Overview

Moles  are growths on the skin that are usually brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups.

Moles on the skin are growths on the skin that are brown or black. They occur when cells in skin, melanocytes, grow in clusters or clusters. Moles develop when melanocytes (which give the skin its natural color) grow in a cluster instead of spreading in the skin.

Most people have between 10 and 40 moles that change their appearance and fade over time. Congenital moles are usually flat and vary in color, and most of them will not be carcinogenic. Atypical moles (dysplastic nevi) are larger than normal moles, sometimes more than half an inch long, but they are not round.

Types of moles

Congenital Moles. moles that someone is born with, When a person is born with a mole, the mole is called a congenital mole. Roughly, 1 out of 100 people is born with a mole. These moles vary in size from small to giant. Having a giant congenital mole increases a person’s risk of developing melanoma.

Atypical Moles. Are moles that are larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These moles tend to be hereditary. People with atypical moles might have more than 100 moles and have a greater chance of developing malignant (cancerous) melanoma. Any changes in the mole should be checked by a dermatologist to detect skin cancer.

What causes moles?

Moles occur when cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These cells are called melanocytes, and they make the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Moles may darken after exposure to the sun, during the teen years, and during pregnancy.

How do I know if a mole is cancer?

The vast majority of moles are not dangerous. Moles that are more likely to be cancer are those that look different than other existing moles or those that first appear after age 25. If you notice changes in a mole's color, height, size, or shape, you should have a dermatologist (skin doctor) evaluate it. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, or become tender or painful.

How are moles treated?

If you have an atypical mole, you should have a monthly skin check to check for changes in size, shape, color, bleeding or wetting. If there are changes during a mole check, a dermatologist can detect skin cancer. If a mole is found to be carcinogenic, the dermatologist removes it by cutting it from the edge of the normal skin around the mole and sealing the wound.

A doctor can remove the skin around a mole by shaving or surgical cutting. During a surgical shave, the surface of the moles, including the skin layer around the moles, is skimmed off with a sharp blade.

Takeaway

Moles can be pink, brown, brown, or any color that comes close to a person's normal skin tone. Most moles are dark brown or black, but some skin can be yellowish. Moles on the skin that are colored yellow or brown can also be blue, gray or black. 

Attention to changes in the size, shape and color of moles on your skin. It is also important to inform your doctor of any changes to new spots or growths that appear different from the rest of the moles. Finally, it is important to be aware of changes in the skin over time, especially abnormal moles that may require medical treatment.