New Moles on the Skin - An Overview

Introduction:

The sudden appearance of new moles on the skin can concern many individuals. The skin is the largest organ of the human body. New moles on the skin are the skin growth that can vary in color. The color can be natural skin color or brown to black. Skin moles can appear anywhere on the skin. It can occur alone or in groups. The age of appearance of new skin moles is early childhood. The moles can occur during the first 20 years of life. Till adulthood, the normal person may have 10 to 40 moles on the skin. People with light skin shade have more tendency to have skin moles. With time, the moles are elevated and become lighter in color. Sometimes, hairs also appear over the moles. Sometimes, moles disappear with time without any change in the moles.

Generally, the moles are non-cancerous. However, these become cancerous when they become old. If the person has new or old moles, they can visit dermatologists for treatment. The article discusses new moles on the skin, their causes, types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

What Are New Moles on the Skin?

Moles are non-cancerous and harmless raised growths on the skin. These types of moles occur due to the melanocyte's overgrowth. If an individual is experiencing any change in shape, size, and color of moles, it may indicate a severe skin condition. The other name for moles is nevi. If there is a sudden change in the growth of moles, it can be a sign of skin melanoma. Skin melanoma is a type of skin cancer that causes skin cancer.

What Are the Types of New Moles on the Skin?

Several types of moles can appear on the skin. The common new types of moles are as follows:

• Congenital Moles: These types of moles are present from birth. The size, shape, and color of these moles may vary. Some people are concerned about the condition when the child ages 10 to 12. These can be managed by surgery, chemical peel, and laser ablation. Some of these moles are at high risk of getting malignant in adulthood.

• Acquired Moles: The other names of acquired moles are common or nevi. These appear later in life on the skin. These types of moles appear on the fair-skinned people. The shape, size, and texture of the moles change with an increase in age. These also may have hairs. If the number of moles is more than 50, then the person is at high risk of developing cancer.

• Atypical Moles: These types of moles are also called dysplastic nevi. The typical locations of these moles are the head, neck, and scalp. On the face, these moles rarely occur. The characteristics of atypical moles are the same as skin melanoma. These types of moles have more of a tendency to become cancerous. These types of moles are irregular and occur in fair-skinned people. People highly exposed to the sun are at high risk of developing the condition.

What Are the Causes of New Moles on the Skin?

The new moles on the skin can be congenital or acquired. These can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). The common cause of the appearance of new moles is genetic mutations. The mutation in the BRAF gene can lead to the formation of non-cancerous acquired moles. The gene is also involved in the case of skin melanoma. The other causes can be sunlight exposure or natural or artificial exposure to ultraviolet light. When these interact with deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA), these may cause genetic damage, leading to skin cancer formation. Sun exposure can occur during childhood or adulthood, which may result in the formation of new moles. People who are at high risk of developing new moles on the skin are as follows:

• An increase in age.

• People with a family history of atypical moles.

• Fair-skinned people.

• Genetic mutations.

• Sunburn or sun exposure.

• Reaction to certain medications, such as hormones and antidepressants.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of New Moles on the Skin?

The common signs and symptoms of new moles on the skin are as follows:

• There can be bleeding and oozing from the moles. The moles can cause itching and burning sensation. If an individual has these warning signs, they can consult a dermatologist.

• The appearance of new moles on the skin can be a sign of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma.

• The color of the moles can be a mixture of several colors.

• The size of moles is more than six millimeters in diameter.

• The border of the moles can be blurry edges or irregular.

• The person may feel discomfort and pain in the affected area.

• The common sites of new moles on the skin are soles, palms, toes, fingers, under toenails, and fingernails.

How Are New Moles on the Skin Diagnosed?

The dermatologists may determine new moles on the skin in the following ways:

• Physical Examination: The healthcare provider may physically examine the moles and see their size, symmetry, color, and border. The doctor may also ask the patient about the symptoms, such as pain, bleeding, or discomfort.

• Skin Biopsy: Dermatologists may perform a skin biopsy by taking a sample from the moles and checking it under a microscope. It will help in disguising whether the moles are cancerous or not. It is cancerous, and it needs to be immediately removed.

How Are New Moles on the Skin Treated?

Dermatologists who specialize in skin conditions may manage them. It need not be removed for people with normal skin and no concerns. If an individual is experiencing any symptoms, such as pain and bleeding, it requires attention. People should not try to remove moles by themselves. The healthcare provider may remove the skin moles by burning, freezing, and lasers. The treatment is required to prevent them from converting into skin cancer or melanoma.

How Are New Moles on the Skin Prevented?

The preventive measures of new moles on the skin are as follows:

• Limiting exposure of skin to sunlight.

• Wear sunscreen every day.

• Regular visits to the dermatologists.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the new moles on the skin are irregular or raised skin growth. The color of the skin moles can be darker. It can occur in people from birth or can occur later in life. The person may feel pain, discomfort, or bleeding. Sometimes, it has the chance of converting into skin cancer. People should consult dermatologists to manage the condition. The healthcare provider may surgically remove the skin moles by using a laser. The condition can be prevented by wearing sunscreen and limiting exposure to sunlight.