My son has growing red birth mark below his nose. Can it be removed by surgery?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I looked into the pictures of your son (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and can understand your concern. It is a simple nevus (common mole). Regarding future health risk, most of the common mole does not cause any problem except they may grow in size. But very very rarely, they may get transformed into melanoma (skin cancer). No medicines will clear it but yes, it can be removed surgically. The risk of it getting transformed into melanoma is not the indication to get it removed but it is a cosmetic indication in your son's case. Yes, he can withstand the surgery as it is done under local anesthesia with sedation. It will not recur at that site once it is removed. As mentioned, only surgery can correct it but right now it is not strongly indicated unless he cannot cope up with the condition. But as told there is a very small risk of it changing into melanoma. Actually, most doctors would advise to watch for those changes (sudden growth in size or changes in the color) and if these changes are happening then go for the surgery. But for him, it is in the area of mustache so he may try to hide it from the world once he starts growing mustache and hence any changes in color of the mole might not be noticed. So it is better you consider surgery now only. I hope this helps.