Mole Removal

By keana_carr

Moles can appear anywhere on the body. They are very common and usually harmless They are formed by skin cells which produce pigment, known as melanocytes. Moles are usually brown in color, but may be darker or match the skin tone of the person.

Many people are born with moles present on their skin these are called congenital melanonaevi. However, the majority of moles develop spontaneously or are caused by spending a lot of time in sunlight; these tend to appear on those areas of the skin that catch the most sunlight.

The main concern for many people is that their moles may develop into a condition called malignant melanoma. This is a form of skin cancer, which can be fatal. Early detection and treatment is important. The melanoma is treated by surgical excision, meaning it is cut out of the skin.

If you have a number of moles it is important to take care in the sun. Keep those areas of the skin covered from the sun and use a high factor sunscreen. If you notice any changes in the colour or size of a mole, do not hesitate in seeking medical advice, especially if there is a history of malignant melanoma in the family.

Check your moles out. What to look for.

A change in color, has the mole become darker or changed color completely?
A change in size, has the mole become larger or is it an irregular shape?
Is it itchy?
Has it started to bleed?

Mole removal can be surgically removed in one of the following two ways:

Surgical excision – This involves cleaning and numbing the area with local anaesthetic and then cutting the mole out from the skin. The skin is then stitched

Cauterisation – A scalpel is used to scrape away the mole and it is then ‘burnt’ using an electrical tool.

Remember if you have any concerns about moles on your body do not delay seeking medical advice.

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`john 4 years ago

This information told me alot about moles, see i have a couple of them. 2 on my neck, i just wish they could have told me what would happen if i cut or pulled them off myself. Other then that, this statment can answer alot of questions.

Lance_F 3 years ago

What I want to know is how long is it safe to wait for removal. I saw a dermatologist today and within three seconds of seeing my mole, said it should come off. The mole evolved from a freckle in my belly button to the size of a moderately large tick one might take off a dog. I didn't notice it till this week, but didn't get any sun exposure within the past three years. The doctor scheduled surgery for 8 weeks from now. Is it safe to wait so long? That is what I would like to know.

Jeremy 3 years ago

This is for the previous comment about how long should you wait for mole removal. If the mole is cancerous it is very important to remove it as soon as possible. If the mole is benign, then it's no big deal. There's a site http://www.moleandwart.com that will show you pictures of each as well as the different procedures of removal. Hope this helps.