^

Health

A
A
A

Hanging moles

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

There are birthmarks for each person - some have more, some less. They appear in the first months of a child's life and remain for life. In some nations, the presence of many moles on the body is considered a sign of a long, happy and comfortable life. In the Middle Ages, women of fashion and beauty even painted on their faces "flies" to look more coquettish and charming. However, not all birthmarks are so harmless. The medical name of moles is a nevus, and they are considered an innate or acquired skin defect. As a rule, moles are a small brown slightly convex spot - that's how we used to see them. However, there are also other varieties. For example, hanging moles. Their peculiarity is that they develop from epithelial tissue. They are a cone-shaped outgrowth with an uneven surface. As a rule, their color does not differ from the skin color, but they can be in a different color range - from white to dark brown. Hanging moles "like" to settle on the neck, under the arms, in the groin.

trusted-source[1]

Causes of the hanging mole

The causes of the appearance of hanging moles on the body are different, and are individual for each individual person.

One of the reasons is a change in the hormonal background of the body. For example, this is a frequent phenomenon in pregnant women. Women notice that under the armpits or in the groin they begin to grow small formations - hanging moles. Such nevi do not present a danger, and sometimes even remain completely unnoticed. They pass after childbirth as soon as the hormonal background of the woman returns to normal.

The second reason is the human papilloma virus. In this case, everything is much more serious. The virus enters the bloodstream and multiplies, causing multiple appearances to appear on the skin. If you suspect a papilloma virus infection, your doctor will refer you to tests, the results of which will help you choose the next treatment.

The third reason is age changes in the skin and hormonal background. This theory was put forward by American doctors, and so far it has not been fully confirmed or disproved. However, it is known for certain that in older people the occurrence of hanging moles is very common.

And the fourth is the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. It has long been noted that skin areas that are often exposed to sunlight tend to form nevuses. Available on the exposed parts of the body of a birthmark is better to cover or treat the skin with means with a UV filter.

trusted-source

Pathogenesis

The causes and mechanism of appearance of hanging moles on the body has not yet been fully investigated. However, it is precisely known that most often they appear in places that are susceptible to friction or ultraviolet radiation. For some reason, the cells of the epithelium begin to divide with a doubled force, which leads to the fact that the mole increases in size and takes the form of a small conical formation of an irregular shape.

trusted-source[2], [3], [4]

Symptoms of the hanging mole

Symptoms of hanging moles are very simple and obvious. When palpation, there is a nipple formation, painless when feeling. This is the hanging mole. As a rule, several days pass before a person or someone from his relatives turns his attention to a new growth, especially if the hanging mole is on the back, shoulders or in the pelvis, where it is not easy to notice. If the birthmark was damaged, then there may be a slight bleeding, a burning sensation, and pain. In the future, the location of the birthmark may swell, change the color, which in itself is a formidable symptom. In such a case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

trusted-source[5],

Are dying birthmarks dangerous?

Single birthmarks of this type are common. However, if moles start to appear in large numbers, hurt, itch, or somehow change color - this is an occasion to consult a doctor. Physicians consider moles of this kind potentially dangerous, and advise them to pay close attention to them. It is necessary to ensure that such birthmarks do not develop into tumoral formations. There is no point in succumbing to panic, because many people live with hanging moles all their lives without any problems. However, it is worthwhile to listen to the attending physician and do all the necessary skin tests and take the tests. The danger is that hanging moles can often be injured by clothing or accessories, and in exposed areas of the body they are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. If you rip such a birthmark, it can provoke suppuration or even the appearance of melanoma. If the nevus is injured, it is recommended to burn the wound with a disinfectant - for example, hydrogen peroxide or iodine.

trusted-source[6], [7]

Forms

Hanging moles are different in appearance and location.

They come with uneven, hummocky edges and a more smooth form resembling a pea.

Also the color varies - from white to dark brown and even black.

Depending on the location of the hanging moles are divided into those that are formed in the groin, under the arms, on the face and on the neck. In these places they are found most often. Black hanging moles - this in itself is no longer very good. After all, black nevuses due to damage or inflammation. If you find that the hanging mole has turned black - do not hesitate, contact the clinic for tests. White hanging moles are most common during puberty and in pregnant women - under the armpits or in the groin. They are dangerous because they can easily be overlooked and cut off during hygiene procedures. If this happens, quickly treat the wound with a disinfectant. Brown large hanging moles appear on the face and neck, they also deliver a lot of inconvenience to a person - from the appearance, ending with a permanent injury to clothing.

Hanging mole on the neck is better to remove, because it is subjected to constant exposure to ultraviolet light and rubbed with clothing - a collar or scarf. Hanging moles on the face are especially inconvenient for women, because such an education does not decorate even the most pretty face.

Hanging moles under the armpits are most often traumatized during bathing or shaving. If you constantly incise a mole accidentally, then it is better to remove it, since systematic damage can cause its growth or suppuration.

If the mole is inflamed, itchy, or it hurts - this is the first sign that inflammatory processes occur in it, which can have the most negative effect on the body. Therefore, with the slightest changes in the appearance of the moles, or painful sensations in them - urgently go to the doctor! The same should be done if the hanging mole covered with a crust, thickened, the vascular pattern changed on it.

If the hanging mole reddens and hurts, then there may be several reasons: all the same hormonal failures (in adolescents, pregnant women and women on certain days of the cycle); casual cuts or rubbing clothes; and, finally, the most serious reason is the degeneration of a birthmark from benign to malignant. Such transformations can be accompanied by the appearance of blood inside the mole, loosening it, radical color change. Of course, the sensation of pain will not be as strong as, for example, with a flux, but it's hard not to notice it.

trusted-source[8],

Diagnostics of the hanging mole

Diagnosis of hanging moles does not present any difficulties for an experienced physician. The characteristic shape, location and color of these skin formations speak for themselves.

In those cases when there is a suspicion that the education is not benign, a biopsy will be offered to reveal the nature of the mole.

Also for the purpose of diagnosis, tests are performed on the presence of human papillomavirus. In this case, local treatment of hanging moles will be ineffective.   

If the birthmark has changed in size or has turned black, the examination should be performed by an oncologist.

trusted-source[9], [10]

Treatment of the hanging mole

To get rid of hanging moles, there are many methods - from radical removal to processing by various alternative means.

  1. At home, hanging moles can be smeared with iodine solution or tincture of celandine. The latter, however, should be used very carefully, since burns are possible. The tincture should be applied directly to the nevus.
  2. Large moles, which spoil the appearance and interfere, it is better to remove. It goes without saying that you need to do this after consulting a dermatologist. Removal of hanging moles on the neck, face or body is performed in the clinic or in the cosmetology room.

Removal is possible with the cauterization of liquid nitrogen (the most effective method is 85-100%), laser (electrocoagulation) or by surgical intervention under local anesthesia. The latter method is the most traumatic, and at the present time little is used. The laser is much better than a scalpel to cope with the task.

  1. If the appearance of hanging moles is associated with the papilloma virus, you can use the following drugs: Condimine, Bonofet's ointment, Aldor's cream. They are based on alternative recipes using medicinal herbs. These ointments are applied to the mole twice a day for two weeks. Contraindications to treatment are pregnancy and lactation. Recently, the drug Panavir, which is administered intravenously and destroys the virus of the papilloma. However, it also can not be used during pregnancy and children under 12 years of age. Adults with papillomavirus infection usually prescribed the administration of 5 ml of solution every 48 hours, after 3 injections pass to the administration of 5 ml of Panavir solution every 72 hours. The course of treatment is 5 injections.
  2. Alternative methods, such as compresses with juice Kalanchoe, garlic, potatoes and celandine are ineffective, but also have the right to use. In some recipes, it is advised to remove small hanging moles with acetic essences. We want to warn against such extremes - as a result of such "treatment" a serious chemical burn can be formed, which you will have to treat for a very long time.

The simplest folk method is to tie the base of the hanging mole with a coarse thread. Dermatologists do not recommend using this type of removal - first, unhygienic, and secondly, ineffective.

A popular remedy is wormwood oil from hanging moles. Essential oil of wormwood is recommended to lubricate it twice a day for several weeks. After such treatment they disappear.

Many people are interested in the question of how to remove hanging moles around the eyes and whether it is dangerous. Such moles are recommended to be removed surgically with the application of a thin cosmetic suture. From the laser or liquid nitrogen on the skin of the face may remain traces.  

Treatment of hanging moles should be carried out in a complex, taking into account anamnesis in each specific case. During pregnancy, hanging moles are best not to remove. It is better to wait for the restoration of the hormonal balance. And certainly, in no case can not tear off or cut off hanging moles! This can lead to the most bad consequences. If this happened due to negligence, the wound should be burned with iodine or peroxide, and consult a doctor.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.