficial nevi. Exposure time – 3 minutes. During this period, numbness and subsequent tissue death occurs. If the mole has grown deeper, a cryodestructor is used. Liquid nitrogen is injected into the lower layers of the epidermis with a special needle, which is connected to sensors. The design allows you to control the temperature and interrupt the procedure if necessary.
- Laser removal is layer-by-layer removal of a mole with a directed beam of a certain length. The duration of the procedure is no more than 15 minutes without pain. Point exposure eliminates damage to healthy tissue.
- Radio wave method. A device that creates high-frequency waves transmits an impulse to a radio knife. It, in turn, acts on the skin without contact with it. The waves penetrate deep into the epidermis, cutting off tissue from the healthy area.
- Surgical method. After administering local anesthesia, the surgeon disinfects the site of the nevus and excises it with a scalpel. The tissue located just below the surface of the skin must be removed. If the mole is large in size and has grown deeply into the epidermis, then sutures are required after surgical removal.
Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. They should be studied and the most effective and safe should be chosen. But under no circumstances should you try to get rid of an unusual mark on the body using folk methods. After all, no one can guarantee that an unexamined mole is not dangerous. And homemade lotions and baths can accelerate the spread of metastases, if any.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is always insidious. It grows very quickly and early causes metastases that reach the size of a walnut. Most often it occurs on the skin. But medicine knows cases when a tumor develops on the mucous membranes of the genital organs, mouth, intestines, and even on the retina of the eyes. They say that the more moles on a person’s body, the happier his life will be. However, doctors always note with regret: the more moles, the higher the risk of melanoma.
Preventing the appearance of white spots
The main preventative measure to never encounter a cosmetic defect on the skin is the absence of prolonged contact with UV rays. You should not be in the open area in the summer heat, especially during the midday hours. It is better to plan outdoor trips before 11 o'clock in the afternoon and after 18 o'clock in the evening. If you still need to go outside, then before going out, exposed skin should be lubricated with a protective agent.
In addition, it is important to avoid mechanical damage to moles. To do this, you should stop wearing tight clothes and shoes. If there is a convex nevus on the body, it is better to remove it. This will prevent accidental tearing off of the formation and possible activation of the pathological process.
From medical experts you can hear that moles are a potential health threat. Indeed, the cute marks that people are born with are localized holes in the skin. They indicate the imperfection of the protective functions of the epidermis and, under certain circumstances, can become a gateway for the spread of malignant cells.
Possible complications and precautions
Knowing the causes and signs of the degeneration of benign formations into a cancerous tumor, you can avoid dangerous complications. Melanoma is a serious consequence. Treatment in the early stages will give positive results. If you delay visiting the hospital, the consequences will be serious and will require a lot of effort and money. If the tumor is not removed in time, it will metastasize, affecting the lymphatic system and distant organs. Removing them will not be easy. Treatment will not bring positive results, and death is possible.
You can protect yourself by following simple preventive measures:
- do not sunbathe in the sun during dangerous hours (between 11 o'clock in the afternoon and 5 o'clock in the evening);
- use sunscreen;
- visiting a solarium is not recommended;
- timely treatment of damaged nevi;
- Regular examination of all moles and spots.
If suspicious signs appear, see a doctor immediately. Vigilance is never superfluous; timely and high-quality treatment will help avoid complications.
