Moles are something viewed as either a beauty mark or an unsightly spot on the skin. Baby Center explains that moles or nevi are oval and round, even-colored spots on the skin. They can be almost anywhere on the body. If you have concerns that a mole on your child's body is changing or looks suspicious for skin cancer, have it examined and possibly removed.
Step 1
Examine your child's entire body for moles or mole changes. This is important because you may find an additional mole needing examination by a dermatologist. The Skin Care Guide recommends that you examine all parts of the body including the scalp, face, head, chest, neck, torso, legs, feet, arms, hands and underarms. If you notice a new mole or one that has changed in size, shape, or texture, alert the doctor.
Step 2
Schedule an appointment with a doctor. You can take your child to his regular pediatrician for a complete examination. If he feels a doctor specializing in mole removal should see the child, he will refer him to a dermatologist. The dermatologist will carefully examine your child's skin. He will look for signs of skin cancer such as a mole that is larger than a pencil eraser or has irregular borders or shapes. If it varies in color or crusts over and bleeds, the doctor will likely remove it. While rare, a child can get melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, explains Keep Kids Healthy. Melanoma is treatable if detected early.
Step 3
Prepare your child by explaining to him that he will have to hold still during the procedure. The doctor will numb the area around the mole. He will then take a scalpel to shave or remove the mole, this is curettage or surgical excision, explains the American Academy of Dermatology. He will then cauterize the area to seal the skin. If he chooses to remove the skin and tissue surrounding the nevi he may have to stitch the area back together so it heals properly. The entire process should take less than 10 minutes.
Step 4
Await the test results on the mole. The doctor will send any mole that is suspicious for cancer or pre-cancerous cells to the lab for a complete pathology report. The report can take up to seven days for completion. The doctor will inform you of the test results and determine whether further treatment may be necessary.
Step 5
Promote healing within the area by allowing the skin to breathe and develop a scab. Do not pull on the scab or scrape it off --- this could cause scarring.
Tips and Warnings
- Never try to diagnose or remove a mole at home. Teach your child to be aware of skin changes on her body, and to inform you immediately if there is a concern. Follow up on all return visits with your pediatrician or dermatologist.
- Watch for signs of infection at the excision site, this includes drainage of any color. Inform your doctor if the excision site bleeds continuously or does not heal properly.
