Moles

Most people have moles. Moles are clusters of the cell that gives your skin pigment, the melanocyte. Benign moles are harmless; whereas atypical moles or those that are changing may be a sign of a problem like melanoma, a life-threatening type of skin cancer. If you have a mole that concerns you, Adam Whittington, MD, and providers at Whittington Dermatology in Munster and Hobart, Indiana, can provide the evaluation and care you need. Call the office or schedule an appointment for your moles online today.

What are moles?

Moles are benign skin growths made up of a cluster of melanocytes, your pigment-producing cells. Most people have moles. They often appear during childhood and adolescence. These moles may darken or lighten during this time, but they aren’t a serious health concern.

In adults, new or changing moles are potential signs of melanoma, a serious type of cancer. 

What are the types of moles?

Not all moles look the same and carry different risk factors. The types of moles include:

Common moles

Common moles are small, brown, black, or skin-colored growths that usually appear before adulthood. These moles are harmless.

Atypical moles

Atypical moles are large moles with an odd shape. These types of moles may turn into melanoma and need close monitoring.

Congenital moles

Any mole you’re born with is a congenital mole. These types of moles vary in size.

Acquired moles

Any mole you develop after you’re born is an acquired mole. People with light-colored skin can have 10 to 40 acquired moles. 

When do I need dermatology care for moles?

You need dermatology care at Whittington Dermatology if you have any concerning moles, whether they cause discomfort because of their location or size or you have concerns they might be cancer.

Whittington Dermatology recommends you monitor your moles and use the acronym ABCDE when evaluating for melanoma. ABCDE stands for:

• Asymmetry (not uniform in shape)
• Border (irregular border)
• Color (irregular coloring)
• Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser)
• Evolving (mole is changing over time)

If you have moles that are changing or look like melanoma, schedule a skin cancer screening at Whittington Dermatology right away.

What are the treatments for moles?

Treatment for moles depends on type and location. Before making any recommendations, your dermatologist at Whittington Dermatology examines your skin and the mole or moles of concern.

Your dermatologist may remove any suspicious moles and send the sample to the lab for analysis. If your moles are cancerous, your dermatologist may have you come in for additional treatments to remove all cancerous skin cells.

Moles are common and not usually a major health concern. To find out more about your moles, call Whittington Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today.