Moles are the majority of the members of the mammal family Talpidae in the order Soricomorpha. Although most moles burrow, some species are aquatic or semi-aquatic. Moles have cylindrical bodies covered in fur with small or covered eyes; the ears are generally not visible. They eat small invertebrate animals living underground. Moles can be found in North America, Europe and Asia.
What causes moles?
Most moles are simply the result of a harmless proliferation of the pigment cells within the deeper layer of the skin. A few of these moles, called congenital melanonaevi, are usually present at birth. But most develop spontaneously or are caused by exposure to sunlight and tend to appear on those areas of the skin that catch the most sunlight.
Dysplastic moles (nevi) are common, and many people have a few of these abnormal moles. The risk of melanoma is greatest for people who have a large number of dysplastic nevi. The risk is especially high for people with a family history of both dysplastic nevi and melanoma.
Large moles present at birth. Large moles that are present at birth are called congenital nevi or giant hairy nevi. These moles may increase your risk of malignant melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. In general, moles that are more than the size of a closed fist pose the greatest risk.
Symptoms of Moles
Color. They can be flesh-colored, reddish-brown, medium to dark brown, or blue.
Shape. They can vary in shape from oval to round.
Size. They can be as small as a pinhead or large enough to cover an entire limb.
Generally, moles are less than one-quarter of an inch large.
In men, melanoma most often occurs on the trunk. In women, melanoma is most often found on the arms and lower legs. It is found most often in people with fair skin. African-Americans and people with dark skin are more likely to have melanoma on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
To examine the cause of moles that become melanoma it is important to know if the person has a family history of skin cancer. Most skin cancers are hereditary and if you have moles that are weird looking, you should be examined and monitored regularly by a dermatologist. The cause of moles that appear in the skin is the strong UV rays.
Treatment of Moles
The majority of moles and other blemishes are benign (not-cancerous). They will never be a threat to the health of the person. Spots or blemishes that warrant medical concern are those that do something out of the ordinary -- those that act differently from other existing moles. This includes any spot that changes in size, shape color, bleeds, itches, becomes painful, or moles that appear when a person is past twenty.
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