Black birthmark

Moles of black color are an accumulation of a special melanin substance, the amount of which affects the saturation and hue of the pigmented spot.

The appearance of a black birthmark often indicates health problems, so experts recommend that from time to time to inspect your body for the presence of such spots.

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Causes of the black moles

Most often, a black birthmark appears on the site of a nevus of another (usually, brown) color. This can happen for several reasons:

1. Ultraviolet rays - everyone knows that a long time in the sun is harmful to the health of the skin. Remember that in black moles there is a large number of melanocytes. They are degenerated into malignant tumor cells.
2. Changes in the hormonal background - as a rule, black moles appear on the body during puberty or during pregnancy, during menopause.
3. Injury of a birthmark - even if the nevus constantly rubs against clothes, it can lead to its darkening.

Are black birthmarks dangerous?

When the pigmentary substance accumulates in the maximum amount, the nevus can darken to black. Of course, a black birthmark always looks very unpleasant and dangerous, but this does not mean that it is reborn or has already degenerated into a malignant tumor. If the size of the nevus does not exceed 4 mm, its surface is smooth and smooth, and the shape is correct, then, most likely, there is no need to fear a serious disease.

As a rule, black moles are congenital pigment spots. Often they appear in children under 16 years of age and are not pathologies. If the nevus of black color appeared on the body of an adult, it is necessary to show it to the doctor.

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The mole became black

Black birthmarks can appear on the human body for life. This process is affected by changes that occur on the skin, as well as external factors. Not always such changes can be dangerous for your health. Sometimes changes in the appearance of moles are considered the norm.

It is worth remembering that if the mole became black very quickly, began to change its shape, size, surface, then it is necessary to visit the doctor as soon as possible. Even if the nevus eventually dried up and fell off, this does not mean that the danger of getting cancer has passed.

The red mole became black

If a black nevus appeared on its own during the adolescent period, it is not necessary to raise panic. It is much more dangerous if the red mole becomes black in a short period of time. This change may indicate that melanoma is developing.

Note that the red mole may not blacken immediately. In some patients, first black pigment spots appear inside the mole, indicating an unfavorable process occurring in the body.

Symptoms of the black moles

Not always, if the mole becomes black, this means that you develop skin cancer. Such pigmentation may be associated with changes in your hormonal background. It is worthwhile to understand that new nevi appear constantly, regardless of the age and health of the patient.

The norm is considered, if the pigmentation, which appeared in a certain place on the skin, does not change with time. If a pigmented spot of black appears on the foot or arm of the child, it should grow with the baby for the rest of his life. If you notice that the nevus grows too fast, its surface or shape changes, this may indicate the development of melanoma.

Dangerous is the fact that the blackening of a black birthmark can first be imperceptible, but then appear on it a gray or red shade. When darkening moles, you should pay special attention to such symptoms:

1. Itching of the skin.
2. Peeling nevus or skin around it.
3. Bleeding birthmarks.

Red and black birthmark

A red-black birthmark appears on the human body quite rarely. Despite its unpleasant appearance, it does not always indicate the development of skin cancer. Such nevi can be of different varieties, which differ from each other in location, the cause of appearance and other factors:

1. Nodular appearance - appears, as a rule, in a place where a blood vessel "leaves" on the surface of the skin.
2. In the shape of a cone - they protrude above the skin.
3. In the form of an asterisk - if blood vessels leave the nevus.
4. Flat - have the form of a plaque, often with impregnations of a black shade.

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Black convex birthmark

Convex birthmarks black in their properties are not much different from flat ones, but their condition needs to be more closely monitored. The fact is that such nevi are often damaged by clothing or household items, which can lead to the development of skin cancer.

Among doctors, there is an opinion that black convex birthmarks are less likely to degenerate into malignant tumors, since people observe them much more often than usual nevi.

Usually, the convex birthmarks of the black shade are larger in size, so many more harmful ultraviolet rays are attracted to them. Statistics show that in 40% of cases it is trauma or deformation of a convex birthmark that leads to melanoma.

Flat black mole

On a flat black birthmark, people usually pay little attention, because it looks safe to look at. But this does not mean that you do not need to go for regular check-ups to specialists, especially if such nevi are in frequent contact with clothing.

But it is worthwhile to understand that any mole may begin to darken for one reason or another. If this happens, you should immediately consult a doctor and take the appropriate tests.

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Black Hanging Birthmarks

Hanging neoplasms usually darken after getting injured, so you need to be extremely careful and cautious if such nevi are on your body. This happens if the blood ceases to flow to the edge of the mole after an obstruction.

Over time, a blackened hanging mole can dry and fall away by itself. But do not pull and it is better to contact a specialist who removes the nevus beforehand.

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Complications and consequences

The appearance of even black moles on the human body is considered a variant of the norm, especially if you are often under sunlight. But, if such a nevus began to appear on the abdomen or back, which are usually hidden under clothing, it is necessary to think about the possible consequences and consult a doctor.

The most dangerous thing is that any mole, which began to blacken, can be a malignant tumor.

The black birthmark fell off

Many begin to worry when the birthmarks turn black. It often happens that the darkened nevi (especially the hanging ones) eventually fall off, so patients decide not to go to the doctor. If the black birthmark fell off - this does not mean that the danger has passed. It often happens that nevuses come off, and the development of malignant neoplasm does not stop.

Symptoms of the tumor may not appear for a long time, therefore the fallen off mole should be immediately handed over for histological analysis. With its help, it will be possible to determine whether there are atypical cells in it.

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Crust on a black mole

If you notice that the black mole has become crusted, starts to itch or flake, you should immediately consult a doctor. The fact is that these symptoms are the main signs of nevus degeneration into a malignant tumor. The crust on the birthmark can be of different shades. What can a different color say?

1. A brown crust usually indicates that the nevus is scratched or injured.
2. The black crust often appears on the site of the removed mole. This is normal, as the wound begins to heal.
3. A crust of dark shade can appear after a trip to the solarium or sauna.

Regardless of the color of the crust appeared on the birthmark, whether it is dangerous or safe only a qualified doctor decides.

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The black mole is itching

Black birthmarks very often begin to itch. There are several reasons for this:

1. Irritation of the skin around the nevus from external factors - in order for the mole to stop itching, you just need to give up uncomfortable clothes.
2. The division of cells that occurs inside the mole is a more serious reason, which indicates that the nevus began to actively grow.

What to do in this case? If you just feel an unpleasant pruritus, then it can be healed with a sterile bandage soaked in a weak solution of vinegar. A dermatologist can also offer you a variety of ointments or creams.

Diagnostics of the black moles

How exactly is a black birthmark diagnosed? The first method is visual. The doctor examines the nevus, after which he can tell if he looks like a malignant tumor.

The second way is to use a special tool - dermatoscope. With its help, you can zoom in on the birthmark up to twenty times and look very carefully.

After removal of the black mole, a histological analysis is also performed, which helps to understand if it was melanoma.

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Analyzes

The main analysis, which is assigned when a malignant tumor is at the site of a black birthmark, is a histological analysis. With its help, you can examine the tissue obtained after removal of the mole to determine what type of growth and what are its main characteristics.

Histological analysis begins with a visual assessment of the biopsy specimen. The resulting material is then processed by biopsy to prepare a paraffin block. This block is cut into very thin plates, which are then painted with various dyes. Then the materials fall under a microscope.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnosis of a black birthmark is carried out with the help of a dermatoscope and is called dermatoscopy. This method is non-invasive. Thanks to the dermatoscope, you can increase any area of the skin twenty times, which allows you to consider even the deep layers of the epidermis and nevi.

Treatment of the black moles

For no reason doctors recommend not removing even black or blackened moles. Removal is carried out only in the event that the nevus is constantly injured by clothing or household items.

Do not remove the black mole yourself with vinegar or acid, as in this case you will get rid of only its upper part. Such actions can also lead to the birth of a mole in melanoma.

With positive tests, which are performed by the oncodermatologist, removal is appointed immediately. After the operation, the patient may be prescribed chemotherapy and / or radiation therapy.

If the oncology is not confirmed, but you still need to remove the black birthmark, then the operation is carried out using liquid nitrogen, a radio knife or a laser.

Medications

Hydrogen peroxide. Reduce the pigmentation of the black mole, make it less visible or even remove the nevus with conventional hydrogen peroxide. To perform this procedure, you need to either drop a small amount of the drug directly onto the birthmark, or attach a bandage soaked in hydrogen peroxide to the pigmented spot. Repeat the procedure at least three times a day for seven days. Try not to touch the surrounding nevus skin. At occurrence of any unpleasant sensations (burning, an itch, an ecdysis), treatment should be stopped and to address to the doctor.

Alternative treatment and herbal treatment

Juice celandine is a popular and proven method that helps fight black moles. In order to get rid of a nevus of black color, it is necessary to apply it three times a day (seven days) to the mole, without touching the skin around it.

If a few days to lubricate the hanging black mole with garlic juice or iodine, it will dry and fall off. To prevent the wound from becoming infected, lubricate it with special medications (Solcoseryl or D-Panthenol).

A harmless way to remove a black birthmark is raw potatoes. Cut the vegetable into slices and attach to the pigmented spot. Permanently remove the already dried potatoes and replace it with a new one.

Despite the fact that the people can find many different ways to remove unpleasant birthmarks, it is better not to experiment, but to consult a specialist.

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Prevention

If you have a pretty fair skin, it is worth choosing for a summer vacation places, closed from direct sunlight. Be sure to use special products from sunburn.

Do not forget that it's best to take sun baths until ten in the morning and after six in the evening, when the sun is not so active. Choose a cotton and loose clothing that will not rub the skin. Try not to injure the nevuses and immediately contact the dermatologist if they have begun to change.

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Forecast

With a timely diagnosis of melanoma, the prognosis is favorable. As a rule, even if the mole begins to turn black, this is not dangerous.