6 facial bumps that are not actually acne
All the bumps on your face are not necessarily pimples. Here,we tell you about the different skin disorders that could cause these eruptions and what you should do about it.
You will be surprised to know that every adult has around 10 to 40 moles that can appear anywhere on the body. Visible as brown or black growths on the skin, they first appear at birth or during early childhood and usually continue to develop until the age of 50. As you start to grow old, they slowly tend to disappear or fade away.
Although most moles are categorised as ordinary moles, there are other common types of moles that you might not be aware of. The medical terminology for moles is Nevus. Here are the most common types of moles:
Common nevi: These moles are normal. They are characterised by a distinct edge and may vary in colour from pink to brown.
Dysplastic nevi: They are also called atypical moles. These are quite large in size and irregular in shape. Usually, dysplastic nevi are those moles that occur because of hereditary factors. They are also quite uneven in colour. Any changes in moles need to be checked by a proper physician to rule out any health or skin problem.
Congenital nevi: This kind of mole occurs during birth and is more likely to turn into melanoma as you age. About one per cent of children are born with a congenital mole. They are classified according to their size, such as small – less than 1.5 cm; medium – 1.5 to 19.9 cm; and large – more than 20 cm (about 8 inches).
Spitz nevi: They are very closely related to melanoma. They are pink in colour, a bit raised and shaped like domes. They vary in colour from brown to red to black. They may bleed or ooze. They typically show up in the first two decades of life.
Acquired moles: These moles appear on the skin after birth. They are most commonly seen in light-skinned individuals. Melanoma (skin cancer) may occur if an individual has more than 50 of these moles.
A mole on your body shows the following traits:
Causes
Moles are small clusters of skin cells known as melanocytes that grow in a group rather than all over the skin. They are mainly caused by overproduction of pigment (melanin) in the skin which imparts your skin colour. Typically, moles do not signify any health risk. However, there are a couple of unusual moles which end up being cancerous in nature.
Risk factors
Getting too much exposure to sunlight can increase your chances of getting moles.
Though moles are harmless, the best way to prevent some types of moles is to limit your amount of exposure to the sun. Daily usage of sunscreen, with a 30 or more SPF, can help. Wearing clothes that cover most of your skin or shield you from the sun, like long sleeves and hats, can prove useful. More importantly, avoiding exposure to the sun from 10 am to 2 pm, when the sun is the strongest, can further prevent moles. Monthly examination of moles for any irregularities is important for detecting any changes that you may observe in the moles. If changes are detected, a visit to a dermatologist would be required. You should also visit a dermatologist if your moles itch, bleed, start oozing, have a scaly appearance, or become painful.
Keep in mind certain points during your monthly examination of moles:
If there is a change in the colour or shape of the mole, and of course the size of the mole, you should immediately consult a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a qualified skin specialist who will check your mole and scrutinize it before telling you whether the spot on the skin is a mole or not. They may use a derma scope, which is a magnifying lens, for closer inspection of the mole. The dermatologist may also perform mole mapping. This is a procedure where the dermatologist may take photographs or map the mole’s location on your body and then compare these pictures and locations over months and years. Also, if your doctor suspects any clinical condition such as skin cancer, they might recommend a biopsy (this is a test that microscopically examines a small part of the mole) and few tests to rule out or confirm cancer.
There are two procedures involved in treating and removing moles permanently. These are:
Prognosis
All the bumps on your face are not necessarily pimples. Here,we tell you about the different skin disorders that could cause these eruptions and what you should do about it.
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All the bumps on your face are not necessarily pimples. Here,we tell you about the different skin disorders that could cause these eruptions and what you should do about it.
While exposure to the sun is thought to be the prime cause, there are other factors that can play a spoilsport.
Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar explains in detail about types of mole reconstruction surgery.
Training the loved ones or partners of skin cancer survivors to examine new moles can dramatically increase early detection and thus lead to early treatment as well as improve survival rate, says a study.
Moles, skin tags, lesions are signs of skin cancer and much more you need to know
Love Rekha's beauty spot? Read this before you get one yourself.
Scientists reveal the reason behind certain moles turning cancerous.
What are skin tags? Skin tags are harmless, small growth on the skin. Click to see a picture if you are not sure whether you have them
Birthmarks are common in newborns, but they usually are a source of great concern to new parents.
Red meat consumption, number of moles linked to breast cancer?