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Birthmark on the heel

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 17.10.2021
 
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The mole on the heel is a collection of special "melanocyte" cells in the layers of the skin. These cells are involved in the production of melanin. Be sure to follow the color and size of the birthmark, if it starts to change, you need to see a doctor. According to the international classification of diseases, the nevus or birthmark has code Q82.5. This includes all congenital non-neoplastic nevi. In the same list, doctors include the epidermal cyst, birthmarks of the vascular type, hemangiomas, granulomas, and other tumor-like formations on the skin. A particular cause for concern are the moles on their heels.

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Causes of the birth marks on the heel

Birthmarks appear already in the first year of the child's life. It is interesting that the newborn does not have them. Among the most common reasons for the appearance of a birthmark on the heel can be called:

  1. Genetic predisposition.
  2. Crash in the hormonal background.
  3. Period of pregnancy.
  4. Maturation of the genitals.

Whatever the reason for the appearance of the birthmark, it is best to immediately check with a specialist as soon as you notice it.

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Symptoms of the birth marks on the heel

It is necessary to understand that the mole on the heel is not only a small dark speck. Their appearance can be completely different, depending on the type of nevus:

  1. "Birthmarks on legs" or hanging moles. They are very dangerous in this place, since they can be damaged.
  2. Convex or large can appear in deep layers of the skin. Sometimes from them the hairs grow.
  3. Flat ones look like a usual pigmented spot. They usually do not change.
  4. Pigmented birthmark - can have any shade from black to blue.

Only after consulting a doctor can you be absolutely sure of the safety of the birthmark.

Mole on the heel of the child

If you notice that there was a birthmark on the heel of the child, you should immediately consult a dermatologist. The fact is that such spots can be quite painful, they often degenerate into malignant ones, and can also be damaged and interfered with walking. It is best to go to a specialist before the baby starts walking (if it has not already happened). More often after such nevi are observed for a long time, less often - they perform surgical intervention. If it is necessary to remove, then it is appointed for the autumn-winter period, when the sun is not so active.

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Where does it hurt?

Complications and consequences

Of course, it is not necessary to be frightened in advance, but most doctors are sure that nevi on the heels and feet are quite dangerous. Why? First, such birthmarks are on the ground, which are often traumatized. Secondly, the chance of malignancy in this case is significantly increased. The consequences of a mole on the heel can be quite serious. Especially when it comes to the degeneration of benign cells into malignant cells. If you have a suspicion of oncology, the therapist can prescribe you a referral to oncology centers.

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Diagnostics of the birth marks on the heel

When you visit a doctor, he necessarily conducts an anamnesis. That is, he asks the patient questions in order to better understand the picture of the birth of a birthmark on the heel and to diagnose it. The survey is considered one of the most important tools in the diagnostic process. Usually the dermatologist asks if there were similar situations among any of the family members, and whether there were diagnosed cases of melanoma manifestation in blood relatives.

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Analyzes with a mole on the heel

The tissue from the mole, which was removed, is given for a biopsy. Only after it can it be said with certainty that the stain was benign or malignant. This is what analysis is.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnosis of the birthmark on the heel is carried out using a special method - dermatoscopy. Thanks to him you can identify the development of melanoma. Dermatoscopy is not a surgical intervention, it is performed by a special apparatus (dermatoscope). This is a small microscope, through which you can see the top layer of cutaneous cut. Before the procedure, a special gel is applied to the spot of the pigment spot.

Thanks to this method of diagnosis, the mole on the heel is seen from all sides. Its color, size, relief, structure, and shape are studied. When the doctor assesses how dangerous the nevus is, pictures are taken and, if necessary, a removal is assigned.

Differential diagnosis

It often happens that nevi are very similar in appearance to melanoma, especially if they are congenital. This can be explained by the fact that they are larger, often have an asymmetric shape. Differential diagnosis of a mole on the heel requires professional examination of the pigmented spot.

Treatment of the birth marks on the heel

Removal of a mole on the heel can be done using different methods. But notice, if there is a suspicion of the malignant nature of the nevus, then the oncologist can only perform surgery. The most common methods of removal are:

  1. Surgical.
  2. Cryodestruction (liquid nitrogen).
  3. Electrocoagulation.
  4. Laser removal.

Surgical intervention is a classic method. In the process, the doctor makes a small incision of a round shape, affecting the patient's healthy skin. Sew a suture. Usually, surgical removal is performed if the mole is malignant. After this procedure, usually in place of the birthmark remains a noticeable scar. Often, if you do not use special ointments, you may even begin to have inflammation.

Less traumatic method is the use of liquid nitrogen. In this case, the birthmark is frozen. But doctors do not often use cryodestruction, because they consider it not as effective. Liquid nitrogen damages the tissues of the mole, which leads to its death. Nitrogen is held vertically above the spot spot for 20-30 minutes. Thus the doctor always takes away a part of a healthy skin. After a few minutes the color of the nevus changes markedly, it becomes pale. After an hour or two after the procedure, the so-called "epidermal bladder" appears on the site of the mole, which will come off in 7 days. The patient in the process of cryodestruction can feel painful sensations, tingling. After the operation, you must carefully care for your skin with the help of the tools that the doctor will write out.

Electrocoagulation is exposure to electric current. After the procedure, a small crust forms in place of the mole, which eventually disappears. The main advantages of this method can be called: the speed of the exercise, a short rehabilitation period, the absence of scars or scars, the removed material can be given for biopsy, the impact can be deep or shallow, there is no infection of the wound. But electrocoagulation is only suitable for patients whose moles are small in size. Usually there are no complications after such an intervention, if the patient uses various means for healing and does not remain in the sun for a long time.

The most safe for today is considered laser removal. The most important difference is that after the procedure the wound immediately heals and does not bother the patient. Laser removal can not be carried out for people with chronic diseases of any type, diabetes, pregnant and lactating mothers, skin diseases at the site of the procedure, infection or inflammation. After the procedure, patients are prohibited from visiting the sauna or sauna, sunbathing, going to the swimming pools. In no case can not rip off the crust that formed in the place of the birthmark. Sometimes, if the birthmark is too large, the doctor decides to do several similar procedures.

Medications from a mole on the heel

There are several medications that doctors recommend using to some of their patients. Of particular importance are ointments and solutions. They contain medicinal herbs, so they usually fit all patients. Of course, if you think that you have a malignant melanoma, it is better to immediately seek help from a specialist and get rid of it by a surgical method.

Alternative treatment of a birthmark on the heel

When a mole on the heel begins to bother, not everyone immediately turns to doctors. Some use alternative methods for its treatment and disposal. The solution prepared from hemp and chalk oil differs high efficiency. It is worth taking the proportions 4: 1. The remedy should be infused. Then they rub their birthmark several times a day for 30 days.

To remove the mole on the heel, you can prepare a remedy for honey and linseed oil. If you rub this mixture with a birthmark three times a day, then it can be withdrawn.

Very effective in the opinion of alternative healers is an ointment from garlic. It is necessary to take a tablespoon of butter, 50 grams of honey and grind several cloves of garlic. All this is mixed, applied to a mole and sealed with adhesive tape. After four hours, be sure to wash it off.

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Herbal Treatment

The most effective medicinal herb from a birthmark on the heel is considered to be celandine. In the alternative treatment, the juice of this plant is used. To get rid of the birthmark, you need to rub it with celandine juice three times a day. You can also prepare from it ointments or solutions.

Prevention

It is very important to monitor your birthmark so that it does not cause serious illnesses. Prophylaxis of a mole on the heel includes:

  1. Self-examination of the nevus on a discoloration or size. Also a signal for going to the doctor is the appearance of a crust on the mole.
  2. It is very important to monitor the hygiene of your feet. Also try to spend more time walking.

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Forecast

Despite the fact that nevi seem to be a safe disease, they greatly affect a person's life. After removing the birthmark on the heel, you will have to monitor the amount of time spent under the ultraviolet, try not to injure the skin where there was a stain. It is very important to visit a dermatologist from time to time, who will monitor the condition of your skin. Almost all doctors believe that the mole on the heel is dangerous, so it must be removed without fail.

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