Moles

Treatment

Most moles do not require treatment. A dermatologist will remove a mole that:

• Bothers a patient (rubs against clothing, etc.).
• A patient finds unattractive.
• Could be skin cancer.

A dermatologist can remove a mole during an office visit. A few moles will require a second visit. Whether it's during 1 or 2 visits, a dermatologist can safely and easily remove a mole. A dermatologist will use 1 of these procedures:

• Surgical excision: The dermatologist cuts out the entire mole and stitches the skin closed. If the dermatologist suspects that the mole contains cancer, the dermatologist will send the mole to a lab. It will be examined under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.
• Surgical shave: The dermatologist uses a surgical blade to remove the mole.

Never try to shave off a mole at home.

Here’s why you should never try to shave off a mole at home:

• If the mole contains skin cancer, some of the cancer cells can stay in the skin — and even spread.
• You can disfigure your skin, causing a scar or other permanent reminder.
• You can cause an infection.

After a mole is removed, the skin will heal. If the mole grows back, immediately make another appointment to see your dermatologist. This is a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

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Can you prevent moles or are they hereditary?

Mole development is mostly determined by genes. Some families are more prone to developing them either from birth, or later in life. Preventing moles from developing is, therefore, very difficult. Sun exposure does, however, play a role, and it is thought that excessive exposure to the sun can promote the development of moles. Although sunscreens will be unlikely to completely prevent the development of moles, they are very important in preventing sun damage, which can lead to skin cancers, a far worse problem compared to moles.

Are moles dangerous in any way?

No, true moles are not dangerous. Unless they are irritated or stick to clothing, there isn't any reason to remove them, outside of cosmetic concerns. The only concern is that moles can resemble melanoma at its early stage, and that melanoma can develop inside the moles. In its early stages, melanoma can resemble the surrounding moles, which can delay diagnosis. Although dermatologists can diagnose melanoma, patients will need to be educated enough to be concerned and visit a dermatologist first.

How do I distinguish between moles and melanoma?

The ABCDEs are warning signs of melanoma, and demarcate melanoma from harmless moles. Note that not all melanomas will show all 5 signs. These are all signs that point out a mole may be suspicious. If notice any of these signs, visit a doctor and have your mole checked.

• A: Asymmetry in the skin lesion-color, shape and borders are various
• B: Border that is irregular-with boundaries that are unclear
• C: Color-multiple colors often with some faded areas
• D: Diameter-moles are not very likely to grow larger than 6mm
• E: Evolving-constant change of the lesion, especially noticeable enlarging

Should I remove all my moles to be safe?

This is usually not an option that is reasonable, considering the average number of moles that people will have. It is very common for people to have 30 to 50 moles. Removal requires time, money, and will often leave minor scarring. Melanomas are dangerous and we would all do well to watch out for warning signs, but there is no need to be paranoid about them. Checking your moles with a mirror or having a partner check your moles once a month would greatly reduce the risk of missing a melanoma until it has grown dangerous.

What should I do with my moles from a medical standpoint?

Most moles are best left alone. They are not dangerous, and are rarely too problematic from a cosmetic standpoint either. Many cultures find beauty spots to be a pleasing feature.

Is mole removal covered under medical insurance?

With certain exceptions, mole removal is considered to be a cosmetic/elective procedure, and is therefore not covered under medical insurance. If there is a concern that the mole may be malignant or that it may be a skin cancer, the removal procedure will be considered medical, and thus covered by most insurance policies. This is a general guideline, however, and every policy is different. For specifics, you should check your specific policy to see if it is covered.

Are there any risks involved in mole removal?

Mole removal procedures are generally safe procedures. As with any surgical procedure, some amount of scarring is to be expected, as are minor pain and redness. These are to be expected. In terms of unwanted side-effects, infections and allergic reactions to the anesthetic is a possible risk although these are both rather remote possibilities.

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