Moles are extremely common skin growths that appear as small, often pigmented spots on the skin. They form when pigment-producing cells cluster together instead of spreading evenly throughout the skin’s surface. While most of these growths are harmless, any decision regarding their removal must prioritize safety and professional evaluation to prevent misdiagnosis. This article explores the nature of these growths, the dangers of non-medical removal, and the safe, established procedures for getting rid of them.
Understanding Benign Flesh Moles
A flesh mole is typically a common acquired nevus, often referred to as a dermal nevus when it is raised and less pigmented. These growths develop from clusters of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin in the skin. Unlike flat moles, flesh moles often appear raised, dome-shaped, and feel soft or rubbery to the touch. Their color ranges from the skin tone of the individual to a light brown or pink. A benign mole usually exhibits a symmetrical, round or oval shape with smooth, well-defined edges. They can sometimes cause irritation if located in an area where they rub against clothing or are cosmetically bothersome.
The Dangers of Attempting Home Removal
The desire to remove a bothersome mole quickly often leads people to attempt do-it-yourself methods, which carry severe risks. Methods found online, such as cutting the mole or using acidic compounds like apple cider vinegar, are dangerous. These attempts introduce a high probability of severe infection, especially without sterile tools, potentially leading to abscesses or cellulitis.
The most common outcome of home removal is permanent and disfiguring scarring, which can be far more noticeable than the original mole. Chemical methods often result in burns to the surrounding healthy skin, increasing the likelihood of an unsightly scar. Furthermore, DIY methods rarely remove the entire mole deep into the skin’s layers, meaning the growth is likely to reappear.
The gravest danger is the potential to misdiagnose a developing melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. If a cancerous mole is partially removed at home, it removes the tissue needed for an accurate diagnosis, delaying proper treatment. This interference complicates the physician’s ability to determine the cancer’s depth and stage, which is crucial for treatment planning. Always seek professional examination for any mole.
Professional Procedures for Safe Removal
When a mole needs to be removed, a medical professional chooses a safe method based on the mole’s size, depth, and whether it appears suspicious. One of the most common techniques for removing raised, non-cancerous flesh moles is shave excision. This procedure involves numbing the area with a local anesthetic and using a specialized blade to shave the mole flush with the surrounding skin. Bleeding is controlled through electrocautery, which uses heat to seal the blood vessels.
For moles that are deeper, larger, or show any signs of being atypical, surgical excision is typically the preferred method. After the area is numbed, the doctor uses a scalpel to remove the entire mole, along with a small margin of surrounding healthy skin. The wound is then closed with stitches. While this leaves a linear scar, it is the most reliable way to ensure complete removal of a deep growth.
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the mole tissue, and is generally reserved for very small, non-cancerous growths. The cold causes the tissue to blister and fall off, but this method is not suitable for deeper moles. Laser removal is occasionally used for flat, small, and lighter-colored moles, though it is less common for raised flesh moles.
The fundamental safety measure is that the removed tissue is almost always sent for histopathology, or biopsy. This microscopic analysis confirms the mole is benign or provides the specific diagnosis needed for treatment if it is cancerous.
Recognizing Moles That Require Immediate Medical Attention
Even when seeking removal for cosmetic reasons, it is important to know the signs that a mole is not benign and requires immediate professional screening. Dermatologists use the ABCDE criteria to identify moles that may indicate the presence of melanoma. These signs are crucial for early detection, which significantly improves treatment outcomes.
The criteria are:
- Asymmetry: If a line were drawn through the center of the mole, the two halves would not match.
- Border irregularity: The edges of the mole are ragged, notched, or blurred instead of smooth and well-defined.
- Color variation: The mole has multiple shades of color, such as different tones of brown, black, white, red, or blue.
- Diameter: The mole is typically larger than six millimeters, roughly the size of a standard pencil eraser.
- Evolving: Any change in the mole’s size, shape, color, or height over a short period.
Any mole that shows one or more of these characteristics, or begins to itch or bleed, should be evaluated by a medical professional right away.