Do moles need to be removed?

In recent years, doctors around the world have begun to notice that the number of skin cancer patients is constantly growing. In addition, this disease is increasingly diagnosed not only in older people, but also in young people. The medical community is trying to find new ways to combat malignant tumors. As is known, nevi or moles are one of the causes of melanoma. That is why the question constantly arises: are nevi so dangerous? Should moles be removed or not?

[ 1 ]

Is it necessary to remove moles and by what method?

Before answering the question "should moles be removed?", you need to gather all the available information about your nevus. First, you should remember that there are several types of moles:

• Hemangiomas or vascular nevi – these are hanging nodes that are attached to the skin. They are pink or red in color. They are usually not removed.
• Non-vascular moles – can have different shapes and shades. Sometimes they are confused with warts, so you should first consult a doctor.
• The most common type is considered to be "lenguito" - they are formed from special cells called melanocytes. They are not removed or hidden from direct sunlight.
• Convex moles are located in the middle layer of the epidermis. They can reach a size of 1 centimeter. Their surface can be smooth or bumpy. Sometimes with hair.
• Blue nevi - rise above the skin, have no hairs, are quite dense and smooth. They can be up to 2 centimeters in diameter. They often appear on the buttocks, legs or arms, and on the face. It is not recommended to remove such moles.
• Giant moles of giant size are a congenital disease that takes up a large area of skin. It is unpleasant if located on the arms or neck. They often degenerate into melanomas. Statistics say that 50% of all nevi of this type cause problems.

Whether moles need to be removed is determined by how they behave. If it changes, becomes darker or lighter, grows, increases, you should immediately go to the doctor. When a nevus does not bother you, you should not even think about surgical intervention. It happens that a mole is in such a place that it constantly rubs against clothing. Then you can ask the doctor to get rid of it.

Today, there are several methods by which moles are removed. First, you need to find out all the information about each of them and only then choose.

Surgical excision. An old and proven treatment, it has the following features:

• The method is quite effective. It allows you to get rid of a mole once and for all.
• Safe for human health.
• There are almost no relapses, due to the fact that all problematic cells are removed.
• There are no contraindications.
• Post-operative scars are easily and quickly removed.

Laser excision. It is considered the most popular method today. It is distinguished by the fact that it is completely painless, and there are no scars left after it. It is also worth noting that bacteria are completely killed during laser surgery, which reduces the recovery period. There are no scars, since the instrument does not interact with the skin in any way. The procedure is quick - it takes a maximum of 10 minutes. Sometimes local anesthesia can be done if the patient so desires. After the operation, the skin may turn slightly red, but this quickly passes.

Cryo method. During this procedure, liquid nitrogen is used, which helps to freeze the nevus. This helps to completely destroy the cells, after which the doctor removes them. The procedure takes no more than a few minutes. Just a few weeks, and you will forget about the mole.

[ 2 ]

Is it necessary to remove moles on the body?

Moles on the body appear immediately after birth. As a rule, there may be no more than ten of them. During life, the number of nevi may increase or decrease. Usually, they look like a small pigment spot that does not bother its owner in any way. But if a mole begins to increase in size without reason, it means that it has entered an active state. In this case, it is very important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Dysplastic nevi (those that change their shape, color, size) degenerate into malignant tumors. As a rule, the transformation does not occur immediately, but takes from five to ten years. If you remove a nevus, this is considered skin cancer prevention.

When should you see a doctor?

• If a mole on the body has become much larger than before.
• When a nevus has uneven edges or a “ragged” shape.
• If a mole becomes multi-colored.
• When the formation increases to 5 mm.
• If there is itching or irritation at the site of the nevus.

Should moles on the neck be removed?

The appearance of moles in the neck area brings not only additional discomfort, but also causes quite serious problems. Dermatologists believe that hemangiomas, which grow from blood vessels, cause special problems. Such hanging moles are often damaged during shaving or even just by scratching. If this happens, immediately cauterize the formation with hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green or alcohol.

The neck is also an exposed part of the body, often exposed to direct sunlight. You can also rub the nevus on the neck with clothing, especially shirt collars.

When should you see a dermatologist?

• If the nevus is larger than 1 centimeter.
• When a mole starts to grow rapidly.
• If it starts bleeding.
• When the color of a mole changes.
• When the formation began to peel.
• The hairs that were growing in the nevus suddenly fell out.
• When the shape of a nevus changes.
• When a mole starts to itch.

[ 3 ]

Should moles on the face be removed?

Even if you have a mole on your face, it does not necessarily mean that it will cause health problems. Sometimes the body reacts this way to certain life factors. It is worth seeing a doctor if moles on the face appear very often and in large numbers. Moreover, such formations do not beautify your skin at all. You can visit a dermatologist, but it is best to immediately contact an oncologist. It is very important to be on the safe side. After examining and diagnosing the formation, the doctor gives his recommendations on whether moles on the face need to be removed.

If you experience the following symptoms, make an appointment immediately:

• The nevus on my face started to hurt.
• Peeling and severe itching appeared.
• The appearance or color of the mole has begun to change.
• Its shape changes.

Should large moles be removed?

A mole is a kind of skin defect that can become a malignant tumor at some point. Many people often ask themselves: should large moles be removed? This should be done if the doctor recommends this method of treatment. Large nevi, as a rule, greatly interfere with normal life: they often rub against clothing, have an unpleasant appearance, and hairs can grow on them.

Should hanging moles be removed?

Hanging moles are always benign tumors that grow from the epithelium. They look like a small nodule that grows from the skin. Such a mole is uneven in texture. Most often, it is colorless, but sometimes it can have a dark shade. Such nevi need to be monitored very carefully, as they often degenerate.

If a hanging mole is located on the neck, it may come off while wearing clothes. If the nevus is injured, you need to immediately treat the formation and stop the bleeding. Also, make sure that ultraviolet light does not fall on the mole.

Sometimes such moles appear under the armpits. It is very important to monitor them, as sweat glands are located there. If such a nevus is damaged, microbes can grow there.

Hanging moles in the groin area are especially inconvenient, especially for women. They often shave the bikini area, so the nevus can be easily injured. Stop the bleeding and treat the wound.

To prevent problems, you should see a doctor to have the hanging mole examined. They are usually removed.