Specialist in the field of skin diseases Alena Shamilevna: talks about moles and the dangers they hide. The expert made a list of reasons to visit a doctor if any education bothers us. One of the most common mistakes of patients is that they confuse moles with papillomas, keratomas and other formations. Only a doctor can determine what the education is and assess the he alth risk
Why do new moles form and which ones are dangerous?
Moles appear throughout life. Those that appear in the first few years after birth are very unlikely to degenerate into malignant ones. And the most dangerous moles are those that appear due to hormonal changes, exposure to sunlight, stress and injuries.
What are the causes of mole removal?
Symptoms according to the ACORD rule. If you find an uneven mole or notice that it has changed in size, then it should be examined, but more often the doctor prescribes removal.
Pain, itching, bloody or clear discharge. It doesn't matter what caused the itching or discharge: even a minor injury can have fatal consequences.
Skin model change. Moles have the same skin pattern as the skin around them. A mole may have hair and discoloration, as it does all over the body. If the surface suddenly becomes too smooth or the hair disappears, this may be the first sign of a malignant formation.
Difficult location. Noticeable and large moles are usually removed if there is no possibility to follow them or there is a high probability of accidental damage. The most common places: genitals, places of contact with clothes (on the back at the bra, near the belt of the pants, the collar, in the area under the arms).
High probability of injury. Even if the mole is visible, it is sometimes very easy to injure it. For example, when you shave, when it is on the lower part of the face or on the neck.
What are the ways to remove moles?
Removal from Surgitron ("Surgitron"). The most modern and safe way: the device does not heat the surrounding tissues and ensures rapid healing.
Cryodestruction - removal of the mole with liquid nitrogen. A very common method of removing moles on the body. It leaves no scars and is absolutely painless.
Excision - removal with a scalpel. The method is quite outdated, leaves scars and requires a long recovery period.
Laser removal. The procedure is performed by a specialized erbium or CO2 laser. The procedure is effective but expensive.
Evaporation. Using a special laser device, the doctor destroys the tissue structure of the mole, as if vaporizing it. This is one of the few methods that can be applied to mucous membranes.
Removal with radio waves. Contactless method. The doctor makes an incision with a radioactive knife and cuts open the mole. The procedure is accessible to everyone, but there are several disadvantages: a scar remains, the method is not suitable for affecting mucous membranes, and special medical assistance is required.
Each method has its pros and cons. The method of removal should be chosen by the doctor based on the results of tests and history. Specialists conduct comprehensive diagnostics using modern technology, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient - and only then give recommendations on how to remove the mole.
How to identify a suspicious mole?
It is worth recalling the rule: "ACORD", the decryption of which is as follows:
A - asymmetry K - contour (fuzzy, blurred, uneven) O - color (any changes) P - size (changes in dimensions) D - dynamics (appearance of a crust, cracks, peeling, bleeding, sudden disappearance of the mole).
By this list you can check all suspicious moles. If at least one element is changed, the visit to a specialist cannot be postponed.
