Skin moles, often called "beauty marks" in popular fashion, can be found on all parts of the body. Everyone has at least one; in fact, the Cleveland Clinic reports that most people have between 10 and 40 by the time of adulthood. Scientists speculate that the occurrence is genetic. Moles come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Common moles also have the possibility of morphing into less common, and more dangerous, skin cancer.
Tiny Speck Moles
Moles are considered a normal and harmless skin development, according to Daniel W. Collison, M.D. They vary in size from tiny specks no larger in diameter than a pencil point to moles more than 1 inch wide, according to the online service of the "Merck Manual of Medical Information."
Regular-Shaped Moles
Moles may take any shape, but typically the skin forms in an approximate circle or oval. The textures also vary from rough, almost wart-like surfaces, to those that are almost perfectly smooth. Moles can be either flush with the skin or raised significantly above its surface. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that most common moles are benign and require no medical attention.
Irregularly-Shaped Moles
Moles are created by clustered skin cell growth and expand through a gradual process of cell accumulation. Irregularly-shaped moles (also called dysplastic nevi) are on the lists of the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology as a possible source for skin cancer. The exact reason for the link between the two is unknown.
Red-Colored Moles
Moles on one person's body can take various colors, shapes and sizes. Red moles frequently turn brown or dark brown, but as the body ages, newly-formed red moles appear and may no longer fade to a brown tone.
Small, firm red bumps may be mistaken for common red moles but, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this development may instead be either dermatofibromas, an accumulation of "soft tissue cells under the skin," or pyogenic granulomas, a large growth of small blood vessels. A diagnosis from a medical professional is required to determine the exact nature of the red bump.
Flesh-Colored Moles
Scientists link increased hormone levels with mole growth and darkening colors. As the body ages, moles typically raise above the skin and become more flesh-colored and less-pigmented. The Cleveland Clinic states that some of the flesh-colored moles disappear as the body ages.
Hidden Moles
Common moles are located in hidden places, according the the Mayo Clinic, including "between your toes and on your palms, soles, scalp or genitals." The medical concern for moles in these areas rests with the lack of monitoring. Moles in these less common areas require the same continual cancer monitoring that moles on the face or arms do.
Member Comments