Understand the dangers behind moles

Do you notice the moles you have on your body? Do you know how many moles you have? Do you see if they are undergoing any changes over time? There are several important aspects that must be observed to know if the mole can represent a problem for your health.

What are spots?

According to dermatologist Dr. Cristiane Dal Magro, moles, scientifically called nevi, are made up of groups of melanocytes, which are pigment-producing cells in the skin. They can be congenital (from birth) or acquired (which appear from the second year of life).

How do moles appear?

These marks arise by genetic tendency and are influenced by sun exposure. And that’s where the danger lives: they can turn into evil because of solar radiation. To assess your moles more accurately, it’s important to pay attention to some specific points.

evil moles

According to the doctor. Cristiane Dal Magro, the evil moles are: “injuries that look like moles, but differ in some respects: they are asymmetrical, that is, if we look at both halves, they will be different from each other; the edges are jagged; they can have different colors, sometimes they are black and the diameter is always greater than 0.6 mm”, lists the dermatologist. These characteristics are known as ABCD (Asymmetry, Edge, Color and Diameter).

Skin cancer

Skin cancer, according to Dr. Cristiane Dal Magro, presents itself in the form of malignant lesions, that is, they grow in a disorderly way and can invade nearby tissues or spread through the circulation. There are different types of skin cancer, some more invasive and some less. “Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are usually less aggressive and appear as red areas with crusts or wounds that do not heal”, explains the specialist.

Melanoma

Melanoma, according to the dermatologist, is “a dark lesion, which can resemble a mole in the early stages”. Some of them are born in areas of the body with a lot of sun exposure, others come from existing moles. However, it can also appear on skin that has no other lesions.

Risk factors

It goes without saying that everyone should protect themselves against sun damage, but some people are more likely to develop skin cancer than others. Some of the main risk factors for melanoma are:

• Red-haired or blond individuals with light eyes;
• People with freckles from childhood;
• Personal or family history of melanoma;
• Childhood sunburn (with peeling skin);
• People with lots of moles.

prevention and diagnosis

As for disease prevention measures, the doctor explains: “Care for avoid sunburn and avoiding sun exposure at times of stronger sunlight, from 10 am to 4 pm, help to prevent all skin cancers’, says Dr. Cristiane Dal Magro. However, as the dermatologist explains, a consultation with the dermatologist is essential for the early diagnosis and treatment of these problems.