Removing moles, do I need to delete them?

There are birth marks on the body of each person. They all have different size, shape and color. Some moles are almost imperceptible and do not cause any discomfort to a person. However, there are also those that protrude above the surface of a person, constantly touching on clothes and thus deliver discomfort. In such cases, a person thinks about removing a birthmark.

There are a lot of rumors about moles. Some doctors and specialists believe that removing moles is bad for health, as this can cause the development of cancer. Others, on the contrary, believe that some moles are best removed to reduce the risk of oncology. Whoever is right, in any case, at the appearance of a large birthmark that grows rapidly, changes its color, bleeds or hurts, it is necessary to see the doctor and conduct a biopsy.

Causes of moles on the body

Birthmarks, if they are large, are conspicuous. Some moles are not very different from skin color, and some are the opposite. Over time, any mole changes color and becomes dark. This is quite normal. Where do these birthmarks come from? For many years, scientists have been looking for an answer to this question. And as it turned out, the number of moles is a genetic feature. If your parents have a lot on the body of moles, then you will have a lot of them.

In large quantities and for a short period of time birthmarks can occur during pregnancy or during puberty. This is due to a change in the hormonal background. Sometimes moles appear due to infections. Therefore, one should always be very cautious with various formations on the skin: irritations, rashes, pimples. However, the most powerful stimulator of growth of moles on our body is excessive ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, if there are many moles on your body, then you should refuse to visit the solarium and try to spend as little time as possible under the sun.

By birth moles can be acquired and congenital. In structure, they are divided into vascular and pigmented. Pigmentary birthmarks are slightly darkened( freckles, pigmented spots, flat birthmarks).Their structure is the same as the structure of the skin. Such birthmarks are absolutely safe and therefore they do not need to be removed.

Vascular moles( papillomatous nevusy and angiomas) can be embossed and have a structure not like skin. Such birthmarks are innocuous regardless of shape and size. However, under the influence of some negative factors, they can develop into malignant formations and lead to skin cancer. Signs of such violations can be easily noticed: the mole sharply changes color, texture, size, it can secrete fluid, it can become crusted, swell, bleed, itch and so on.

It's also worth worrying if nodules and growths begin to appear on the surface of the mole, and around it are daughter formations that look like an allergic rash. In addition to these signs, there may be other: an increase in lymph nodes. When these symptoms appear, you should not self-medicate and ignore the problem. It is not necessary to use ointments, lotions and other means in order to get rid of the mole yourself. After all, it can aggravate the process and lead to blood poisoning or the development of oncology. The best way out of the situation will be a quick call to the doctor. He will conduct the necessary examination and, if necessary, remove the birthmark.

Diagnosis of lesions on the skin

Very often doctors recommend removing the birthmark if the patient complains of it. Even if the birthmark is not dangerous, doctors recommend that it be done to reinsure. An experienced eye doctor can determine the condition of the mole. If it is a cluster of benign cells, then the removal is assigned immediately. If there is a suspicion of a malignant formation, the doctor will prescribe a diagnosis to determine the stage of the tumor and choose the most appropriate method of removal. In the early stages, a diagnostic method called dermatoscopy is used. This method does not require surgical intervention and is based on a visual examination. With the help of a special device, research is carried out. Due to this method, compliance with the following parameters is determined:

• edge( edges and borders must be clearly defined);
• asymmetry( through the birthmark you can draw a visual axis, which divides it into two equal parts);
• shade of color( various color irregularities in the body of a mole become a warning signal: granules, veins and blotches of black, gray, red or pink);
• size( the larger the size of a mole, the greater its probability of degeneration into a malignant one);
• dynamics and the presence of changes( size, color, crust).

This method is effective at 80%.However, it is not used in the later stages of development of melanoma, and also for the study of colorless and nodular birthmarks, since there are no signs on which analysis is carried out. To determine the nature of degeneration of moles, other diagnostic methods are used, for example, ultrasound diagnostics.

Removing moles

If the doctor prescribes removal of the mole, then it must be done as soon as possible. It is not necessary to remove birthmarks in cosmetology offices, but in hospitals and certified dermatologists or oncologists. There are several methods of removal: surgical, cryodistruction, electrocoagulation, evaporation by laser. The method is chosen depending on the stage of development of the mole.

If you need to remove a simple mole, which is not dangerous and does not cause anxiety, then the most effective method will be laser removal. Under local anesthesia laser removal is performed. Thanks to the laser, it is possible to control the depth of impact and to set the desired beam diameter. This method is safe, because with it there are no bleeding, infections and the recovery period after removal is small. The operation lasts about five minutes, and the recovery period is not more than two weeks. After surgery, there are no traces left on the site of the birthmark.

Another method is electrocoagulation. With this method, the mole is removed by the action of an electric current of high frequency. After removal, the removal site is covered with a crust, and then it disappears and no traces remain. Cryodestruction is also a safe method of removing moles. Under the influence of low temperatures, the mole falls away. This method is similar to the first, but the recovery period is longer - about a month or two. For the face, this method is not used. Another disadvantage of cryodestruction is that with this method one can not control the depth and the area of ​​removal, which means that it is possible to injure healthy tissues and damage them.

The surgical method of removing moles is the oldest. It is used in cases where moles are large and deep. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. In place of the excised mole, seams are applied, which are removed after a week. However, after this method of removal remains a scar a couple of millimeters thick.

Whatever method of removal of a birthmark you would not have assigned, it is necessary to adhere to all the recommendations of the doctor. On the question of whether to remove moles, there is no single answer. If the birthmark is safe, it does not cause any discomfort, except aesthetic, it can be removed or left. But you need to get a doctor's consultation beforehand. If the birthmark is a life threatening threat to a person, then it should be removed to reduce the risk of developing an oncology or infecting a birthmark.