Moles are wonderful, they are part of our appearance and have become a kind of fetish more than once in the history of human existence. Remember the birthmarks of Marilyn Monroe or Cindy Crawford, don't they really give the appearance of these women a certain sexuality and even mystery? But no matter how beautiful these small dots on the body are, they can sometimes become part of a big problem - melanoma. We will tell you how to prevent its occurrence.
What are we dealing with
Looking at the next "mark" on the body, it is important to understand what you are dealing with. As dermatologists say, all birthmarks are moles, but not all moles are birthmarks.
Moles appear as a result of the accumulation of pigment cells in uniformly rounded or oval specks up to 5 mm in size. They usually have a smooth surface and a color that can range from light brown and even almost flesh to black.
Most often, moles appear at the age of 5-6 years, and then during puberty. Moles can appear at an older age, and then they will need special attention.
Should you be afraid of them
Everybody has moles, some have more, some have less. If they do not cause discomfort, then you should not touch them. It is enough to monitor the shape of the spots and periodically visit a dermatologist as part of a general annual health check.
However, when springs become a problem, they start to itch, change in shape and become inflamed. In this case, an appointment with a dermatologist is necessary. The doctor will help determine the benign or malignant origin of the mole and prescribe treatment. When started on time, it will help prevent the development of melanoma.
Remember - in no case should you remove a mole on your own, or, upon discovering a problem, go to a beautician who will independently appoint a way to remove a neoplasm. All actions should be determined exclusively by the attending physician.
Who is at risk
It is believed that people with fair skin and light or red hair are at risk for developing skin cancers. It is also worth being on the lookout for those who have freckles on their bodies and who have noticed an intolerance to the strong sun - the skin quickly burns and turns red under bright rays (see also: Rules for sun protection for skin after 30 years).
Also, those who have a lot of them on the body need to be attentive to the spots on the body. You need to keep track of the quantity, shape and color.
When to sound the alarm
The correct form of moles is symmetrical, it is she who most often speaks of health, but, alas, sometimes symmetry can also indicate emerging problems. There is a small test that will help determine the nature of the appearance of spots on the body.
Draw a straight line from the chin to the lower abdomen, which will divide your body in two equal halves, and examine the skin. If there are two mirrored moles on the body, which are at an equal distance from the line and at the same height (they must completely duplicate the location of each other), then there is a possibility that these formations are malignant.
In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor, he will help you do all the necessary tests and accurately check the nature of the moles.
Photo: Getty Images
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