Moles
Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD
Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
- Moles facts
- What are moles?
- What causes moles, and what are risk factors for developing moles?
- What types of moles are there?
- What are liver spots or age spots?
- What are seborrheic keratoses?
- Who is more prone to getting moles?
- Does having more moles increase my chance of getting melanoma?
- Do moles ever disappear spontaneously?
- Which skin cancers look like moles?
- How can moles be prevented?
- How can moles be treated? What are different types of mole removal?
- Is there a blood test or X-ray to diagnose moles?
- Find a local Doctor in your town
Moles facts
- Moles are common, small tan or brown spots on the skin.
- Moles may be flat or raised.
- Most moles are genetically predetermined before we are born.
- Sun exposure in childhood causes an increase in the number of moles.
- Most moles appear by age 20 or 30.
- Moles may be mistaken for freckles and other skin growths.
- Irregular moles may develop into skin cancer called melanoma.
- Skin cancer may at times masquerade or hide as a regular mole.
- Irregular or changing moles should be promptly examined by your physician or dermatologist.
- Minor surgery is the most effective way to remove a mole.
What are moles?
Besides being a small burrowing mammal and a unit of chemical weight, the term mole (in reference to skin) is used to describe a variety of skin imperfections. Personally, I prefer the term beauty mark. Moles may be tan, brown, black, reddish brown, red, purple, or skin-colored and perfectly flat or raised. Most moles are the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm).
Certain moles become darker and more apparent with sun exposure and pregnancy. These typically lighten somewhat in the winter months. Moles can occur anywhere on the skin, including the scalp, ears, eyelids, lips, palms, soles, genitals, penis, and anal area.
The medical term for most moles is melanocytic nevus (plural nevi) which is composed of masses of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells of the skin. However, there are a variety of other skin lesions that are also mole-like. These include seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, dermatofibromas lentigines, and freckles. In this article, the term moles will be synonymous with melanocytic nevus.
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