Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Moles (nevi) are skin growths that result from an overgrowth of pigmentation cells called melanocytes. They may turn cancerous if they change in color or size.

There are several different types of moles, such as:

• Common (or acquired) mole: This harmless mole is typically smaller than the size of a pencil eraser, and can develop throughout a person’s lifetime. Common moles are described as being round or oval-shaped with a smooth surface, and may be some variation of pink, tan, or brown depending on your skin tone.
• Congenital mole: A type of mole you are born with, affecting about one in 100 people. A congenital mole can be small or large in size—and if it’s considered to be giant, a doctor may recommend removing it. Having a very large congenital mole can increase the chances of melanoma.
• Atypical mole: These moles look like the skin cancer melanoma, but are not. They are typically larger than a pencil eraser, have an abnormal shape, and may be more than one color. People with four or more atypical moles may be at higher risk of melanoma.
• Spitz nevus: This type of mole resembles melanoma, particularly in its raised, dome-shaped appearance and sometimes pink or multicolored appearance. Spitz nevi typically crop up before age 20, but older adults can develop them, too.

There are typically no physical symptoms associated with moles, other than their appearance.

Sometimes, moles can be itchy or change in appearance when inflamed, like after being scratched. Common moles have a specific set of features that distinguish them from melanoma (skin cancer) or other skin growths.

Overall, experts say common moles are usually:

• Mostly one color
• Flat or raised slightly
• Round or circular-shaped
• Mostly unchanging in their appearance, at least in the short-term

Common moles often share these characteristics, but they vary between people. For example, moles can:

• Appear anywhere on the skin, including areas like the soles of the feet, palms, scalp, and under the nails
• Differ widely in shape, size, and color
• Have hair growing on them
• Change slowly over time, get darker or lighter, or potentially disappear altogether

Moles form from an overgrowth of melanocytes, the skin cells that provide color.

This process typically begins during childhood and adolescence. Researchers have also noted that moles may be likely to develop when hormone levels are changing—like during puberty or pregnancy.

Who’s at Risk?

Anyone can develop a mole.

However, a few factors that can make it more likely that you will include:

Many moles are harmless and do not necessarily require an official diagnosis.

Keep a mental note of what any current moles on your body look like, so that you can have any suspicious-looking spots checked out by a doctor. They will be able to visually examine your mole and, if needed, take a biopsy to determine whether it’s a harmless growth or melanoma.

Signs that a mole may be melanoma include changes in its size, shape, color, or texture.

Most moles will not require any specific treatment.

There are a couple of signs that could require a mole removal, such as if it is:

• Suspected to be melanoma
• Easily irritated
• Raised to the point where it may be nicked by shaving
• Snagging on items like clothing or jewelry
• Bothersome in appearance

Mole removal can take place in a doctor’s office. They usually utilize a couple of different methods to do so:

• Surgical removal: It involves removing the entire mole beneath the skin and closing the incision with stitches.
• Surgical shaving: It involves using a professional blade tool to remove the mole from the top layer of the skin.

If the mole is suspicious, a doctor will send a skin cell sample to the laboratory for examination under the microscope.

There’s no surefire way to prevent moles from developing.

However, a couple of tips for protecting your skin health overall include.

• Perform skin self-exams.
• Keep your skin protected from the sun’s rays.
• See a doctor right away if you notice a mole that’s changing in appearance, itching, or bleeding.
• Seek out routine preventive skin exams, especially if you have 50 or more moles.

A main potential complication of having moles is melanoma. If you have numerous moles, data show you are at increased risk of developing melanoma.

If a skin growth that’s actually a melanoma goes untreated, there’s the potential for this cancer to spread to other parts of the body, such as the:

• Nearby tissues
• Lungs
• Bones
• Liver
• Brain