Red dots on a mole

Moles (medical name – pigmented nevi) are accumulations of melanin, benign formations on the human body.

They occur throughout life and do not pose a danger - until some transformations begin, for example, red dots appear on a mole.

Causes red dots on the mole

The main reasons for the appearance of red dots on a mole are:

• accidental damage by external factors;
• malignant degeneration.

Any change in a mole should alert and motivate a person to consult a dermatologist or oncologist, as it signals a threat to health.

Moles with a stalk are more often injured. Genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, and age-related features are important.

Other unhealthy changes may also appear on moles - bleeding, itching, peeling, the appearance of a rim, cyanosis or redness. You cannot scratch this place, to alleviate the condition, it is recommended to apply a cold compress. Bleeding should be treated and covered with a sterile bandage. And in all cases, go to the clinic immediately.

The cause of flesh-colored spots may be papillomaviruses. They are recommended to be removed, although they usually do not degenerate into cancer.

If a mole turns red gradually and imperceptibly, as a person ages, this process should not cause alarm.

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Pathogenesis

Some experts figuratively compare a mole to an iceberg. If the top changes, then some processes are happening deep inside: the skin formation is growing, and this is definitely bad.

• Growing deep into the skin, malignant cells grow into the blood and lymphatic vessels; they begin to spread along the bed and enter the lymphatic system, bones, liver, brain, where metastases are formed.

If a mole has changed and soon returns to its previous state in appearance, it most likely does not pose a threat. But it would be a good idea to show it to a specialist.

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Symptoms red dots on the mole

Malignant formations, which can transform Red dots on a mole, usually look somewhat different from benign ones, and stand out on the skin. This is what melanoma looks like, which is especially dangerous because it quickly metastasizes throughout the body.

Experts have combined the symptoms characteristic of melanoma into a diagnostic formula called AKORD:

• Asymmetry.
• The edge is uneven, ragged, and jagged.
• The coloring is uneven, with colored inclusions and veins.
• Size – a diameter of more than six millimeters is considered dangerous, and if there are four or more such formations, the person falls into the risk group.
• Dynamics – development of changes in the edge, color, shape, size, as well as bleeding, formation of scales signal danger.

However, deviations are possible, therefore, when determining the quality of moles, clarifying diagnostics are used.

The massive and sudden appearance of red dots on a mole is a good reason to visit a skin clinic or an oncologist's office.

A less dangerous symptom is the presence of hairs on a mole. Such moles are less prone to degeneration.

The appearance of red dots on a mole during pregnancy

Some features of nevi in women have been noted: for example, during puberty and menopause, old moles grow more intensively and new ones form.

During the period of preparation for motherhood and breastfeeding, on the contrary, no physiological changes in moles occur.

• Therefore, the appearance of red dots on a mole during pregnancy or lactation should be a reason to see a doctor.

Complications and consequences

The consequences of surgical removal of a mole are manifested by pain of varying intensity. They are eliminated by painkillers, which should be prescribed by a specialist.

The wound does not require special care until the stitches are removed (7th – 10th day). Only ointments are used for healing and preventing scars.

Aftercare consists of not disturbing the wound and the area around it unnecessarily:

• do not wash;
• do not apply cosmetics;
• Do not pick off the crust prematurely: it should fall off on its own;
• protect from the sun with a cloth bandage or adhesive tape.

After surgery, complete healing takes two to three weeks. Other methods are more gentle, and healing occurs somewhat faster.

Red dots on a mole are potentially dangerous, such moles must be removed. Sometimes complications arise after removal:

• infection of the surgical site;
• the appearance of pain, burning;
• seam divergence;
• formation of a keloid scar.

Infection with pathogenic bacteria causes inflammation and suppuration of the wound, increased pain and divergence of the edges of the skin. A rare but possible consequence is divergence of the sutures.

Postoperative traces disappear over time. Ointments promote proper healing and should be used according to the advice of the specialist who performed the operation.

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Diagnostics red dots on the mole

The diagnosis of red dots on a mole is carried out by an oncodermatologist. The diagnosis is determined based on:

• anamnesis,
• inspection,
• symptoms,
• analyzes.

The following instrumental methods are used:

• digital dermatoscopy,
• biopsy.

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Tests

Tests are prescribed when surgical removal of a mole with red dots is required:

• general blood test;
• biochemical blood test;
• urine analysis.

The test results inform the doctor about the patient’s health status, the functioning of important organs, and help in prescribing postoperative care.

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Instrumental diagnostics

The latest word in diagnostics is a computerized epiluminescent system (the device examines processes deep in the red dots on a mole without harming it). Doubtful places in terms of malignancy are covered with a special oil and examined in good lighting.

The dermatoscope magnifies the image many times and displays it on the monitor, helping the specialist to objectively evaluate all indicators. The procedure allows for subsequent monitoring of the condition and prevention of other moles.

For an accurate diagnosis, a proven method is used - a biopsy that determines the presence (or absence) of malignant tumors. Two types of biopsy are used: puncture and total excisional.

• In the first case, the procedure is performed with a special needle, under local anesthesia. A small amount of material is taken for analysis.
• Another type combines histological diagnostics and a treatment procedure, that is, the questionable mole is removed in this way.

If melanoma is suspected, additional examination methods are used (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI).

Differential diagnosis

Moles, including those with red dots, should be differentiated from

• melanomas,
• basal cell skin cancer.

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Treatment red dots on the mole

A mole should be removed to prevent a cancerous tumor if red spots appear on the mole, as well as other symptoms, when it:

• turns red sharply;
• increases;
• swells;
• bleeding;
• starts to hurt.

There are several methods for removing moles:

• electrocoagulation;

The skin lesion is cauterized with electric current. The method is quick, bloodless, and painless; a crust forms after the procedure.

• surgical method;

The melanoma and the healthy skin around it are cut out; the wound heals under an antiseptic dressing, and a scar remains after the operation.

• laser removal;

The manipulation is accompanied by moderate pain and minimal blood loss; it leaves no scars.

• cryodestruction;

Cold exposure is a quick, gentle, bloodless method; the wound heals under the crust, leaving no trace.

• The radio wave method is effective and non-traumatic, suitable for small moles (not often used due to lack of instruments).

A specialist chooses a specific method, taking into account all indications and contraindications. Practice shows that the procedure is best performed in a clinic, not a beauty salon, based on preliminary examinations. It is important to completely remove dangerous tissues so that the mole does not grow back. The material is subject to histological examination for malignancy.

Medicines

Healthy moles do not need to be treated. When red dots appear on a mole, surgical methods, folk remedies and pharmaceuticals are used for treatment.

• An effective preparation for external use is considered to be the herbal ointment "Stefalin". It painlessly removes altered moles and melanomas, does not cause unwanted effects and does not leave scars.

In case of tumors of moles, anti-cancer agents are used.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine also considers red spots on a mole to be a cause for concern and recommends removing them. There are at least two traditional medicine methods:

• acid cauterization;
• tying with thread.

Birthmarks are burned with vinegar essence. The procedure is repeated daily for two weeks. If necessary, the treatment is repeated after the same period. Between procedures, the birthmark is protected from infection with a bandage.

The method is considered reliable, but has a significant drawback - severe pain. The positive is that there are no defects left on the skin.

You can also cauterize nevi with less aggressive substances - lemon, garlic, onion juice, as well as hydrogen peroxide, iodine, baking soda, honey. A very gentle way is to lubricate with linseed, castor oils, after which the moles gradually decrease and disappear.

• Bandaging a mole, at first glance, is a harmless procedure, but far from safe. After such an intervention, rapid degeneration is provoked; removing the "tip of the iceberg" does not give confidence that it will not grow again, in a more dangerous form.

The use of traditional methods in treatment is allowed, but the examination and decision on removal should be made by a specialist.

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Herbal treatment

Traditional medicine uses herbal treatment at home. Celandine is considered the most effective for removing moles with red dots: juice, tincture, ointments based on the plant.

• Fresh juice from the stems and leaves is applied to the red spots on the mole two to three times a day.
• The tincture is made with alcohol: 100 g of leaves are kept in a dark place for two weeks, filtered and taken 10-12 drops three times a day.
• The ointment is made on the basis of baby cream or pork fat. Young leaves are used (1 part of raw material to 2 parts of base) or celandine juice (1:4).
• To make the oil, grind the dry raw material, insist on vegetable oil for a week (in a dark place). Lubricate the mole for a month, two to three times a day.

Some healers advise using garlic and cauliflower for this purpose. There is information about the usefulness of the poisonous plant aconite, which is popularly called wrestler (and many more synonyms), an unpleasant-tasting substance creolin with milk. They are used according to a special scheme.

Read also: Removing moles at home

Medicinal herbs require patience and perseverance from the patient during treatment, but they also have advantages: they do not cause pain, do not cause side effects and do not leave traces.

Prevention

Usually there is nothing extra on the skin of a newborn, although there may be individual birthmarks. Most brown formations of different shades and intensities appear or manifest themselves at different periods of life, depending on the intensity of solar radiation and hereditary predisposition to neoplasms.

Prevention of the appearance of red dots on a mole consists of carefully and attentively treating all formations that are on the skin and all changes that occur on these formations. By protecting a mole from mechanical and other damage, a person significantly reduces possible risks.

If you have multiple moles, massage, strong showers, or intense exercise on exercise machines are not recommended.

• The main risk factor is sun rays. In summer, it is important to avoid active sun, which provokes the appearance of red spots and other changes on moles. Direct ultraviolet rays are especially dangerous in July - August at midday: from 12 to 15 hours (in the south - from 11 to 16).

You cannot protect skin lesions from the sun using a patch: this provokes inflammatory processes and undesirable consequences.

On the beach, you should remember that you can also get a tan in the water (the sun penetrates a whole meter into the water), and water droplets on the skin, like lenses, strongly attract ultraviolet radiation.

In winter or in the off-season, tanning lovers, especially red-haired, blonde and brown-haired people, should not overuse the solarium.

Chemicals used at home or in production have an adverse effect on moles.

Nevi cannot be cauterized or removed in any other way on your own.

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Forecast

The most important thing in the prognosis of red dots on a mole is a timely diagnosis and qualified intervention. The main factor in making a prognosis is the thickness of the formation: the thinner it is, the more effective the treatment. The prognosis also depends on the location of the mole, age and health of the patient.

Modern techniques allow removing a minimal amount of healthy tissue along with the mole at early stages. In more complex cases, it is necessary to remove adjacent lymph nodes. At later stages, immunotherapy is prescribed, and if the disease has spread to distant nodes and other organs, chemotherapy is prescribed.

Many foreigners, who are brought up from childhood to be responsible for their own health, pay special attention to skin lesions at least once a year. And when they discover changes, such as red spots on moles, they sound the alarm in time. Unfortunately, we lack such a culture, so the state of affairs in this area is many times worse. Explanatory work by doctors and a more conscientious attitude on the part of citizens will help improve both treatment and statistics.

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