A white spot around a mole

White spots around a mole appear quite often and many people do not pay attention to such pigmentation.

But such changes do not lead to anything good, since it is very important to monitor any transformations.

Causes a white spot around the mole

When new nevi appear on a person's body, this is associated with an increase in the amount of melanin in the cells. But what are the causes of white spots around moles?

1. Heredity – if parents have had white pigmentation around moles during their lives, their children will most likely also have such changes.
2. Exposure to ultraviolet rays – if you often visit a solarium or sunbathe on the beach, be prepared for such phenomena. Do not forget about protecting your skin, always take sunscreens, wide-brimmed hats, glasses with you.
3. Hormonal imbalances – this usually occurs in teenagers, pregnant women, and during menopause. Doctors also include frequent stress and certain illnesses in this category.

Remember that the appearance of a white spot around a nevus does not always indicate its degeneration into a malignant tumor. But if you do have a white halo, you should immediately consult a dermatologist.

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Pathogenesis

First of all, you need to know that doctors distinguish several types of white halos that can sometimes appear in any person near a nevus:

1. Sutton's nevus is a common mole that is surrounded by a dark-colored area of skin. Usually, such areas are irregular in shape. If moles are located very close to each other, their halos sometimes merge. Such pigmentations are not associated with melanoma, but there is always a certain percentage that they will develop into malignant tumors. As a rule, such nevi appear in teenagers.
2. Nevus of Setton - despite the similar name to the previous pigment spot, it looks completely different. Usually, such moles are surrounded by small "islands" of light skin. Their size is small (rarely exceeds one centimeter). Such a mole can disappear on its own, but it must be carefully monitored.
3. Vitiligo - often such a concept as complete whitening of the skin is combined with the appearance of white spots around moles.

White spots around nevi appear gradually, so often the patient does not even notice this change. Sometimes the place begins to itch, so the skin near the mole may peel. These symptoms alone should alert you and make you make an appointment with a specialist. As a rule, this happens with those nevi that are located in problem areas (elbows, heels, shins, etc.).

If the appearance of white spots is associated with stressful situations, then sometimes they can darken again. Of course, this happens over time.

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Symptoms a white spot around the mole

The most common symptoms of white spots around moles are:

1. Constant itching that forces a person to scratch the affected area.
2. Peeling of the skin around the nevus.
3. Gradual disappearance of pigment around a mole.
4. Sometimes painful sensations may occur.

If the spot is completely flat, there is no need to worry. This indicates that the nevus has not degenerated into a malignant tumor. If the spot begins to change over time (grow, darken, swell), you should immediately undergo an examination.

White spot around mole after tanning

Many of us know that sunbathing in the summer without special protection is not worth it. Ultraviolet radiation can lead to the appearance of more new moles on your body, as well as changes in the existing ones.

White spots around a nevus often begin to develop after prolonged exposure to the sun or a solarium. This is because ultraviolet radiation causes cells to produce less melanin. That is why you should always try to protect areas with protruding or lightened moles with clothing, sprays or sunscreens.

White spot around mole and itching

Itching of a mole always indicates quite serious complications. And if the skin around the nevus has also become lighter or whiter, then you should immediately contact a specialist who can make an accurate diagnosis. Itching is also unpleasant because it makes a person constantly scratch, the skin begins to peel heavily, wounds, pinpoint hemorrhages and abrasions may appear.

In addition, it is worth noting that the appearance of itching and white spots around the birthmark indicate inflammation of the birthmark. To cure it, you can use various ointments with an anti-inflammatory effect (the composition may include salicylic acid, zinc, antibiotics, hormonal substances).

White spot around a mole in a child

It is in children during adolescence that moles are most often surrounded by white spots. This is explained by the fact that a hormonal imbalance occurs in the child's body. Skin color changes can also occur for other reasons, most often hereditary. It is very important to carefully protect the baby's skin from exposure to sunlight.

Complications and consequences

Usually, such white spots do not mean that some serious changes are taking place in the human body. But it is still necessary to show a mole that has begun to lighten in a circle to a doctor. If the structure of the nevus, its shape or size changes, this should alert the patient. This fact may indicate the development of melanoma.

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Diagnostics a white spot around the mole

The most popular diagnostic method that allows you to find out whether a mole has begun to degenerate into a malignant tumor is histological analysis. To perform it, the doctor takes a small amount of tissue around the nevus and sends it for examination. This method allows you to quickly find out whether the nevus is melanoma or not.

Instrumental diagnostics

The most common method of instrumental diagnostics is dermatoscopy. This type of diagnostics does not involve surgical intervention. It can be used to diagnose melanoma at the early stages of its development. Using a special device (dermatoscope), the doctor can see all the main signs that are characteristic of malignant tumors.

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Treatment a white spot around the mole

Today, treatment of white spots is only possible with the help of surgical intervention, since it is necessary only if the nevus has begun to degenerate into melanoma.

1. Removing a mole with a laser is a safe and virtually bloodless method that has almost no risk of complications.
2. Heat exposure – this method has a very important drawback: adjacent tissues can get quite a severe burn.
3. Radio wave removal – the method involves the evaporation of cellular structures.
4. Surgery using cold nitrogen – ultra-low temperatures help to completely destroy the tissue of the nevus.
5. Excision of a nevus with a scalpel - the disadvantage is the fact that a scar remains after the operation.

Traditional herbal treatment

1. If the surface of a mole with a white halo is lubricated with garlic juice, and then with lemon juice, then over time the nevus will disappear, as will the light spot.
2. Grind the celandine and add Vaseline to it. Apply the resulting mixture to the mole up to twice a day.
3. Take half a glass of apple cider vinegar and add two cloves of garlic to it. Leave it for up to two weeks. Moisten a small amount of cotton cloth and apply it to the nevus before going to bed. Repeat until the mole disappears completely.

Prevention

If you notice that the skin around the mole is starting to lighten, it is best to completely cover this part of the body before going out in the sun. Firstly, the sun's rays always have a negative effect on nevi. On the other hand, light skin will immediately burn from their effects.

Try to avoid stressful situations, emotional overload, watch your diet and weight.

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Forecast

With timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable. In some cases, if a white spot around a mole appeared due to stress, it may even go away on its own.