Getting Rid Of Skin Moles Can Be Done With Surgery Or Alternative Methods
People often consider getting rid of skin moles for cosmetic reasons, but when moles are irregular, or potentially cancerous, they should be removed immediately.
Moles, or nevi, are dark spots or irregularities in skin, separate from birthmarks, hemangioma, or keratoses.
Heredity is a factor in the development of nevi, but sun exposure is also thought to be a contributor.
A normal mole is oval or round, and symmetrical.
The border of a healthy mole is sharp, regular, and well-defined, and the mole has a uniform color.
A healthy mole is also typically smaller than the size of a pencil eraser, and develops from the time that a person is a child, up to the age of forty.
In addition, a healthy mole occurs on areas of the body which receive sun exposure, like the legs, arms, trunk, and face.
An abnormal mole is called a dysplastic nevi.
These moles are asymmetrical, and have a hazy, irregular border.
The color of dysplastic nevi are varied, and most are larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
Dysplastic nevi occur on the extremities, on the abdomen, on the chest, or on the back.
A major change to a dysplastic nevi, especially after the age of forty, is a cause for concern.
Melanoma is a common form of cancer.
It is also one of the easiest cancers to eradicate, if addressed early.
When a mole starts to itch, becomes painful, or becomes elevated or swollen, the mole should be examined by a doctor.
Also, examination is warranted if moles change to a bluish-blackish color, or if they crust over, or develop ulceration.
Any patient with any symptoms of melanoma, or any suspicions about a mole, should see a doctor as soon as possible to discuss getting rid of skin moles.
Getting rid of skin moles is simple and straightforward under most circumstances.
Doctors clean the mole, and the surrounding surface, with alcohol, and then inject local anesthetic.
Often, the anesthetic contains epinephrine, to decrease bleeding from the wound.
If the mole is shallow, it is cut with a scalpel to the level of surrounding skin, or just below.
Then, doctors will either cauterize the wound, or apply a solution, to stop any bleeding.
More invasive cutting is required to remove a deeper mole.
Doctors will remove the affected mole, as well as a border around the affected mole, depending on whether or not the mole looks cancerous.
Once removal is complete, doctors stitch the wound, either deep down, where stitches will be absorbed into the body, or on the surface, from which stitches will be later removed.
Aftercare for mole removal is simple.
Patients should clean their wound with hydrogen peroxide or water, once or twice a day.
After cleaning, patients should apply a bandage, on top of an antibiotic salve.
Those who wish to get rid of a mole, for cosmetic reasons, should discuss the issue of scarring with their doctor.
An unhealthy mole should be examined by a doctor right away, as it could be cancerous.
Any thoughts of getting rid of skin moles under these circumstances should be discussed with a dermatologist, or doctor.
Moles, or nevi, are dark spots or irregularities in skin, separate from birthmarks, hemangioma, or keratoses.
Heredity is a factor in the development of nevi, but sun exposure is also thought to be a contributor.
A normal mole is oval or round, and symmetrical.
The border of a healthy mole is sharp, regular, and well-defined, and the mole has a uniform color.
A healthy mole is also typically smaller than the size of a pencil eraser, and develops from the time that a person is a child, up to the age of forty.
In addition, a healthy mole occurs on areas of the body which receive sun exposure, like the legs, arms, trunk, and face.
An abnormal mole is called a dysplastic nevi.
These moles are asymmetrical, and have a hazy, irregular border.
The color of dysplastic nevi are varied, and most are larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
Dysplastic nevi occur on the extremities, on the abdomen, on the chest, or on the back.
A major change to a dysplastic nevi, especially after the age of forty, is a cause for concern.
Melanoma is a common form of cancer.
It is also one of the easiest cancers to eradicate, if addressed early.
When a mole starts to itch, becomes painful, or becomes elevated or swollen, the mole should be examined by a doctor.
Also, examination is warranted if moles change to a bluish-blackish color, or if they crust over, or develop ulceration.
Any patient with any symptoms of melanoma, or any suspicions about a mole, should see a doctor as soon as possible to discuss getting rid of skin moles.
Getting rid of skin moles is simple and straightforward under most circumstances.
Doctors clean the mole, and the surrounding surface, with alcohol, and then inject local anesthetic.
Often, the anesthetic contains epinephrine, to decrease bleeding from the wound.
If the mole is shallow, it is cut with a scalpel to the level of surrounding skin, or just below.
Then, doctors will either cauterize the wound, or apply a solution, to stop any bleeding.
More invasive cutting is required to remove a deeper mole.
Doctors will remove the affected mole, as well as a border around the affected mole, depending on whether or not the mole looks cancerous.
Once removal is complete, doctors stitch the wound, either deep down, where stitches will be absorbed into the body, or on the surface, from which stitches will be later removed.
Aftercare for mole removal is simple.
Patients should clean their wound with hydrogen peroxide or water, once or twice a day.
After cleaning, patients should apply a bandage, on top of an antibiotic salve.
Those who wish to get rid of a mole, for cosmetic reasons, should discuss the issue of scarring with their doctor.
An unhealthy mole should be examined by a doctor right away, as it could be cancerous.
Any thoughts of getting rid of skin moles under these circumstances should be discussed with a dermatologist, or doctor.
