If a mole under the arm is inflamed, it causes a lot of inconvenience and can cause extremely unpleasant consequences. Moles, or nevi, on the body are a completely common and familiar phenomenon. In themselves, they do not pose a health hazard, but large moles that protrude above the surface of the skin require careful and careful treatment.
The reasons why nevi become inflamed are:
- mechanical injuries - rubbing, scratching, attempts at self-removal, burns, etc.;
- degeneration of a mole into a malignant tumor due to hormonal imbalances or excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Hanging moles under the arms can be injured in the following cases:
- careless shaving;
- wearing clothes with narrow armholes - the nevus is rubbed by the stitching of the sleeve;
- picking with nails while scratching.
Whatever the cause of the inflammatory process, you should not expect it to go away on its own. A large number of sweat glands are concentrated in the armpits, and sweat is a breeding ground for microorganisms living on the human body. Thus, an inflamed mole located under the arm is at increased risk of infection, which can initiate the development of melanoma or significantly accelerate it.
Why do hanging moles appear?
People understand the meaning of the word “mole” differently – for some, it is a congenital pigment spot consisting of melanocytes accumulated in the subcutaneous space. Others use this term to mean all existing epidermal growths - papillomas, condylomas, keratomas, etc.
If we talk about ordinary pigmented moles, then their causes are as follows:
- Heredity - quantity, location, color is laid down in utero at the DNA level. Multiple pigmentation on the body of parents in 90% of cases is transmitted to children - the first spots may appear immediately after birth;
- Ultraviolet light – it promotes the activation of melanocyte cells, which produce the coloring substance melanin. The more intense and frequent the UV radiation, the more active the melanocytes work - moles increase in size, darken, and the appearance of new pigmentation is observed. In addition, excess UV leads to mutation of melanocytes, as a result, a mole can degenerate into melanoma (skin cancer);
- Radioactive radiation affects the body in the same way as UV rays;
- Endocrine and hormonal disorders can cause a small mole to transform into a large hanging nevus;
- Injuries, insect bites, and dermatological ailments can trigger the growth mechanism.
Reasons for appearance
If the reader is interested in why various hanging warts form under the armpit and on the body, then it is worth knowing that depending on their type, the reasons for the formation may be different.
Nevus
The formation of a nevus can be provoked by both congenital causes and third-party factors. Congenital nevus is formed due to malformations of the embryo. As a result, melanocytes accumulate in the baby's skin layers.
The reasons for the appearance of hanging moles on the body acquired are as follows:
- Heredity;
- Viral infections and bacteria;
- Hormonal imbalances;
- Increased and prolonged exposure to the sun in open clothing;
- Skin pathologies in the form of rashes, etc.;
- Skin injuries.
Soft fibroma
The reasons for the formation of such warts on the armpits or groin are:
- Skin aging (in patients over 40 years old);
- Mechanical effects on the skin (friction of clothing, etc.);
- Malfunctions of the hormonal and endocrine systems;
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 11 and 6 (in 25% of patients out of 100 subjects).
Pigmented papilloma
The main reason for the formation of such a hanging mole is HPV, which is transmitted either during the passage of the fetus through the birth canal, or through sexual contact, or through the use of personal hygiene items of an infected person. In most cases, the human papillomavirus remains in a latent state. The following factors can wake him up and provoke the growth of hanging moles:
- Decreased immunity;
- Being in a state of constant emotional stress;
- Malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Frequent colds;
- Promiscuous sex with frequent changes of sexual partners;
- Staying in public swimming pools, on beaches, in saunas;
- Long-term use of antibiotics.
Keratoma
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Most often it is formed due to age-related skin changes or genetic predisposition.
Neurofibroma
Appears in most cases hereditarily or due to a gene mutation in the patient's body.
Important: in any case, the risk group includes fair-skinned people, women, patients with thermal and chemical burns on the skin, as well as people exposed to the sun for a long time.
When deletion is indicated
It doesn’t matter what causes the appearance of hanging moles - the production of melanocytes or the activation of HPV, being in traumatic places, all of them must be removed. The only condition is the patient's desire.
The armpit, groin, neck are very easy to injure the growth here (rubbed with clothing, accidentally cut with a blade, caught in jewelry). Any injury can cause a mole to grow; in addition, an infection can easily penetrate the wound, causing redness, inflammation, and even suppuration of the growth. If the injured neoplasm is located in places where sweat glands accumulate, then it takes quite a long time to heal.
In general, calm, painless moles with a diameter of up to 6 mm, with a smooth surface and clear edges do not need to be removed - they are safe, treatment is carried out solely at the request of the patient (due to aesthetic discomfort).
Important! If a hanging mole under the armpit becomes inflamed and reddened, for no apparent reason, this is an alarming sign, consult a doctor immediately.
How to make sure that there is no malignant degeneration of a mole
If a patient has pain in a mole under the arm or there are other signs of malignant changes in the tumor, it is recommended to consult a doctor without delay.
The doctor knows what methods should be used in order to eliminate the processes of malignancy in the body.
For this, a number of diagnostic measures are used.2.
- 1. Dermatoscopy is performed
The dermoscopic method allows you to examine the formation in detail.
Also, if necessary, monitor its changes in dynamics.
The principle is very simple.
A special apparatus is used, at the end of which there is a magnifying glass and powerful lighting.
The device is often supplemented with a special camera that allows you to take detailed pictures.
- 2. Histology is being performed
If there is a suspicion of malignant changes in the tumor, histology is recommended.
The test is simple: a small section of tissue is taken for evaluation using a microscope and other techniques.
If signs of malignant cell degeneration are detected, urgent removal of the tumor is recommended.
Or taking other measures aimed at preventing the development of the oncological process.
Dangerous symptoms of degeneration
For various reasons, a nevus can become inflamed, red, and even painful (most often this is associated with injury), but what if all these unpleasant symptoms appear, as they say, “out of the blue,” then you can suspect the worst thing - the degeneration of a mole into melanoma.
The main signs that you should pay attention to in order to recognize malignancy in time:
- A small mole is growing rapidly;
- The color of the growth changes (lightens or darkens);
- The structure of the neoplasm has changed (it has become dense or, on the contrary, soft);
- The boundaries are unclear, blurry;
- The surface is lumpy, rough;
- Cracks and exudate appeared;
- The main symptoms are inflammation and pain.
Even if a small hanging mole appears under the arm, but it has one or more of the above symptoms, it should be removed immediately - timely treatment increases the chances of completely getting rid of cancer.
Important! According to statistics, the initial stage of melanoma (without metastasis) can be completely cured in 90% of cases. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor, and especially do not self-medicate - home removal is prohibited in this case.
Types of complications after traumatization of moles
Traumatization of moles, as doctors note, is the most unpleasant thing about the existence of these neoplasms.
Moreover, injuries not only cause immediate discomfort to patients, but also lead to the development of a number of complications.
Among them:
- Bleeding
Usually they are local in nature and do not pose a serious threat to the body.
They often occur, for example, if a woman shaved off a mole under her arm during a standard hygiene procedure.
May be significant in duration.
Hydrogen peroxide, which is soaked in a tampon and then applied to the problem area, can help cope with bleeding.
- Partial separation
A variant of traumatization in which a convex skin defect remains hanging on a strip of fabric, ceasing to fully adhere to the skin.
Patients note severe pain, may suffer from bleeding, and complain of other unpleasant sensations.
- Full break
The same option when a mole under the arm was removed, but the defect does not heal.
Patients also complain of pain and bleeding.
- Infection
When frequently traumatized, a mole becomes an excellent entry point for various infections to enter the body.
In this case, it can become inflamed, fester, and sometimes even become necrotic.
When can removal be done at home?
It is not recommended to cauterize or freeze pigmented nevi on your own - the consequences of such manipulations can be irreversible. Visit a medical facility, where you (your choice) will undergo laser, radio wave destruction, electrocoagulation or cryotherapy. A single tumor is removed quickly, painlessly and without unnecessary financial costs.
Benign multiple papillomas can be removed at home (malignancy can only be confirmed or refuted by diagnostic means - a visit to a doctor is mandatory).
Of course, you can get rid of them using hardware procedures, but you will have to pay for each individual pathological element - the amount will not be small. That is why many people prefer to carry out removal at home, using a special medication or a folk recipe.
Removing moles quickly
In modern medicine, there are various ways to remove moles.
The best option is always chosen by the attending physician.
In this case, it is recommended to rely on the general condition of the patient, individual characteristics, and the size of the tumor.
To get rid of a nevus, it is recommended to give preference to minimally invasive techniques.
The recovery period after them is minimal.
There is almost no pain, and the risk of complications is minimized.
The following techniques can be used:
- laser technology, which involves the action of a concentrated laser beam on a defect, is characterized by bloodlessness and minimal pain accompanying the procedure
- electrocoagulation, which involves acting on formation with the help of current, helps best if you need to get rid of a defect that has already been injured
- cryodestruction - removal of a formation using the action of extremely low temperatures on it, a quick method, albeit with severe damage to surrounding tissues
- radio wave method is an approach thanks to which today even quite complex formations on the skin are removed
We must not forget that, if necessary, the doctor can always perform a classic operation based on the use of a conventional scalpel.
True, the technique is considered traumatic.
It is used only if the formation is very large and there is no other way to get rid of it.
Folk removal remedies
There are many ways to remove pseudo-moles on your own, here are the most well-known remedies:
- A home remedy that grows everywhere is celandine. The growth is treated with its juice twice a day, over time it turns black and falls off. You can make an ointment from celandine (mix the juice with Vaseline), treatment is carried out 2-3 times a day;
- Lubricate the new growth with iodine until it dries out. You can also make a compress and leave it overnight;
- Rub the growth with brown laundry soap and wash off after 8-12 hours. Typically, 4 procedures are sufficient to remove small moles;
- Treat with fresh juice of garlic, onion, dandelion - simply drip onto the surface of the growth or make compresses.
If you decide to remove it yourself, first undergo diagnostics and coordinate your actions with your doctor.
Prevention measures
To prevent the nevus from transforming into a malignant formation, its owner needs to take some precautions:
- try to injure as little as possible;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene (the nevus must be kept clean to avoid infection in the event of injury);
- Be careful when washing and performing other hygienic procedures;
- if the mole is very bothersome, go to a medical facility for removal
Whether or not to remove a mole is up to the person to decide. If she doesn’t interfere and “behaves well,” then you shouldn’t touch her. And if there is even the slightest concern, then it is better to remove the mole.
