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Why does a mole bleed and what should I do?
Last reviewed: 18.10.2021
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Moles - located on the skin are clearly limited concentrations of melanocytes (cells containing dark pigment melanin) - usually do not bleed. Why does a mole bleed? In addition to nevus, epidermal and dermal melanocytes in most moles (dermatologists call them nevi), there are blood vessels, and when they grow, red moles (or vascular nevuses) appear.
The main reasons for bleeding the mole
Most often, when a red birthmark or any other birthmark bleeding from the skin surface, its mechanical damage occurs: the nevus can be touched inadvertently during depilation, shaving, intensive wiping of the skin with a towel. Violation of the integrity of the tissues of a mole can be the result of constant friction with clothing, especially on the neck, back, underarm and inguinal folds.
Some moles have stiff hairs growing out of their center. Quite often, the removal of these hair (for example, pulling them with tweezers or shaving) also leads to the allocation of a small amount of blood.
When women, using scrubs to clean the skin of the face, too zealously rub it, you can not be surprised that the birthmark on your face bleeds.
Adherents of natural sunburn, as well as lovers of attending a solarium, can be familiar with the situation when a birthmark has cracked under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and bleeds.
Fortunately, most moles are benign. However, it should be borne in mind that the bleeding of moles can be one of the alarming signs of malignancy and the development of melanoma. Many nevi are hereditary in nature and are genetically transmitted from generation to generation. These inherited atypical (dysplastic) nevuses may be more significant than the average size of moles, and have an irregular shape or atypical color. Experts argue that these birthmarks are much more likely to develop in melanoma.
For this reason, if the birthmark bleeds on the face, chest, back, or anywhere else, you should put a sterile napkin on it (by fixing the adhesive plaster) and send it to the dermatologist.
What to do if the mole bleeds?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one of the most serious causes of moles bleeding is their degeneration into skin cancer (melanoma). And in this case, bleeding can begin spontaneously, without any external influences or irritating factors.
Here are five alarming signs of melanoma:
- a: asymmetry of the birthmark;
- b: lack of clear boundaries;
- c: color changes;
- d: diameter more than 6-8 mm;
- e: significant elevation above the surface of the skin.
Congenital nevi are more prone to degeneration in melanoma than birthmarks that have appeared after birth, especially if they are large. Two genes of a predisposition to a melanoma - CDKN2A and CDK4 are revealed. Although, according to most experts, these genes alone do not provide an exhaustive explanation for the pathogenesis of malignization of cells of normal moles, and without the negative influence of environmental factors (in particular, sun rays), this has not been done.
It is extremely important to identify melanoma in the early stages to prevent its spread. Melanoma is treatable: it is removed surgically or by laser.
If the mole bleeds, dermatologists recommend to see a doctor.