On the body of each person you can find many birthmarks. Some are present since childhood, some appear in the process of life. By themselves, they are not dangerous, but many dermatologists strongly recommend periodically monitoring the condition of moles on the body. A cause for concern may be a change in the color of the birthmark or its increase. However, if it happened that the mole fell off on its own or as a result of mechanical damage, then this is a serious reason to seek medical advice. Let's see what such precautions might be related to.
What are moles?
Birthmarks are some of the congenital or acquired skin defects resulting from a certain growth of the epithelium of the skin containing the melanin pigment. Congenital moles can appear in a person several months after birth. Acquired arise at different periods of life, especially intensely manifested during certain hormonal changes. Moles are considered benign formations that are not prone, in most cases, to the development of oncological processes. However, dermatologists strongly recommend monitoring their changes.
But do not worry. According to statistics, skin cancer develops from areas of the skin that do not contain birthmarks in eighty percent of cases and only twenty percent of them develop.
Nevertheless, a very serious reason to visit a medical institution for the purpose of counseling is the situation when a mole has fallen off. This is not always evidence of skin diseases. However, it is better to play it safe, undergo appropriate diagnostics and identify the causes of this circumstance.
It is worth remembering that skin cancer diagnosed on time is successfully cured without leaving any health consequences. And advanced cases are difficult to treat and even lead to death.
Reasons for self-falling away
Many people are wondering if a mole can fall off by itself. Maybe with certain external or internal factors. So, for example, it happens that a hanging mole falls in an uncomfortable place due to mechanical damage.
In addition, there are many more reasons. So, the consequences that led to the fact that the mole fell off can be the following:
- Mechanical damage due to combing, wearing scratching jewelry, shaving, etc.
- The presence of skin cancer. As a rule, in such cases, the birthmark disappears due to a certain mutational process in this area of the skin
- Problems with blood circulation. Nutrition does not reach the skin and the mole falls off on its own.
Causes of hanging mole falling away
A birthmark that rises high above the skin is often injured and falls away. However, a mole itself may fall off under the influence of various hormonal disorders in the body or also in connection with the development of cancer. At the same time, it can be just a harmless old papilloma, resembling a birthmark in appearance. Hanging moles are considered the most dangerous, since mainly from them malignant formations develop. Therefore, doctors examine them most carefully. If you notice any changes occurring with this type of birthmark, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Dangerous symptoms
If you notice that the mole is drying up and falling off, then this is a serious reason for going to the doctor. As a rule, such a symptom indicates the beginning of the transformation of the birthmark into an oncological neoplasm. Symptoms associated with the fact that the mole has dried up and fallen off may include itching, burning, and there may also be certain unpleasant or even painful sensations.
Also, symptoms that indicate that you need to see a doctor immediately are bleeding a birthmark, peeling, and a change in shape and size.
After uninstall
If you have performed laser removal of a birthmark in a special medical institution, then a crust forms in its place, as a normal process, indicating the healing of the skin. Do not worry if after a certain time the crust falls off after removing the mole on its own.
Do not rip it off yourself. After all, in an unhealed wound, you can bring an infection or provoke the formation of a scar. If the crust fell off after removing the mole too early, exposing the unhealed layer of skin, then do not worry. It is necessary to treat the wound with antiseptic agents and do not touch it with dirty hands.
Diagnostics
If you began to notice changes occurring with your birthmark, it is better to consult a specialist. There are two areas in medicine that deal with this problem - oncology and dermatology. For advice, you can contact the doctors of these areas.
As a rule, the main method for diagnosing a birthmark that has disappeared is histology. A sample of the birthmark tissue is submitted for analysis, where it is determined by various frauds whether it is a malignant formation.
Another diagnostic method, often used in practice, is dermatoscopy. With this method of analysis, using a special device, the skin area with a problematic birthmark is enlarged and carefully examined for pathological changes.
Also, several diagnostic methods are often used to obtain a more reliable result.
Treatment
Mole fell off, what to do? First of all, do not panic, but letting it all drift is also undesirable. The first thing to do is to make an appointment with an oncologist or dermatologist. After diagnosis, there are two options for the development of events.
In the first case, if the birthmark still turned out to be a malignant formation, an operation is ahead to remove the affected skin layers.
If the mole is safe, then it is worthwhile to apply certain measures for its healing. As a rule, the doctor himself prescribes special healing and disinfecting drugs.
Prevention
The most reliable and best prevention to ensure that a birthmark does not bring any unpleasant and serious consequences is the person’s attention to his various modifications.
If you notice any strange symptoms in the form of peeling, itching, redness and bleeding, then do not be afraid to see a doctor. Also, the reason for contacting a specialist is an increase in the size of the birthmark, a change in its color.
The appearance of a large number of moles is a suspicious symptom requiring specialist advice. It is also worthwhile to beware if the mole has fallen off by itself or has begun to fall off in parts. It is important to remember that in time a diagnosed malignancy is successfully cured without any consequences in ninety-five percent of cases.
Also of great importance in the prevention of malignant tumors of birthmarks is thorough skin care in the summer. The activity of ultraviolet radiation can cause serious problems. It is recommended not only before tanning, but just before leaving the house on a sunny day to apply a special sunscreen.
Removing birthmarks in places where there is a risk of mechanical damage is also recommended. As a rule, this is the neck area, where people often wear various kinds of chains, the armpit area, in men it can also be a shaving area on the face.
Risk factors
Determining when a fallen mole is a malignant formation is very difficult on its own. However, there are certain risk factors, falling into the category of which a person should be more attentive to the condition of his skin and birthmarks in particular.
So, the following set of factors affects the possibility of developing a malignant birthmark from a birthmark:
- Gender of the patient. As a rule, women are less prone to such a problem. Most often, this kind of oncology is found in men.
- The location. Birthmarks that are localized in the area of the hands are unlikely to be hazardous to health.
- Type of birthmark. Hanging moles in this regard are more dangerous than ordinary ones. Specialists pay careful attention to them.
It is also worth noting that people who differ in white skin, the presence of a large number of birthmarks and apical rashes are prone to this pathology. Also, the development of such diseases is affected by a genetic predisposition, that is, the presence of relatives with a similar problem, and old age.
However, do not panic if the mole has fallen off or any other changes have occurred to it. You just need to see a doctor. And even if the diagnosis is disappointing, malignant tumors on the skin can be easily treated with the help of modern medical techniques.