The appearance of moles on the feet, as well as on any other parts of the body, cannot be prevented by any special methods. However, some moles or nevi (according to official medical terminology) can cause significant discomfort in a person’s daily life. The appearance of a nevus on the foot is of particular interest to the wearer, since the feet are that part of the body that is constantly exposed to external pressure due to walking and wearing shoes.
Causes of moles
The first moles in children appear throughout the body after the first year of life. In this case, the newborn baby does not have moles on the body at all. The appearance of nevi throughout life depends on various factors. For example, adolescents discover new moles during puberty and intensive restructuring of the whole organism; girls notice the appearance of nevi during pregnancy, as well as after breastfeeding and childbirth.
The list of other causes of moles includes:
- wrong lifestyle;
- lack of ultraviolet radiation in the body;
- hereditary problems;
- hormonal disruptions;
- oncology and diseases of internal organs;
- frequent stressful situations and overwork.
Usually, all moles in a healthy person appear by the age of 25. Around this age, the growth of existing and the appearance of new moles ceases. The opposite process takes place: nevi gradually fade and decrease in size.
The mechanism of the appearance of moles
The principles of the appearance of nevi on the human body do not differ, that is, a mole on the heel is no different from a mole on the cheek. The problem is the excessive amount of melanocytes produced in the layers of the dermis. Depending on how much excess of these substances was produced, one or several moles of various sizes appear in a particular place. The pigment appears on the surface of the skin and is grouped into a single entity, which is called the nevus.
Unorthodox medicine, in turn, attributes the formation of moles in a particular place to an inflammatory process or disease that is associated with a given part of the body. In this case, the nevi is the result of the body struggling with the disease. According to this theory, the appearance of a spot after 25 years is different from the formation of a mole in children, which may well become a cause for concern for its carrier. Nevertheless, such a nevus is most often benign in nature, therefore, does not need surgical intervention.
The danger of the nevus on the feet
The worst place for a mole is the soles of the feet, because they are used daily for walking, they are often prone to injuries when wearing low-quality shoes. These factors together increase the risk of degeneration of the initially benign tumor into a malignant tumor. Even more unfortunate place for a mole on the foot can be called the space between the fingers.
The formation of nevi in such places should alert the owner and become an occasion for visiting a doctor. Definitely, you should not postpone a consultation with a specialist for those who have or have had relatives in the family with skin cancer. The main rule when detecting these formations is that you can not engage in self-medication. Even an understanding of how to remove a mole at home is not considered a sufficient argument in favor of self-medication.
Negative signs of mole change
Some changes in the condition of the nevus are a signal to visit a doctor immediately. These signs are usually considered by specialists as follows:
- The appearance of the rim around the mole, which differs from it in color. This also includes the appearance of dots of red, purple or black color inside the mole itself.
- Mole periodically or constantly burns and itches.
- The spot has changed its structure, has become denser than before in the same place.
- Rapid increase in mole size.
- Pain from the nevus in the center or along its edges.
- Blurry and asymmetric boundaries of education.
To the question of whether it is necessary to remove moles with such signs, only a doctor can unequivocally answer. It is possible that these formations will simply require constant monitoring and observation in the clinic. As a rule, examinations of such formations take place once every three months.
Types of nevi on the feet
Moles on the feet are divided into four types, among which:
- Flat - harmless pigment spots that do not grow and do not change over the course of life.
- Hanging. Otherwise, they are also called "moles on the leg."
- Convex and large. Their growth and formation occur in the lower layers of the dermis. Due to this, hair that is in higher skin can grow through them.
- Pigmented. They are excellent in color, which varies from black or blue to red or pink.
Black and red moles are not a cause for panic, but require examination by a specialist. Angiomas, which are convex and pink in appearance, are mainly formed due to problems with the hormonal background and disruption of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If a flat mole appears on the foot, then most likely it will not pose any danger, however, its condition should be monitored as closely as any other kind of nevi.
The danger of developing melanoma
Most people, unfortunately, are not inclined to pay particular attention to moles that appear on their feet. Even plantar nevi rarely pay attention until they begin to seriously disturb. The determination of the fact that dangerous or non-dangerous moles in adults depends on the location of the formation. Doctors say that the feet are the part of the body where the risk of nevus degenerating into malignant is quite high.
Melanoma (skin cancer) can develop at any age in every person. In addition to heredity, there are a number of factors due to which some people are more prone to oncology of the skin. The risk is higher for those who have fair skin, as it is more prone to pigmentation.
Depending on the position of the mole on the foot, the risk of its degeneration into a tumor also varies. So, the nevi on the outside of the foot and sole are much more dangerous than others. The worst arrangement is considered to be between the third and first toes due to the higher risk of injury to the formation when running or walking.
What nevi need to be removed
Some signs indicate that you will have to resort to the help of a surgeon. To determine whether you want to remove the mole, you must first familiarize yourself with the list of signs, in the presence of which the doctor usually prescribes a surgical operation:
- Bad mole location. This includes the outside of the sole, fingers and feet.
- The presence of a bulge or "hanging legs".
- Any noticeable signs of degeneration of education into melanoma.
- Hindrances when walking, engagement of parts of the shoe for the nevus.
The postoperative period does not pass painlessly, it is the official reason for the registration of sick leave for disability. A mole on the heel, foot, sole, or fingers after removal will leave a small wound that needs rest for speedy healing.
The healing period after surgery
The first two weeks, the operating wound will “pull” in a calm state. In this case, there is no need to worry. Sutures are necessarily applied to the wound, and light discomfort implies the active action of healing processes. During physical exertion and walking, the discomfort can be somewhat more significant.
Complete excision will heal in about four to six weeks from the day of surgery. It is highly recommended that you track any visual changes in the postoperative period. Thus, the risk of any possible complications after removing the mole on the foot is minimized.
How to remove the nevi on the feet
Modern medicine offers five ways to remove moles. The suitable option is jointly selected with the attending physician, it depends on the type and characteristics of education:
- Laser removal. It proved itself due to the complete absence of pain and the quick operation, safety and the impossibility of recurrence of education.
- Scalpel. It is performed under local anesthesia. The doctor captures a portion of healthy tissue. After the operation, a scar remains.
- Cryodestruction. Removal occurs under the influence of ice, carbonic acid or liquid nitrogen. The operation is good due to painlessness, but expensive.
- Electrocoagulation By the method of exposure to high temperatures, the mole is cauterized together with a healthy area of the skin. It can not be performed with high pain sensitivity.
- Radiosurgery. Nevus is destroyed due to the action of radioactive radiation. Completely eliminates moles, has a disinfecting effect. No complications.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. But if you ask the doctor about how to remove a mole at home and whether it is worth doing it, then he will definitely recommend any available operation performed by professionals.