Mole, nevus, birthmark - all these are the names of a benign pigment formation on the skin of a person. Moles can be present on the skin from birth or appear throughout life, be of various colors (from light brown to black), rise above the skin or be completely flat - whatever the nevi, they are safe until they begin to degenerate into melanoma - cancer skin. Black moles on the body are especially prone to such degeneration in the presence of favorable conditions.
Causes of occurrence
The reason for the appearance of the most common mole is an excess of melanin pigment in the skin, which leads to the growth of melanocyte cells, their concentration is called nevus.
As for the black moles on the body, the reasons for the appearance of these formations are much more.
Why moles darken:
- Direct exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet light contributes to the appearance of both new birthmarks and the color change of existing ones, even black.
- Change in hormonal levels. Many black moles on the body can appear during pregnancy or during puberty.
- Systematic mechanical damage to the skin. This problem is typical for moles that are in places that are constantly exposed to shaving, rubbing with clothes. Such formations are recommended to be removed after consultation with a doctor.
- Hereditary factor. On a newborn’s body, a mole is rarely seen. There is a version that they are simply negligible to see them with the naked eye. But already at 2-3 years of life, nevi may appear on the child's body. And if one of the parents has black moles on the body, they can also be black in the baby.
- Bacterial or viral skin diseases.
- Exposure to x-ray or radiation.
If one of the black moles on the body for no reason has darkened even more, this is an occasion to immediately contact an oncodermatologist.
Safe Nevus
There are several classifications of moles, depending on the time of their appearance, color, size and appearance.
Black moles on the body are divided into:
- Flat. The most common formations do not cause concern if they are initially black. If the nevus has acquired a black color under the influence of any factors or for no reason at all, it is necessary to consult a doctor for diagnosis.
- Convex. The mole is slightly elevated above the surface of the skin. Such neoplasms should be observed and, at the slightest change, consult a specialist.
- Red and black. Such moles are extremely rare, so they can cause anxiety. As with the other black moles, the disease cannot be diagnosed solely on the basis of the color of the spot. Dangerous color change, a sharp change in the ratio of black and red colors.
- Hanging. Normally, these moles should be flesh or brown. If such a nevus is blackened, it means that it was damaged, blood stopped accessing it, and soon it will die. It is better not to let this situation go by chance and turn to a specialist about removal.
All of these moles are benign, provided that they have:
- diameter less than 0.5 cm;
- clearly defined oval or round shape;
- smooth surface.
Any deviation from the norm of even one black mole on the body is a reason for visiting a medical institution.
Suspicious Moles
In addition to ordinary moles, not causing concern to its owner, there are several types of nevi that can be dangerous not only for health but also for human life.
Dangerous neoplasms:
- Dysplastic moles - are characterized by black color, large diameter (over 5 mm), uneven contours, uneven color, can be convex.
- Melanoma, or skin cancer, is the most common human cancer disease. As a rule, a normal mole is reborn into melanoma under the influence of negative factors. This formation can be distinguished by multi-colored blotches that appear on the surface. In other cases, it can completely lose its color, begin to peel off, cause all sorts of discomfort.
In case of the slightest suspicion of degeneration of the nevus, it must be remembered that early diagnosis of melanoma can save lives.
Critical symptoms
Sometimes black moles on the body are located in such places that it can be difficult to independently evaluate their appearance. In such situations, other symptoms of a mole change should alert the owner.
Symptoms of nevus degeneration:
- bleeding from a mole;
- burning sensation, itching;
- hair loss from hair formation;
- the appearance of inflammation and ulcers;
- the surface of such a mole is rough, you can feel the scales.
Particular attention should be paid to moles that appeared after 35 years of age.
Self Diagnostic Methods
To make it easier for patients to remember what to look for when observing nevi, the doctors formulated the so-called FIGARO rule, which got its name from the first letters of 6 points that indicate a change in the mole.
FIGARO Rule:
- form - the formation is elevated above the level of the skin;
- a change in the size of the nevus, a markedly accelerated growth rate;
- the borders of the mole are fuzzy;
- asymmetry - 2 halves of the nevus differ from each other;
- size exceeds 0.5 cm;
- the color changes - multi-colored dots are added, it can completely discolor.
To make it easier to track the possible growth and color change of skin neoplasms, it is recommended to independently measure and record their diameter, photograph.
Establishing diagnosis
If a black mole appears on the body, it is impossible to limit oneself to self-diagnosis. Given the dangers of melanoma, only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis and decide whether to remove the mole.
Diagnostic Methods:
- patient survey - the doctor needs to know whether the patient has been exposed to direct sunlight, whether there is a hereditary factor, what is its general condition;
- dermatoscopy - a study of skin neoplasms without surgery;
- histology analysis - determination of the presence of malignant cells in the formation;
- blood test for tumor markers;
- general blood and urine tests;
- biopsy - taking a sample of mole tissue for analysis.
In the case of confirmation of the transformation of the mole into a malignant neoplasm, other diagnostic methods (CT, MRI) are used to determine the stage of the disease, the activity of cancer cells, and the presence of metastases.
Treatment and observation
If the appearance of a black mole on the body carries a probable danger of nevus for the life and health of the patient, the attending physician makes a decision to remove the formation.
Mole removal methods:
- using liquid nitrogen, or cryodestruction - getting rid of pathological formations using ultra-low temperature;
- laser elimination - phased removal of pigmented tissues, the least traumatic method, often used on the face;
- electrocoagulation - cauterization by current, unlike a laser forbidden for dark skin, suitable for any type of epidermis;
- excision with a radio knife, or radio wave method - the device does not come into contact with the skin, leaving no residue;
- surgical removal - it is recommended only for malignant tumors, as it allows to remove nearby tissues together with melanoma to prevent relapse.
The method of removal of the nevus is strictly individual and is selected by the attending physician on the basis of the type of mole, the patient’s analyzes, the characteristics of his skin and general health and immunity.
Risk group
There are groups of people who are particularly prone to degeneration of moles into malignant tumors.
The risk group includes:
- people over 35 years old who have new black dots, moles on the body;
- patients whose number of moles exceeds 50, regardless of age;
- people with fair skin, hair, eye color;
- nevus owners subject to hereditary factors;
- people with weak immunity.
To prevent the occurrence of melanoma, patients at risk are recommended to visit a dermatologist every 3 months, and for the rest of the mole owners, annually.
Preventative measures
If a person has a tendency to form black dots on the body, similar to moles, it is especially important to adhere to the following recommendations in order to avoid their transformation into oncology.
Prevention of melanoma:
- avoid exposure to direct sunlight, especially in the daytime, when the sun is most active;
- Do not visit the solarium;
- avoid mechanical damage to moles, if there are nevuses in places of constant rubbing with clothes, trauma with a razor, it is recommended to remove such formations after consulting a doctor;
- refuse synthetic materials that create a greenhouse effect and contribute to skin irritation;
- people with fair skin avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, regardless of the time of day.
In addition to all of the above, the treatment and removal of moles by folk methods is prohibited. Self-medication can aggravate the problem and delay the moment of correct diagnosis and the beginning of vital therapy.