A mole on a stalk

Usually, the same signs as other nevi indicate that cancer is developing in a mole on a stalk: it changes shape, color, outline, begins to bleed and increases in size.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should immediately contact a doctor.

Causes stalk moles

Moles on legs can appear as a result of various factors. The main one is a genetic predisposition to their formation - the number of nevi on the body will be repeated in subsequent generations, because the information embedded in DNA can be passed on by inheritance.

Another reason for the appearance of a mole on a leg may be the effect of sun rays on the skin. With such interaction, the pigment melanin is produced, which is why new nevi appear.

The formation of moles on the skin on legs occurs in the following way - due to the effect of ultraviolet rays on the skin, it begins to produce an excess of melanin. This is why the growth of moles usually increases significantly in the summer, since at this time people are constantly in the sun, often go to the beach.

Sometimes a mole on a stalk can appear due to an infection that has entered the body from outside. For example, with an insect bite, after which a non-healing wound remains on the skin for a long time. If a person begins to further injure it by scratching and combing, thereby tearing off the drying crust, melanocytes become active and begin to group, after which they appear on the skin as a mole.

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Pathogenesis

The word hemangioma sounds quite scary, but in fact this pathology is familiar to most of us - these are the most common moles that every person has, some in greater numbers, some in fewer. They are benign tumors that form from the blood vessels of the skin.

Moles can have a variety of clinical and external symptoms, as well as pathogenesis. In addition to the skin, a mole on a stalk can appear in the brain and internal organs - this pathology is called angioma. It is also divided into many different types and subtypes - here everything depends on the symptoms, the pathological process of development of skin vessels, the dynamics of progress and growth of the tumor that has appeared, as well as how dangerous this formation is for human health and life.

So far, even modern medicine has not been able to find a comprehensive answer to the question of the cause of hemangioma, as well as how the tumor grows and develops. All this remains at the study stage.

Often such moles are congenital, so they cause great concern for parents who find them on the body of a newborn child.

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Symptoms stalk moles

A mole on a stalk in itself is not dangerous to health, but sometimes, due to some irritants, external or internal, it begins to transform into a malignant tumor.

The following types of moles should be treated with caution:

• Exceeding the size of 5mm in diameter;
• Having an uneven color (for example, it has veins or inclusions of black, gray, red color);
• Having uneven edges (irregularities, nicks, “fringe”) or irregular shape;
• In places prone to injury - on the head in the hair, on the neck, under the fasteners or straps of underwear.

It is preferable to remove nevi of this kind, because they have the potential to degenerate into melanoma.

It is imperative to consult a doctor if you notice the following symptoms on your mole:

• She was traumatized;
• Bumps, cracks, and small dents appeared on its surface;
• A crust appeared on it;
• She started bleeding;
• The mole has darkened or, on the contrary, lightened;
• The location of the mole began to itch and burn;
• She got bigger;
• A soft mole has become dense and hard, or a hard mole has become soft.

All these signs may indicate that the mole is beginning to transform into a malignant one, so it is better not to delay visiting a dermatologist.

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Are moles on a stalk dangerous?

Before answering the question of whether moles on a stalk are dangerous, you need to find out what type of mole is meant.

A mole on a leg can look like this:

• Small, no more than a few mm, in the form of a growth on the skin that has a flesh color. Such moles usually appear in the armpits and groin, on the trunk and neck. The medical name for such growths is acrochordons;
• A medium-sized, raised, bumpy mole that grows slowly and is flesh-colored or darker in color. These moles are also called acrochordons, melanocytic nevi on legs, or seborrheic keratosis.

None of these types of moles develop into cancer, but sometimes cancer cells in them can develop completely independently.

To determine exactly what type your mole is, you should consult a doctor - even a simple examination will be enough for him. If these moles bother you, he will also be able to explain how to remove them.

A mole on a thin stalk

First, it is necessary to determine what a mole on a leg is. Medicine considers 2 types of formations of this type. First, hanging moles, which can appear on the skin and exist throughout a person's life without causing him discomfort. Secondly, this is a papilloma - a viral disease that can lead to a large-scale spread of these tumors throughout the body. It is a pity, but it is almost impossible to find external differences, so only a doctor can make a diagnosis after examining the patient.

Externally, both papilloma and hanging mole look like a small formation on a stalk, slightly hanging from the body. The surface of such a mole on a thin stalk is soft in structure and uneven in shape. In general, it does not cause any discomfort to a person, although sometimes it can hurt and itch.

Nevi on legs are considered one of the most dangerous formations. They can grow in the armpits, groin, on the neck. If it is exposed to a certain effect, it can turn into a malignant tumor - for example, a mole on the neck can be injured by jewelry or a collar of clothing. And if the nevus is constantly exposed to ultraviolet rays, skin cancer can result.

Mole on a leg under the arm

Moles themselves do not have a negative impact on human health, but problems can begin after any injury - if you damage a nevus, it can turn into a big danger. A mole in the armpit area is already dangerous, since this place is often exposed to external influences. A mole on a leg very often grows in this area of the body.

Moles on the armpit stalk are dangerous because they are very easy to touch - for example, while shaving. After a mole is injured, it often begins to either swell or fester. If you notice such a process, you should immediately seek medical help. Otherwise, you can expect serious negative consequences.

A mole under the armpit is usually a serious cause for concern, so a good option would be to have it surgically removed – this way you can get rid of this problem once and for all.

Surgical removal with a scalpel is the standard method of getting rid of an annoying mole. It takes the doctor about 1 hour to completely remove a mole. The armpit is first anesthetized, and then the skin is cut with a scalpel, and the mole and a small area of healthy skin are cut out. Healthy tissue is sent along with the mole for histological analysis to make sure that there is no malignant formation there.

Complications and consequences

Typically, moles that are of concern are removed surgically. In general, such operations are considered completely safe, but in some cases, quite serious consequences and complications may occur. For example (although this is very rare), some people may experience anaphylactic shock due to the anesthetic used during the operation.

A mole on a leg grows

Most often, people do not pay much attention to their moles, especially if they do not cause any discomfort or are not in visible places. But at the same time, doctors assure that this formation cannot be called completely safe. Therefore, having noticed that a mole on a leg has begun to grow or change its color and shape, you should worry and visit a doctor, since this process may indicate the development of melanoma.

A mole on a stalk does not always grow due to degeneration into a malignant formation, sometimes it can occur as a result of an injury. Also, the cause of growth can be ultraviolet radiation, prolonged exposure to the sun, frequent visits to a solarium.

A mole can also become larger due to thyroid problems or hormonal changes – this often happens during pregnancy.

Please note that moles can grow and change over many years, so without regular monitoring, such changes may not be noticed at all. Although the growth of a nevus is not a symptom of cancer development, this process should not be ignored under any circumstances. To establish the correct diagnosis, you can do a tissue analysis of the nevus - in this case, you will know for sure whether the changes that have begun are dangerous to your health.

The mole on the leg turned black

A mole on a stalk can sometimes change its color, and sometimes only partially. For example, it can darken only in the middle, and this part will become covered with a crust, thereby creating the impression of a half-dried formation.

If your mole on a stalk has turned black and started to hurt, it may have twisted, which is why blood no longer flows into the tissue. Such moles may die after a few days and eventually simply fall off.

But, although for many the prospect of getting rid of an inconvenient mole in this way is very desirable, if the nevus is twisted, you should still go to a dermatologist. The doctor will be able to find out whether it really turned black due to torsion, and not as a result of the development of a dangerous disease, and will also be able to safely remove it completely from your body.

Nevi on a stalk most often dry out and darken. And here it is difficult to guess whether this poses a danger to human health or not. Therefore, if such a situation arises, you should contact a qualified doctor - only he will be able to identify the real cause of the blackening. So, a change in the color of a mole is already a sufficient reason to seek help.

A mole on the leg fell off

If a mole on a stalk falls off, you should immediately visit a doctor - a dermatologist or oncologist. It is necessary to consult with him, because such an action may indicate the beginning of the development of a malignant tumor. Even if after the nevus has fallen off, only a small spot remains on your skin, an experienced specialist will be able to find out whether dangerous cells remain in the tissue - he will take a small sample for histological analysis.

So, if your mole on a stalk has fallen off, you should go to the doctor for an examination, and also have the mole itself tested.

If malignant cells are found in the tissue, they must be removed surgically. And if the nature of the formation is benign, some preventive measures should be taken. Among them:

• Treat the area where the mole was with a special cream and also avoid exposing it to sunlight;
• Do not under any circumstances tear off the crust that has formed at the site of the cut – wait until it falls off on its own.

The loss of moles on the legs should not be ignored - it can lead to serious negative consequences for your health.

Diagnostics stalk moles

To find out whether a mole has undergone malignant transformations, a diagnosis must be made. During this procedure, the doctor performing it must clarify the following details:

• Determine the type of mole and find out how it can be treated;
• To detect in time when the process of nevus transformation has begun;
• Find out if additional diagnostic procedures are needed.

A patient who comes to the doctor because he is bothered by a mole on a leg undergoes a standard examination and consultation, during which the doctor finds out some details and particulars from him:

• The time of appearance of the nevus (it is very important to clarify whether it appeared with age or was present in the person from birth);
• What has the mole been doing lately – has it grown, has it changed its contours, color, or overall appearance;
• Whether the nevus has been diagnosed before, and whether it has been treated (if so, with what results). The doctor is provided with all the necessary certificates and extracts.

Next comes the examination procedure - the doctor evaluates the size, shape and location of the mole, identifies its features (for example, the presence of hair). After that, he can make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment. In some cases, additional diagnostic procedures may be prescribed to clarify the diagnosis.

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Tests

If your mole on a stalk has started to bother you, you should see a dermatologist. He will determine whether it poses a health risk, and if the answer is yes, he will perform a procedure to remove it. After that, the mole will be sent for histological analysis to find out whether it is a malignant formation.

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Instrumental diagnostics

There are several methods of instrumental diagnostics of moles. With their help, you can establish the most accurate and correct diagnosis, which will help with subsequent treatment.

Among them, the dermatoscopy procedure stands out - with its help, melanoma can be detected at a very early stage. It is carried out using a special device called a dermatoscope - a portable microscope that makes the upper layer of the skin invisible. Before the procedure, a special gel is applied to the skin, which increases its transparency. During the examination, the so-called epiluminescence effect is used, created due to the appearance of an oily medium between the device and the skin.

A mole on a stalk is carefully examined during examination, its relief, structure, contours and color are determined. After its potential danger has been assessed in a point system, the doctor can prescribe removal (if necessary).

Also, mole diagnostics can be performed using siascopy (also called spectrophotometric analysis). This is a painless procedure that allows you to scan abnormal skin formations located at a depth of no more than 2 mm and assess their condition.

An ultrasound is also done to find out how deep the mole cells have grown into the skin.

Differential diagnosis

A common mole on a stalk often rarely turns into an atypical one and transforms into melanoma. Such a change can be suspected if some symptoms of degeneration appear. Among these signs:

• uneven contours;
• mole asymmetry;
• size exceeding 6mm;
• uneven coloring;
• development of the lesion.

If symptoms such as pain in a mole, itching, bleeding or inflammation occur, or if it changes color - pigmentation is lost or increased - you need to see a specialist. He or she may prescribe a biopsy to perform a differential diagnosis and determine the cause of the changes that have appeared.

Treatment stalk moles

A mole on a stalk usually causes its owner a lot of problems, so many people prefer to get rid of it. There are several procedures that can be used to remove interfering moles.

Laser removal – using a laser, the doctor removes the mole in layers until it disappears completely. Then he cauterizes the blood vessels. This procedure does not leave any scars on the body.

During electrocoagulation, the area around the nevus is exposed to high-frequency electric current. After some time after the procedure, it dries up and falls off. A small light spot may appear after it, but it will soon disappear.

How to remove moles on a leg with surgery? Surgery is prescribed if there is an oncological threat. It is used to remove all damaged tissue and prevent the development of skin cancer.

The radio knife method is contactless. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. The mole is affected using radio waves, without damaging healthy tissues in the process. There are almost no scars after such an operation. It should be noted that such a procedure can only be performed when the nevus has clear outlines.

Liquid nitrogen removal (cryodestruction) is a rather controversial method, as nitrogen can have a negative effect if it comes into contact with healthy skin.

Medicines

A mole on a stalk can be removed using 3% oxolinic ointment. It should be smeared with this medicine every day (both the head of the mole and the stalk), and soon you will notice that the stalk has turned black.

This is considered a good sign, but the procedure should not be stopped at this point – continue to apply the ointment to the nevus until it falls off.

It should be noted that pharmacies only sell 0.25% oxolinic ointment, so the process of getting rid of a mole can be quite lengthy.

Folk remedies

A mole on a stalk is a rather dangerous formation, so it is better to get rid of it. A doctor can suggest a method of removal, but you can also use folk remedies. Among them are the following recipes:

• Celandine juice, which should be applied to the mole three times a day until it dries completely. Also, make sure that the celandine does not come into contact with healthy skin, as this can cause a burn;
• Vaseline ointment - you need to mix equal amounts of celandine and Vaseline, then smear the mole with this mixture. It will dry within a few days;
• You can also rub the mole with fresh dandelion juice. This will cause the mole to begin to decrease in size and soon disappear completely;
• Apply iodine to the nevus until it dries and falls off. You need to be very careful to avoid burning healthy tissue. In general, this option is quite risky, so it is better to consult a doctor first;
• Tie the base of the nevus with your hair - this will block the blood supply to it, as a result of which it will dry out and fall off after a few days.

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Herbal treatment

Folk remedies that can help get rid of such a formation as a mole on a leg are various herbs and tinctures made from them. Therefore, before you start using such medicines, you need to find out from herbalists their indications, as well as possible side effects and contraindications.

If you have a papilloma, try to boost your immunity, because if it is low, viruses become active, which provokes the development of this formation. Often, as a result of taking special tinctures that boost the body's immunity, the condition of the mole improves, the infection stops developing, which ultimately prevents the occurrence of papilloma.

So, herbal treatment for getting rid of moles should begin with increasing immunity. In such cases, special herbal mixtures with an immunostimulating effect are prescribed. To prepare such a mixture, you need to pour 2 tablespoons of a mixture of chopped herbs into a thermos, then pour 1 liter of boiling water over them, close and leave to infuse overnight.

The resulting tincture should be drunk throughout the day for 3 months in a dosage of 1 glass. This course should be repeated 2-3 times a year (it is best to do this in the fall and spring).

Prevention

If you do not want moles on your skin to transform into a malignant tumor, for prevention purposes you need to follow simple and clear rules:

• Try to spend less time in the sun when it is most active - between 11am and 5pm. This is especially true in the summer.
• Maintain good personal hygiene – wear clean clothes and shower daily.
• Cover nevi located in areas prone to injury with a plaster.
• Spend less time in solariums.

In general, moles are present in every person, and most of them do not pose any danger to health, but it should be taken into account that not all of them are so harmless. For example, a mole on a stalk is a rather traumatic formation, so in most cases doctors advise removing it.

To avoid the occurrence of a serious disease, you should monitor your moles, monitoring any changes. And if you notice suspicious symptoms, you should immediately contact a doctor.

Self-medication is also not worth it - do not try to remove nevi on your own, this can lead to dangerous complications.

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Forecast

A mole on a stalk is not considered a malignant formation, although in some cases it can bother its owner. If it is located in a traumatic place, it is better to remove it - this will rid you of the problem once and for all.

If such a nevus is located in a safe zone, it can be left alone. If you do not irritate this formation, then the prognosis for its development will be optimistic.

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