Reasons for Removal
Moles are often referred to as nevi, and can be found on almost every area of the body. Moles may appear to be a dark spot or raised surface on the skin. They generally range between skin-colored to having brown tones. They may also represent an irregularity in the appearance of the skin. Most moles are removed strictly for cosmetic purposes so that the patient feels more comfortable with their appearance. Some moles may catch on clothing or hair, making them painful and irritating. A main concern for mole removal is to detect malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer but can be contained or cured if caught early. Making sure to have all moles or skin irregularities evaluated by a dermatologist is the only way to know that a mole is not cancerous. Moles that bleed, are larger than a pencil eraser, have an irregular border and variations in color should be evaluated and possibly biopsied.
Removal
All moles and skin lesions should be removed by a qualified physician or assistant. No one should try to remove moles at home. There are generally two ways in which the mole can be removed---by cutting or by cauterization. Cutting the mole is generally used for moles that are suspected of melanoma or have formed deep within the skin's tissue. When excising the mole, the physician will want to make sure to get all of the nevi so that the mole does not return. In some cases where the mole is suspected of skin cancer, nearby locations may also be removed in order to determine if the cancer has spread to nearby tissue. Light anesthesia may be administered for the patient to relax, along with a local anesthetic to block pain. Total recovery ranges between three and 14 days, depending on the depth of the incision. For moles that grow on top of the skin, they may be able to be removed by cauterization. This procedure involves injecting a local anesthetic into the mole so the area is completely numbed. The dermatologist or physician then takes a cauterizing tool and burns the mole off. Healing and recovery is generally less than 48 hours. Some dermatologists utilize laser surgery. This is generally used in instances where the mole is small, skin-colored and shows no sign of melanoma or other skin cancers.
Follow-Up Care
Once the mole is removed, it is important to institute proper follow-up care to aid healing. With cauterization procedures, the area may bleed for up to 24 hours---this is normal as the skin is developing a scab. The scab will eventually fall off within a week. Keep the area clean and dry and do not pull or scrape off the scab, or the area could scar. For deeper excisions, a dressing may be placed over the area per the instructions of the dermatologist. Keeping the area clean and changing the dressing as needed will promote optimal healing.
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