How and why do external skin moles develop? Obviously the ones that are not cancerous but why do they come?
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health and beauty over 40
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Bijou
The moles that are in question are the same typically moles that everyone knows about. I already know what to look for as regards to health hazardous ones. But it's puzzling, why and how do they develop? What are they made of? I speak of the external ones, the ones that are usually portrayed as the one by a witch's nose not the one that are beautified by Cindy Crawford.
Answer
Moles, known medically as nevi, are clusters of pigmented cells that often appear as small, dark brown spots on your torso, face, arms and legs. But moles can come in a range of colors and can develop virtually anywhere, including your scalp, armpits, under your nails, and between your fingers and toes.
Most people have between 10 and 40 moles, although the number you have may change throughout life. New moles can appear into mid-adulthood, and because moles last about 50 years, some moles may disappear as you age.
The great majority of moles are harmless, but in rare cases, moles may become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in the diagnosis of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Although not all melanomas develop from pre-existing moles, many begin in or near a mole or other dark spot on the skin.
Everyone has moles, sometimes 40 or more. Most people think of a mole as a dark brown spot, but moles have a wide range of appearance.
At one time, a mole in a certain spot on the cheek of a woman was considered fashionable. Some were even painted on. These were called "beauty marks." However, not all moles are beautiful. They can be raised from the skin and very noticeable, they may contain dark hairs, or they may be dangerous.
Normal Mole
Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups. They are usually brown in color and can be various sizes and shapes. The brown color is caused by melanocytes, special cells that produce the pigment melanin.
Moles probably are determined before a person is born. Most appear during the first 20 years of a person's life, although some may not appear until later in life. Sun exposure increases the number of moles.
Each mole has its own growth pattern. At first, moles are flat and tan, pink, brown or black in color, like a freckle. Over time, they usually enlarge and some develop hairs. As the years pass, moles usually change slowly, becoming more raised and lighter in color. Some will not change at all. Most moles will slowly disappear, seeming to fade away. Others will become raised so far from the skin that they may develop a small "stalk" and eventually fall off or are rubbed off.
This is the typical life cycle of the common mole. These changes occur slowly since the life cycle of the average mole is about 50 years.
Moles may darken, with exposure to the sun. During the teen years, with birth control pills and pregnancy, moles often get darker and larger and new ones may appear.
Different Types of Moles
Recent studies have shown that certain types of moles have a higher-than-average risk of becoming cancerous. Some may develop into a form of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma. Sunburns may increase the risk of melanoma. People with many more moles than average (greater than 100) are also more at risk for melanoma.
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.
Moles known as dysplastic nevi or 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.
Persons 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 also learn to do regular self-examinations, looking for changes in the color, size or shape of their moles or the appearance of new moles. They should also shield their moles from sun exposure using sunscreen and/or clothing.
Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important. Remember the ABCD's of melanoma when examining your moles.
A stands for ASYMMETRY, when one half of the mole doesn't match the other half.
B stands for BORDER, when the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular.
C stands for COLOR, when the color of the mole is not the same throughout or if it has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white or blue.
D stands for DIAMETER, when the diameter of a mole is larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser.
If a mole displays any of these signs, it should be checked promptly by a dermatologist.
Many people have flat moles. It's important to remember that not all moles look alike. They 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.
Other Pigmented Patches on the Skin
If you look closely at your skin, you may notice darkened spots that are not moles. Freckles are the most common of these spots. Unlike moles, they are rarely larger than the size of a pea, although sometimes they may seem to be because they blend into one another. Sun exposure may make freckles darker or freckles may fade completely in the winter. While moles may appear anywhere on the skin, freckles ordinarily are limited to sun exposed areas, such as the face, neck and upper back. Blondes and redheads freckle most easily.
Freckles
After middle age, a person may acquire other dark areas that are not moles. Brown, wart-like growths that appear on the face or trunk and look as if they have been stuck to the skin may be harmless growths called seborrheic keratoses.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/moles/DS00121
http://www.rdoctor.com
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
http://www.cdc.gov
http://www.kavokin.com
http://www.symptomat.com
http://www.webmd.com
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/Moles.htm
Multiple small gray-brown spots that may appear on wrists, backs of the hands, forearms, and face could be actinic lentigines. These are also called "liver spots" or "age spots," though they have nothing to do with liver or age. They are sunspots. Both actinic lentigines and seborrheic keratoses are easily diagnosed by your dermatologist and are not cancers.
Treatment of Moles
The majority of moles and other blemishes are benign (not-cancer). They will never be a threat to the health of the person who has them. Spots or blemishes that warrant medical concern are those that do something out of the ordinary-those that act differently from other existing moles. This includes any spot that changes in size, shape or color, or one that bleeds, itches, becomes painful, or first appears when a person is past twenty.
Occasionally, a mole may become a cancerous growth. Therefore, it's best to get medical advice if you notice a mole that does not follow the normal pattern. A dermatologist may be able to assure you that the mole is harmless. To accomplish this, he or she may study a sample of it under a microscope for an accurate diagnosis.
The dermatologist will remove the mole, or part of it, so that thin sections from the mole can be cut and examined under a microscope. This is a simple and harmless procedure. If the growth was only partially removed and it is found to be cancerous, then the entire lesion and an extra margin of safety will need to be removed.
A person may wish to get rid of moles that are in areas of trauma, where clothing can irritate them, or simply because they are unattractive. The most common methods of removal include numbing the spot and then shaving the mole off, or for some moles, cutting out the entire lesion and stitching the area closed.
Most procedures used to remove moles take only a short time and can be performed in a dermatologist's office. Sometimes a mole will recur after it is removed. If a removed mole does begin to reappear, the patient should return to see the doctor.
More About Moles
Many people wonder if it's safe to shave over a mole. Medical studies show that irritation such as shaving will not cause a mole to become cancerous. A person might want to have moles in a frequently shaved area removed because they are irritating.
Some moles contain hairs, which a person may consider unattractive. The hairs can be clipped close to the skin's surface, or removed permanently with electrolysis. Removal of the mole also removes the hair.
Another way to make a mole less conspicuous is to disguise it with makeup. Cosmetics specifically designed to cover blemishes provide more complete coverage than do ordinary cosmetics.
Most moles cause no problems. But occasionally a mole may be unattractive, irritating, or changing. If you see any signs of change or want a mole removed for cosmetic reasons, consult your dermatologist.
Moles, known medically as nevi, are clusters of pigmented cells that often appear as small, dark brown spots on your torso, face, arms and legs. But moles can come in a range of colors and can develop virtually anywhere, including your scalp, armpits, under your nails, and between your fingers and toes.
Most people have between 10 and 40 moles, although the number you have may change throughout life. New moles can appear into mid-adulthood, and because moles last about 50 years, some moles may disappear as you age.
The great majority of moles are harmless, but in rare cases, moles may become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in the diagnosis of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Although not all melanomas develop from pre-existing moles, many begin in or near a mole or other dark spot on the skin.
Everyone has moles, sometimes 40 or more. Most people think of a mole as a dark brown spot, but moles have a wide range of appearance.
At one time, a mole in a certain spot on the cheek of a woman was considered fashionable. Some were even painted on. These were called "beauty marks." However, not all moles are beautiful. They can be raised from the skin and very noticeable, they may contain dark hairs, or they may be dangerous.
Normal Mole
Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups. They are usually brown in color and can be various sizes and shapes. The brown color is caused by melanocytes, special cells that produce the pigment melanin.
Moles probably are determined before a person is born. Most appear during the first 20 years of a person's life, although some may not appear until later in life. Sun exposure increases the number of moles.
Each mole has its own growth pattern. At first, moles are flat and tan, pink, brown or black in color, like a freckle. Over time, they usually enlarge and some develop hairs. As the years pass, moles usually change slowly, becoming more raised and lighter in color. Some will not change at all. Most moles will slowly disappear, seeming to fade away. Others will become raised so far from the skin that they may develop a small "stalk" and eventually fall off or are rubbed off.
This is the typical life cycle of the common mole. These changes occur slowly since the life cycle of the average mole is about 50 years.
Moles may darken, with exposure to the sun. During the teen years, with birth control pills and pregnancy, moles often get darker and larger and new ones may appear.
Different Types of Moles
Recent studies have shown that certain types of moles have a higher-than-average risk of becoming cancerous. Some may develop into a form of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma. Sunburns may increase the risk of melanoma. People with many more moles than average (greater than 100) are also more at risk for melanoma.
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.
Moles known as dysplastic nevi or 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.
Persons 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 also learn to do regular self-examinations, looking for changes in the color, size or shape of their moles or the appearance of new moles. They should also shield their moles from sun exposure using sunscreen and/or clothing.
Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important. Remember the ABCD's of melanoma when examining your moles.
A stands for ASYMMETRY, when one half of the mole doesn't match the other half.
B stands for BORDER, when the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular.
C stands for COLOR, when the color of the mole is not the same throughout or if it has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white or blue.
D stands for DIAMETER, when the diameter of a mole is larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser.
If a mole displays any of these signs, it should be checked promptly by a dermatologist.
Many people have flat moles. It's important to remember that not all moles look alike. They 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.
Other Pigmented Patches on the Skin
If you look closely at your skin, you may notice darkened spots that are not moles. Freckles are the most common of these spots. Unlike moles, they are rarely larger than the size of a pea, although sometimes they may seem to be because they blend into one another. Sun exposure may make freckles darker or freckles may fade completely in the winter. While moles may appear anywhere on the skin, freckles ordinarily are limited to sun exposed areas, such as the face, neck and upper back. Blondes and redheads freckle most easily.
Freckles
After middle age, a person may acquire other dark areas that are not moles. Brown, wart-like growths that appear on the face or trunk and look as if they have been stuck to the skin may be harmless growths called seborrheic keratoses.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/moles/DS00121
http://www.rdoctor.com
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
http://www.cdc.gov
http://www.kavokin.com
http://www.symptomat.com
http://www.webmd.com
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/Moles.htm
Multiple small gray-brown spots that may appear on wrists, backs of the hands, forearms, and face could be actinic lentigines. These are also called "liver spots" or "age spots," though they have nothing to do with liver or age. They are sunspots. Both actinic lentigines and seborrheic keratoses are easily diagnosed by your dermatologist and are not cancers.
Treatment of Moles
The majority of moles and other blemishes are benign (not-cancer). They will never be a threat to the health of the person who has them. Spots or blemishes that warrant medical concern are those that do something out of the ordinary-those that act differently from other existing moles. This includes any spot that changes in size, shape or color, or one that bleeds, itches, becomes painful, or first appears when a person is past twenty.
Occasionally, a mole may become a cancerous growth. Therefore, it's best to get medical advice if you notice a mole that does not follow the normal pattern. A dermatologist may be able to assure you that the mole is harmless. To accomplish this, he or she may study a sample of it under a microscope for an accurate diagnosis.
The dermatologist will remove the mole, or part of it, so that thin sections from the mole can be cut and examined under a microscope. This is a simple and harmless procedure. If the growth was only partially removed and it is found to be cancerous, then the entire lesion and an extra margin of safety will need to be removed.
A person may wish to get rid of moles that are in areas of trauma, where clothing can irritate them, or simply because they are unattractive. The most common methods of removal include numbing the spot and then shaving the mole off, or for some moles, cutting out the entire lesion and stitching the area closed.
Most procedures used to remove moles take only a short time and can be performed in a dermatologist's office. Sometimes a mole will recur after it is removed. If a removed mole does begin to reappear, the patient should return to see the doctor.
More About Moles
Many people wonder if it's safe to shave over a mole. Medical studies show that irritation such as shaving will not cause a mole to become cancerous. A person might want to have moles in a frequently shaved area removed because they are irritating.
Some moles contain hairs, which a person may consider unattractive. The hairs can be clipped close to the skin's surface, or removed permanently with electrolysis. Removal of the mole also removes the hair.
Another way to make a mole less conspicuous is to disguise it with makeup. Cosmetics specifically designed to cover blemishes provide more complete coverage than do ordinary cosmetics.
Most moles cause no problems. But occasionally a mole may be unattractive, irritating, or changing. If you see any signs of change or want a mole removed for cosmetic reasons, consult your dermatologist.
How Do I Encourage My Daughter to get into Shape?
surfsidecp
My daughter is 19 and very overweight. I have always set an example of eating healty and regular exercising. She won't talk about her weight. I don't bring it up but I do encourage her to make healty changes/choices. Today I offered to get her a personal trainer/nutritionist. She just said no. I am very worried about the long-term affects on her health, career, relationships, etc. I know she is not happy with her body the way it is. What can I do to help?
Answer
The fact that she doesnât want to talk about it means that you havenât found the right avenue to get her to open up. Try asking her how she feels when you try to talk to her about her weight. As HER what to do or say to encourage her. Then do it. Ask her what makes her feel bad, and then stop doing THAT.
Remember, you may not be able to be the one who "saves" her. There is also something about the mother-daughter relationship and the need for children to separate themselves from their parents that can throw a wrench into your perfectly great intentions to help her.
A thought - find out why she is averse to a personal trainer. Does she hate the idea of talking to a thin, fit person about her eating habits? Is she afraid they will work her to death in the exercise department?
Ask yourself if the choices you are modelling will actually cause her to lose weight. I assume you know what you are talking about, but there is still a lot of misinformation about what works for the "very overweight." It may not be what works best for HER body.
Her problem probably feels daunting, and if anything is to change, she needs to âownâ the solution. Try giving her the book "Body Clutter," by Marla Cilley. See reference below.
These may not apply to your situation, but here are some of the things I did with my dd when she was very unhappy about her physical appearanceâ¦.it may not be sufficient for someone who is âveryâ overweight, but it worked great for her. She took off 40 lbs over a number of months, and it has really changed her social life â yes, it isnât fair, but people do treat âfat peopleâ differently. We celebrated milestones along the way, and I made sure that the celebrations were not so much about pounds lost, but about her choosing a goal and making it happen in a healthy way. We planned some of these celebrations in advance, so she could look forward to them. (I also warned her that losing weight too fast was NOT ok, and would NOT be celebrated!) The celebrations were mostly about shopping for new clothes, and sometimes about money with which to enjoy shopping/shows with her friends.
Anyway, here is what I did:
Told her what I thought was beautiful about her.
Told her that in the long run, having a beautiful character would have a bigger effect on her life-long beauty than her outward appearance. (she probably didnât care, but hey, I got it in there anyway).
Told her that most people go through awkward periods when they have more fat than their friends, are taller or shorter, have the wrong sort of hair to be considered stylish (is it an perm or a flat-hair look that is in?), their noses and legs arenât in proper proportion to everything else. As for people who are âmagazine beautifulâ all through their teens, well, itâs not fair, and they probably hate how they look anyway. So anyway, she could look forward to being her own special brand of beautiful when she grew up.
Hollywood stars of the past were all considered beautiful because they were unique, and they were styled in a way that made the most of their uniqueness, whether it was Betty Davisâ eyes, Joan Crawford's shoulders, Marylyn Monroeâs curvy, large hourglass figure, or Audrey Hepburnâs long neck.
Models in magazines are airbrushed and look like normal people without their make-up and designer clothing.
Most people only look their best when they wear clothing that is appropriate to their body type and in colors that are becoming to their skin. Encouraged her to learn her body and what colors make her skin glow with health, and you can feel better every time you get dressed. (in her case, dropped waists to elongate a short waist, open neckline to minimize extra wide shoulders, and blue green, for example).
If she doesnât like something about her appearance, she has the ability to change it to be whatever she wants it to be, but it would be wise to work within what nature provided.
I warned her about anorexia and bulimia as ruining not just her health (like kids even care about that!), but ruins the metabolism so that she could spend her adult life fat and struggling, if she made it that far, or emaciated and concentration-camp-ish.
Told her that it is WAY easier to lose weight now vs later. Older women really struggle to take off weight, especially since people who are fat are have fat cells that are literally secreting hormones that cause further fat storage. (SO not fair!)
I told her that food, while enjoyable, is meant to nourish us, not sedate us. So she can and should enjoy different foods, but not ârestaurant portionsâ that are geared to make people fat.
Encouraged her to pay close attention to feelings of being hungry, vs. feeling satisfied (i.e., not hungry anymore, but not stuffed), vs. feeling full (stuffed). Encouraged her to aim for "satisfied."
Told her that sometimes hunger is really thirst, and to try water first if she thought she had eaten too recently to be really hungry. Besides, the body needs water to burn off fat! If that didn't work, then eat.
Suggested she enjoy mini-meals whenever she felt hungry throughout the day, along with plenty of fresh, clean water. While I encouraged her to eat healthy foods, letting her know that junk foods build fat much better than they build a pretty complexion, I didnât fuss any more than usual about veggies (i.e. gotta eat your salad and veggies at the dinner table before seconds or dessertâ¦.after eating that, she could ask herself if she felt like eating more at that moment, or not).
Told her to start with just 15 minutes of exercise per day, like Flylady advises.
Encouraged her to exercise in ways that she enjoyed, like dancing to music in her room, joining the Y, walking the dog with me, etc. She does NOT love to exercise, but I havenât leaned on her too much about this since she doesnât seem open to hearing about it from me.
Good luck! I know this is a really hard problem.
The fact that she doesnât want to talk about it means that you havenât found the right avenue to get her to open up. Try asking her how she feels when you try to talk to her about her weight. As HER what to do or say to encourage her. Then do it. Ask her what makes her feel bad, and then stop doing THAT.
Remember, you may not be able to be the one who "saves" her. There is also something about the mother-daughter relationship and the need for children to separate themselves from their parents that can throw a wrench into your perfectly great intentions to help her.
A thought - find out why she is averse to a personal trainer. Does she hate the idea of talking to a thin, fit person about her eating habits? Is she afraid they will work her to death in the exercise department?
Ask yourself if the choices you are modelling will actually cause her to lose weight. I assume you know what you are talking about, but there is still a lot of misinformation about what works for the "very overweight." It may not be what works best for HER body.
Her problem probably feels daunting, and if anything is to change, she needs to âownâ the solution. Try giving her the book "Body Clutter," by Marla Cilley. See reference below.
These may not apply to your situation, but here are some of the things I did with my dd when she was very unhappy about her physical appearanceâ¦.it may not be sufficient for someone who is âveryâ overweight, but it worked great for her. She took off 40 lbs over a number of months, and it has really changed her social life â yes, it isnât fair, but people do treat âfat peopleâ differently. We celebrated milestones along the way, and I made sure that the celebrations were not so much about pounds lost, but about her choosing a goal and making it happen in a healthy way. We planned some of these celebrations in advance, so she could look forward to them. (I also warned her that losing weight too fast was NOT ok, and would NOT be celebrated!) The celebrations were mostly about shopping for new clothes, and sometimes about money with which to enjoy shopping/shows with her friends.
Anyway, here is what I did:
Told her what I thought was beautiful about her.
Told her that in the long run, having a beautiful character would have a bigger effect on her life-long beauty than her outward appearance. (she probably didnât care, but hey, I got it in there anyway).
Told her that most people go through awkward periods when they have more fat than their friends, are taller or shorter, have the wrong sort of hair to be considered stylish (is it an perm or a flat-hair look that is in?), their noses and legs arenât in proper proportion to everything else. As for people who are âmagazine beautifulâ all through their teens, well, itâs not fair, and they probably hate how they look anyway. So anyway, she could look forward to being her own special brand of beautiful when she grew up.
Hollywood stars of the past were all considered beautiful because they were unique, and they were styled in a way that made the most of their uniqueness, whether it was Betty Davisâ eyes, Joan Crawford's shoulders, Marylyn Monroeâs curvy, large hourglass figure, or Audrey Hepburnâs long neck.
Models in magazines are airbrushed and look like normal people without their make-up and designer clothing.
Most people only look their best when they wear clothing that is appropriate to their body type and in colors that are becoming to their skin. Encouraged her to learn her body and what colors make her skin glow with health, and you can feel better every time you get dressed. (in her case, dropped waists to elongate a short waist, open neckline to minimize extra wide shoulders, and blue green, for example).
If she doesnât like something about her appearance, she has the ability to change it to be whatever she wants it to be, but it would be wise to work within what nature provided.
I warned her about anorexia and bulimia as ruining not just her health (like kids even care about that!), but ruins the metabolism so that she could spend her adult life fat and struggling, if she made it that far, or emaciated and concentration-camp-ish.
Told her that it is WAY easier to lose weight now vs later. Older women really struggle to take off weight, especially since people who are fat are have fat cells that are literally secreting hormones that cause further fat storage. (SO not fair!)
I told her that food, while enjoyable, is meant to nourish us, not sedate us. So she can and should enjoy different foods, but not ârestaurant portionsâ that are geared to make people fat.
Encouraged her to pay close attention to feelings of being hungry, vs. feeling satisfied (i.e., not hungry anymore, but not stuffed), vs. feeling full (stuffed). Encouraged her to aim for "satisfied."
Told her that sometimes hunger is really thirst, and to try water first if she thought she had eaten too recently to be really hungry. Besides, the body needs water to burn off fat! If that didn't work, then eat.
Suggested she enjoy mini-meals whenever she felt hungry throughout the day, along with plenty of fresh, clean water. While I encouraged her to eat healthy foods, letting her know that junk foods build fat much better than they build a pretty complexion, I didnât fuss any more than usual about veggies (i.e. gotta eat your salad and veggies at the dinner table before seconds or dessertâ¦.after eating that, she could ask herself if she felt like eating more at that moment, or not).
Told her to start with just 15 minutes of exercise per day, like Flylady advises.
Encouraged her to exercise in ways that she enjoyed, like dancing to music in her room, joining the Y, walking the dog with me, etc. She does NOT love to exercise, but I havenât leaned on her too much about this since she doesnât seem open to hearing about it from me.
Good luck! I know this is a really hard problem.
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