Every day the human body is subject to change. They occur inside the body: cells of vital organs are renewed; slowly but surely, new neurons form in the brain; blood and lymph are cleansed. Changes occur outside: the old and roughened skin disappears, at the place of which layers of fresh epidermis appear.
Also, from time to time, pigmented neoplasms can appear on the skin - nevi, which are more often called simply moles. Some people on their bodies can have one hundred or even more, large and not very large. Others have only a few. Their quantity is not so important as their quality.
What are moles talking about?
Despite the fact that dermatologists classify most moles as simple cosmetic defects, it is always worth paying close attention to these formations, since often their pace of development, nature, size and color can say a lot about the state of human health.
In fact, they are real indicators informing about the appearance of a serious threat to health and vital functions - skin cancer. For various reasons, one of which is immunodeficiency, the cells of an ordinary and unremarkable mole mutate and transform into melanoma - a malignant tumor of the skin that quickly progresses and subsequently affects the internal organs.
No worries
Many patients, having experienced an itch in the area of a mole, read out information in unreliable sources and immediately make a terrible diagnosis. In most cases, their fears are not confirmed, since the itch itself does not mean anything.
Therefore, it is necessary to give an answer to the question why a mole is itching, what are the reasons for this urge, and find out the possible consequences. And only after making sure that fears nevertheless have a basis, seek qualified help.
Possible causes of itching
- Regular rubbing of the place where the mole is located.
Often, nevi appear in places that are not most comfortable for them on the surface of the dermis (upper back, armpits, hips), which are rubbed with clothing made from coarse fabric, leather or accessories.
Vitamin deficiency brings with it problems that appear not only inside the body, but also outside. One of its symptoms is just skin itching, which can affect random parts of the body, especially the places where the nevi are located. Therefore, if itches around the mole, then the reason for this may be precisely the lack of vitamins of group A.
- Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Ultraviolet in small doses is useful, but in excess of normal amounts, it is harmful to the skin. Moreover, excessive exposure to the sun is dangerous not only a burn, but also the likelihood of melanoma.
Quite often, moles itch due to a bite of a midge or mosquito located near them.
- Imbalance in the hormonal system.
More likely for women during pregnancy. Hormonal malfunctions are a fairly common phenomenon in this period. One sign of such a malfunction is a feeling of itching near the nevi.
Many diseases from the groups of dermatitis or dermatoses manifest through peeling and itching of the skin on which moles can be located.
Mole locations
The appearance of new moles on the body, namely their number and location, is impossible to predict. They can occur symmetrically throughout the body or only in certain places. They can even on constantly contacting surfaces (palms and feet, fingers and toes), a few pieces a day or just a couple a year.
However, one of the most problematic places where a nevus may appear is the back. In this case, the neoplasm cannot be studied independently, you have to either ask for the help of friends and relatives, or go to a dermatologist.
Also, it can be quite difficult for a person due to physiological characteristics to reach with his hands to some areas of the back, to the shoulder blades, for example. Therefore, if a mole is scratched on the back, then it will be difficult to scratch it, which certainly is not a minus, but a plus.
What does the mole itch mean?
Many patients are falsely aware of the nature and consequences of this itching. They are sure that such an itch is deadly and speaks of the transformation of a mole into melanoma. However, it must be understood that itching in 99 percent of cases only says that the skin needs to be cleansed of the coarse top layer or in vitamins, or for other reasons mentioned above. Nothing terrible will happen if you scratch a mole or the area around it with a fingertip.
It is worth noting that itching is indeed one of the symptoms of the formation and progression of skin cancer. But exclusively in conjunction with other symptoms, which will be discussed below.
- Burning and tingling sensation.
These sensations cannot be confused with itching or anything else. They say that mole cells increase in number, gradually growing, which is not a positive trend.
A dangerous phenomenon is the growth of a mole, in which one part of it becomes darker or lighter, more convex and densified. In this case, the nevus begins to look different, fuzzy edges and strange inclusions form, the shape becomes asymmetric. If the mole itches and grows, then it is worth checking if there are other negative symptoms.
When professional help is needed
Hair loss from a mole in most cases indicates a malignant transformation of the mole, since only cancer cells, by virtue of their structure, cannot form “channels” for hair.
If the mole festers and bleeds, then this indicates that it was badly damaged at some point in time. This is fraught with the formation of melanoma, so in this case a trip to the doctor becomes inevitable.
As mentioned above, the condition in itself, when a mole or the area around it is itching, is not dangerous. However, if, in conjunction with itching, the other listed symptoms appear, then you can not delay a visit to a dermatologist who will make a professional diagnosis and, in extreme cases, give a direction to an oncologist.
What to do if only itching bothers?
If other symptoms, in addition to itching, are not observed, and there is no time, means to visit a doctor, then you can help yourself at home in the following ways.
Lotions of green tea help well, they soothe the skin and soften it. In order to make a lotion, you need to brew a natural (preferably whole leaf) green tea and soak a cotton pad, which should then be applied for a quarter of an hour to the problem area of the skin.
- Soft, comfortable clothes.
When a patient visits a dermatologist with a question like: “Birthmark is itching, what should I do?”, In many cases the first advice he receives from a specialist is to wear loose clothing. Often, itching on the skin appears due to its regular friction with uncomfortable clothes or accessories. In some cases, moles in problem areas are advised to be removed in order to avoid unnecessary trouble and loss of nerves in the future.
- Creams and baby shampoos.
Sometimes moles itch due to skin irritation caused by the aggressive effect of shampoo. In this case, you need to temporarily switch to baby shampoo and use a moisturizer until the skin recovers.
Is it possible to scratch the nevus?
It is not forbidden to put a little pressure on the mole, massage it with a fingertip to get rid of the disturbing itch. Just do not abuse these actions, since inadvertently you can damage the nevus, which is expressed by its redness or peeling. And this can already lead to the transformation of a mole and its development into malignant melanoma.
General conclusion
The formation of moles is a phenomenon that has not yet been fully studied. The exact reason for their appearance is unknown, and it is also impossible to say for sure whether the mole will grow into a malignant melanoma.
Often, that this process has a place to be, says a feeling of itching of the nevus or the area around it. However, to talk about a serious pathology in this case is meaningless, since itchy skin can be caused by other reasons. It makes sense to talk about melanoma only when there are more than one symptom. In conjunction with itching, this can be a burning sensation, a change in the contours and the growth of a mole, its rotting or bleeding.
Thus, the answer to the question: "Mole itching, what does this mean?" the following thesis can serve: itching itself is not dangerous, but if other symptoms are added to it, then you should immediately seek help from a specialist.