Black mole

Black moles are a cluster of a special substance called melanin, the amount of which affects the saturation and shade of the pigment spot.

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

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Causes black mole

Most often, a black mole appears in place of a nevus of a different (usually brown) color. This can happen for several reasons:

1. Ultraviolet rays – everyone knows that staying in the sun for a long time is harmful to the health of the skin. Remember that black moles contain a large number of melanocytes. They are the ones that degenerate into malignant tumor cells.
2. Changes in hormonal levels – as a rule, black moles appear on the body during puberty or during pregnancy, during menopause.
3. Trauma to a mole – even if the nevus constantly rubs against clothing, this can lead to its darkening.

Are black moles dangerous?

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

As a rule, black moles are congenital pigment spots. They often appear in children under 16 and are not a pathology. If a black nevus appears on the body of an adult, it is necessary to show it to a doctor.

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The mole turned black

Black moles can appear on the human body throughout life. This process is influenced by changes that occur on the skin, as well as external factors. Such changes may not always be dangerous to your health. Sometimes changes in the appearance of moles are considered normal.

It is worth remembering that if a mole turns black very quickly, begins to change its shape, size, surface, then it is necessary to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Even if the nevus dries up and falls off over time, this does not mean that the danger of getting cancer has passed.

The red mole turned black

If a black nevus appeared on its own during adolescence, there is no need to panic. It is much more dangerous if a red mole turns black in a short period of time. This change may indicate that you are developing melanoma.

Please note that a red mole may not turn black immediately. Some patients first develop black pigment spots inside the mole, which indicates an unfavorable process occurring in the body.

Symptoms black mole

Not always, if a mole turns black, it means that you are developing skin cancer. Such pigmentation may be associated with changes in your hormonal background. It is worth understanding that new nevi appear constantly, regardless of the patient's age and health.

It is considered normal if pigmentation that has appeared in a certain place on the skin does not change over time. If a child has a black pigment spot on his leg or arm, it should grow with the baby throughout his life. If you notice that the nevus is growing too quickly, its surface or shape is changing, this may indicate the development of melanoma.

The dangerous fact is that the darkening of a black mole may not be noticeable at first, but then gray or red specks appear on it. When a mole darkens, you should pay special attention to the following symptoms:

1. Itchy skin.
2. Peeling of the nevus or the skin around it.
3. Bleeding mole.

Red and black mole

A red-black mole 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 types, which differ from each other in location, cause of appearance and other factors:

1. Nodular type - usually appears in the place where a blood vessel “comes out” onto the surface of the skin.
2. In the form of a bump - they protrude above the skin.
3. In the form of an asterisk - if blood vessels extend from the nevus.
4. Flat - have the shape of a plaque, often with black inclusions.

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Black raised mole

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

There is an opinion among doctors that black convex moles are less likely to degenerate into malignant tumors, since people monitor them much more often than ordinary nevi.

Typically, convex black birthmarks are larger in size, so they attract much more harmful ultraviolet rays. Statistics show that in 40% of cases, it is the injury or deformation of a convex birthmark that leads to melanoma.

Flat black mole

People usually pay little attention to a flat black mole, as it looks harmless. But this does not mean that you do not need to go to specialists for regular check-ups, especially if such nevi often come into contact with clothing.

But it is worth understanding that any mole can start 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 moles

Hanging growths usually darken after injury, so you need to be extremely careful and cautious if you have such nevi on your body. This happens if, after a tear, blood stops flowing to the edge of the mole.

Over time, a blackened hanging mole may dry out and fall off on its own. But don't delay and it's better to contact a specialist in advance who will remove the nevus.

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Complications and consequences

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

The most dangerous thing is that any mole that begins to turn black may turn out to be a malignant tumor.

A black mole fell off

Many people start to worry when moles turn black. It often happens that darkened nevi (especially hanging ones) fall off over time, so patients decide not to go to the doctor. If a black mole falls off, this does not mean that the danger has passed. It often happens that nevi come off, but the development of a malignant neoplasm does not stop.

Symptoms of a tumor may not appear for a long time, so the fallen mole should be immediately submitted 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 a black mole has become crusted, itchy or flaky, you should see a doctor immediately. The fact is that these symptoms are the main signs of the degeneration of a nevus into a malignant tumor. The crust on a mole can be of different shades. What can different colors mean?

1. A brown crust usually indicates that the nevus has been scratched or injured.
2. A black crust often appears at the site of a removed mole. This is normal as the wound begins to heal.
3. A dark crust may appear after visiting a solarium or sauna.

Regardless of the color of the crust that appears on the mole, only a qualified doctor can decide whether it is dangerous or safe.

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Black mole itches

Black moles often start to itch. There are several reasons for this:

1. Skin irritation around the nevus from external factors - in order for the mole to stop itching, you just need to give up uncomfortable clothing.
2. Cell division that occurs inside the mole is a more serious reason, which indicates that the nevus has begun to grow actively.

What to do in this case? If you just feel an unpleasant itch, you can relieve it with a sterile bandage soaked in a weak vinegar solution. A dermatologist can also offer you various ointments or creams.

Diagnostics black mole

How exactly is a black mole diagnosed? The first method is visual. The doctor examines the nevus, after which he can say whether it looks like a malignant tumor.

The second method is to use a special tool – a dermatoscope. With its help, you can enlarge the image of a mole up to twenty times and examine it very carefully.

After removing a black mole, a histological analysis is also performed, which helps to understand whether it was a melanoma.

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Tests

The main test that is prescribed when there is a risk of a malignant tumor at the site of a black mole is a histological analysis. With its help, it is possible to examine the tissue obtained after the mole is removed to determine what type of neoplasm it is and what its main characteristics are.

Histological analysis begins with a visual assessment of the biopsy. The resulting material is then processed using a biopsy to obtain a paraffin block. This block is cut into very thin slices, which are then stained with various dyes. The materials are then placed under a microscope.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnostics of a black mole is carried out using a dermatoscope and is called dermatoscopy. This method is non-invasive. Thanks to the dermatoscope, any area of the skin can be enlarged twenty times, which allows you to examine even the deep layers of the epidermis and nevi.

Treatment black mole

Doctors do not recommend removing even black or blackened moles without reason. Removal is carried out only if the nevus is constantly injured by clothing or household items.

You should not remove a black mole yourself using vinegar or acid, as this will only remove the top part of the mole. Such actions can also lead to the mole degenerating into melanoma.

If the tests performed by the onco-dermatologist are positive, the removal is prescribed immediately. After the operation, the patient may be prescribed chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

If oncology is not confirmed, but the black mole still needs to be removed, then the operation is performed using liquid nitrogen, a radio knife or a laser.

Medicines

Hydrogen peroxide. You can reduce the pigmentation of a black mole, make it less noticeable, or even remove the nevus using regular hydrogen peroxide. To perform this procedure, you must either drip a small amount of the product directly onto the mole or apply 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 skin surrounding the nevus. If any unpleasant sensations appear (burning, itching, peeling), stop treatment and consult a doctor.

Traditional and herbal medicine

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

If you lubricate a hanging black mole with garlic juice or iodine for several days, it will dry out and fall off. To prevent infection from getting into the resulting wound, lubricate it with special preparations (Solcoseryl or D-Panthenol).

A fairly harmless way to remove a black mole is raw potato. Cut the vegetable into circles and apply to the pigmented spot. Constantly remove the already dried potato and replace it with a new one.

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

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Prevention

If you have fairly light skin, you should choose summer vacation spots that are protected from direct sunlight. Be sure to use special sunscreens.

Remember that it is best to sunbathe before ten in the morning and after six in the evening, when the sun is not so active. Choose cotton and loose clothing that will not rub your skin. Try not to injure nevi and immediately contact a dermatologist if they begin to change.

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Forecast

If melanoma is diagnosed early, the prognosis is favorable. As a rule, even if a mole begins to turn black, it is not dangerous.