Moles
Moles are common, and often, they’re just harmless marks on your skin. Sometimes, moles can turn into something more serious, like skin cancer. Trust the expert dermatologists at Alamance Skin Center to evaluate, monitor and treat moles on your skin.
What Does a Mole Look Like?
Most people think of a mole as a dark brown spot, but moles have a wide range of appearances. It’s important to remember that not all moles look alike.
Moles may be skin colored or pink, light tan to brown, and even blue-black. They may be round or oval, or their shape may be slightly irregular. They may be flat or raised, large or small, with or without hairs, mottled or evenly colored.
If the appearance of a mole worries you or if it changes suddenly in any way, you should consult a dermatologist.
Different Types of Moles
Congenital Nevi
Moles are present at birth in about 1 in 100 people. They are called congenital nevi. These moles may be more likely to develop a melanoma than moles which appear after birth. When a congenital nevus is more than eight inches across, it poses the greater risk for developing melanoma.
Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Moles)
Dysplastic nevi – also known as atypical moles – are larger than average (usually larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, sometimes reddish, uneven borders or black dots at edge. These moles often run in families.
People with dysplastic nevi may have a greater-than-average chance of developing malignant melanoma. These people should be seen regularly by a dermatologist to check for any changes that might indicate skin cancer, they should do regular self-examinations and should shield their moles from sun exposure using sunscreen and/or clothing.
Recognizing Abnormal Moles
Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important. Remember the ABCDEs of melanoma when examining your moles:
- A is for ASYMMETRY, when one half of the mole doesn’t match the other half.
- B is for BORDER, when the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular.
- C is for COLOR, when the mole's color is not the same throughout or if it has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white or blue.
- D is for DIAMETER, when the diameter of a mole is larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser.
- E is for EVOLUTION, meaning the mole changes noticeably over time.
If a mole displays any of these signs, it should be checked promptly by a dermatologist.
