There was a post on here about birthmarks and it got me thinking. I used to think that it was to do with too much exposure to the sun and stuff but I have loads all over my body, including parts that would pretty much always be covered. Can someone please explain how and why they formed? And is there a way to get rid of them?
Cheers
In: Biology
A mole or birthmark is just an abnormal skin growth. Many are present at birth, meaning you always had them. Some develop later in life. We’re always making new skin cells so it’s not uncommon for random abnormal growths to occur. The overwhelming majority of the time these are harmless. Moles can be removed easily by a dermatologist, although if the mole is the large or protrudes deep in the skin, you made need a few stitches.
Like I said before, the vast majority of moles are harmless, but atypical moles can be a warning sign for skin cancer. The ABCDE warning signs can help you determine if your mole is normal or atypical. If you’re unsure, see you’re doctor.
**A is for Asymmetry.** Most melanomas are asymmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves don’t match. Harmless moles are almost always circular or oval.
**B is for Border.** Borders tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges. Common moles tend to have smoother, more even borders.
**C is for Color.** Multiple colors are a warning sign. Benign moles are usually a single shade of brown or red. A melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan, red, or black.
**D is for Diameter.** Most common moles are less than a cm in diameter. A larger mole may be abnormal.
**E is for Evolving.** Any change in size, shape, color or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new symptom in it, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, may be a warning sign to see your doctor.
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