Moles Information
Mole, also known as melanocytic nevus, is a particular type of skin lesions that contains melanocytes, a distinct type of nevus cells. Round and oval-shaped moles can grow either under the skin or above it. Their black color is derived from the build up of melanin, the body’s pigmenting agent. They can emerge anywhere on the skin in a lonely or cluster forms.
Although children are more prone to developing moles yet elders may also have a number of moles on their bodies. The baby born with moles is most likely to have a cluster of moles before reaching middle age. The moles generally do not change their size and color meaning thereby they are harmless; however, any significant change may appear alarming and a symptom of skin cancer.
Dermatologists classify the moles into three different categories: congenital, acquired and dysplastic. The congenital moles surface on the skin at the time of birth and remain small in size with least chances of becoming cancerous. The acquired moles emerge in early childhood or adulthood with possibility of becoming worrisome skin disease. The last type dysplastic moles are remarkably large in size comprising 7 mm diametrically; they keep on changing their shape and color, therefore proper diagnosis is must for determining the actual condition.
Genes and UV rays are the two main causes that lead to the development of moles. Parents with dysplastic moles transmit this disease to their off springs. On the other hand, ultraviolet rays of the sun are considered to be a major cause of skin moles only because they get developed mostly on those parts of the skin that are clearly exposed to the UV rays. Similarly people with dark skin have least moles is another evidence of the fact that it is UV rays that cause moles.
Before starting treatment, it is better to make a careful diagnosis in order to ensure that the lesions are free of melanoma. If it is diagnosed to be melanoma, there is no option other than removing moles through surgery. Here such moles are removed through electrocautery, a procedure in which electrical current is used to burn the moles off the skin. Electric currents penetrate into the affected skin layers and easily remove the moles. Since this is a painful procedure, it must be preceded by the application of anesthesia.
Normal moles can be treated by freezing method in which liquid nitrogen is topically applied on pigmented lesions which wipes them out with a scalpel. These moles may also be removed with the help of natural oils like tea tree oil, castor oil. These oils firstly dry them up and their repetitive application according to given prescription eventually drop them off.

