A pimple on a mole

Moles are new growths that can be harmless, but sometimes dangerous. But should you worry if a pimple appears on a mole? This question is especially worrisome when pain and discomfort are felt in the area of the birthmark due to inflammation.

What do you need to know about such a situation, and what is the right thing to do to avoid harming your health?

Causes a pimple on a mole

Acne tends to appear on any area of the skin that has sebaceous ducts (pores in the skin). This means that a pimple can appear anywhere except the feet and palmar surfaces. If a sebaceous gland duct passes through a mole, an acne can form there too. This happens when the duct is blocked, which can happen under the influence of the following factors:

• in case of hormonal imbalance, in case of a sharp change in hormonal status (for example, in pregnant women, in teenagers, before the onset of menstruation or during menopause, or while taking hormonal drugs);
• when the surface of a mole becomes denser due to microtrauma or age-related keratinization of cells;
• if a mole is irritated, contaminated, or if an inflammatory process occurs in the sebaceous duct;
• after an insect bite, which is accompanied by a slight swelling of the surface of the mole;
• in case of excessive sebum secretion.

The pathogenesis of a pimple on a mole is simple: the sebaceous duct becomes blocked (by secretions or external factors - dust or dirt), a kind of plug is formed in the lumen of the duct. If an infection gets into the duct, inflammation develops, which serves as an impetus for the appearance of a pimple - an inflammatory formation with purulent or serous contents.

Symptoms a pimple on a mole

The clinical symptoms of acne that grow inside a mole are varied. Most often, acne affects birthmarks located on areas of the skin with a large number of sebaceous ducts - this is the area of the back, face or chest.

The first signs of a growing pimple are the appearance of a painful infiltrate inside the nevus. At first, the compaction looks like a cone-shaped nodule (papule) of a red hue. Over time, the inflammatory reaction increases, the nodule increases in size, and in its center a pustule with white contents (pustule) becomes visible.

After some time, the pimple opens, the pus comes out, and a crust forms on the surface. After the crust falls off, a small scar may remain, but often it is completely invisible.

The entire process of pimple appearance and regression can take about one week.

Is a white pimple on a mole considered dangerous?

In the vast majority of cases, the appearance of a white pimple on a mole is not associated with oncopathology. Only occasionally can one suspect malignant degeneration of a nevus: in this case, the appearance of the mole changes, a certain discomfort appears, and pimples can appear in this place quite often. A biopsy of the modified formation will unmistakably indicate melanoma.

If such symptoms occur and the mole raises suspicions, then the best solution would be to consult a dermatologist. Do not forget that any formation on the skin, be it a birthmark or something else, requires special attention, and especially if there are any changes in it.

Observe the mole for a few days. If the pimple has not gone away and the condition of the spot continues to bother you, do not hesitate, consult a doctor.

Complications and consequences

Is it possible to squeeze a pimple on a mole? Will this not lead to complications?

It is generally not recommended to squeeze pimples, regardless of where exactly they are located. It is especially undesirable to squeeze pimples located on a mole. The fact is that when pressing, the inflammatory process can go along the periphery and into the depths of the tissues. When the process moves into the subcutaneous fat layer, an abscess develops, which often increases to a significant purulent focus. Necrosis can form in the depths.

All of the above complications can have a negative impact on the mole itself. A strong inflammatory process damages the tissue of the birthmark, which increases in size, swells, and becomes painful. At the same time, the risk of malignant degeneration increases several times.

You may suspect something is wrong in the following cases:

• if a mole has changed its color;
• if a dark or light rim appears around the mole;
• if the mole has become asymmetrical;
• if pimples appear on a mole constantly and in large quantities.

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Diagnostics a pimple on a mole

When a patient suffering from a pimple on a mole seeks medical help, the doctor conducts an examination and determines whether there is a pathology. If the doctor does not see any reason for concern, this is usually the end of the appointment. If the mole has raised suspicions, the patient is prescribed a biopsy. This procedure is carried out in several ways: the choice of method depends on the area where the suspicious mole is located.

After the biopsy, the results will indicate whether the birthmark is malignant or not. If the diagnosis of melanoma is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe other tests, the purpose of which is to clarify the characteristics of the tumor and more accurately determine the most optimal treatment method.

Instrumental diagnostics may include examination of smears that the doctor takes from the surface of the mole. Using a microscope, he determines the cellular composition and nature of the cells. It is also possible to use fluorescent microscopy, dermatoscopy and blood analysis for tumor markers.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is carried out with melanoma and basal cell carcinoma of the skin.

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Treatment a pimple on a mole

The most important principle to remember when a pimple appears on a mole: do not squeeze it under any circumstances.

Firstly, such an action can aggravate the inflammation and provoke its spread into deep tissues.

Secondly, any violation of the integrity of the tissues of the birthmark increases the chances of malignant degeneration.

From this we can conclude what to do if a pimple appears on a mole:

• do not squeeze it out or cauterize it;
• wait until the inflammatory nodule resolves on its own;
• see a doctor and dispel all your worries.

In what case is it recommended to resort to treatment of a pimple on a mole? All treatment measures can be aimed at preventing infection of the inflamed element and accelerating healing.

Medicines that ensure cleanliness and disinfection of the surface of the mole:

• boric alcohol is an antiseptic that is used to wash the mole twice a day - in the morning and at night;
• Alcohol solution of iodine is an antimicrobial drug that is applied pointwise to the top of the pimple. It is not recommended to treat the entire birthmark with iodine;
• Ugrin is a herbal tincture consisting of natural ingredients, which is used to treat a pimple on a mole 2-3 times a day.

Homeopathy also offers its own preparations for eliminating inflammatory elements on the skin:

• Arnica-Heel – used for any inflammatory processes in the body;
• Belladonna-Homaccord - helps with boils, carbuncles and purulent pimples;
• Calendula-Salbe-Heel - used for long-healing wounds;
• Cutis compositum – stimulates the immune system, including at the local level, helping to get rid of acne of various localizations.

Surgical treatment is used for any moles that are dangerous and close to becoming cancerous. It is also recommended to remove any moles that are larger than 0.6 cm in diameter.

Removal can be done in any convenient way:

• surgically;
• laser method;
• by cryodestruction method (using liquid nitrogen);
• by electrocoagulation (cauterization) method;
• using radio waves.

The necessity and choice of the method of removal is determined by the doctor, taking into account the properties of the mole: its size, location, etc.

Folk treatment of a pimple on a mole

Folk remedies for acne treatment are most often based on the use of plants, which can be used alone or in mixtures. Most often, herbs with anti-inflammatory activity are suitable for this purpose. These are calendula, sage, St. John's wort, chamomile, celandine, and other plants.

• Elecampane herb (1 tbsp.) is poured with 250 ml of boiling water and infused until cool. A cotton pad is moistened in the infusion and the problem area is treated.
• Wipe the pimple with freshly squeezed plantain juice.
• Prepare an infusion of chamomile flowers (1 tbsp. per 250 ml of water). Wipe the pimple in the morning and at night.
• Brew a mixture of chamomile flowers, mint leaves and green tea. Wipe the skin with the infusion in the morning and evening.
• Prepare a medicinal lotion: pour 1 tbsp. of mint leaves with 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, filter. Add 1 tbsp. of boric acid, 1 tbsp. of calendula infusion and the same amount of fresh lemon juice to the infusion. Wipe the area with the pimple with the resulting lotion twice a day.

Herbal treatment can be combined with other household methods:

• lubricate the area with a pimple with a small amount of toothpaste;
• apply a thick solution of baking soda to the surface.

It is not recommended to cauterize the pimple, as this can cause damage to the tissue of the mole, which is unsafe.

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Prevention

• Follow hygienic rules for skin care.
• Monitor the hormonal balance in the body, periodically visit a doctor and take tests.
• Monitor your diet, avoid fatty, sweet and smoked foods.
• Get rid of bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Avoid traumatizing moles.

If, despite all the methods of prevention, a pimple on a mole still appears, then there is no need to panic. Use any of the listed methods of treatment, and the inflammatory element will disappear on its own within a week.

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Forecast

As a rule, the prognosis for common acne is positive in most cases.

If there is no cure, the inflammatory process has not ended, and the pain has increased, then a consultation with a dermatologist is mandatory. It may be necessary to remove not only the pimple on the mole, but the mole itself.