Moles Freckles Skin Tags Lentigines &Seborrheic Keratoses
(Also Called 'Moles, Freckles, Skin Tags, Lentigines, and Seborrheic Keratoses')
There are several skin lesions that are very common
and almost always benign (non-cancerous). These conditions include moles,
freckles, skin tags, benign lentigines, and seborrheic keratoses.
What is a mole?
Moles are growths on the skin that are usually
brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups.
Most moles appear in early childhood and during the
first 20 years of a person's life. Some moles might not appear until later in
life. It is normal to have between 10 to 40 moles by adulthood.
As the years pass, moles usually change slowly,
becoming raised and lighter in color. Often, hairs develop on the mole. Some
moles will not change at all, while others will slowly disappear over time.
What causes a mole?
Moles occur when cells in the skin grow in a
cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These cells are called
melanocytes, and they make the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Moles
might darken after exposure to the sun, during the teen years, and during pregnancy.
What should I look for when examining my moles?
Most moles are benign. The only moles that are of
medical concern are those that look different than other existing moles or those
that first appear after age 20. If you notice changes in a mole's color, height,
size, or shape, you should have a dermatologist (skin doctor) evaluate it. You
also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or
become tender or painful.
Examine your skin with a mirror or ask someone to help
you. Pay special attention to areas of your skin that are often exposed to the
sun, such as the hands, arms, chest, neck, face, and ears.
If your moles do not change over time, there is little
reason for concern. If you see any signs of change in an existing mole, if you
have a new mole, or if you want a mole to be removed for cosmetic reasons, talk
to your dermatologist.
The following ABCDEs are important signs of moles that
could be cancerous. If a mole displays any of the signs listed below, have it
checked immediately by a dermatologist:
- Asymmetry — One half of the mole does not match the other half.
- Border — The border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred, or
- Color — The color of the mole is not the same throughout or has shades
of tan, brown, black, blue, white, or red.
- Diameter — The diameter of a mole is larger than the eraser of a pencil.
- Elevation/Evolution — A mole appears elevated, or raised from the
skin. Are the moles changing over time?
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. The most common
location for melanoma in men is the back; in women, it is the lower leg.
Melanoma is the most common cancer in women ages 25 to 29.
What are the different types of moles?
Congenital nevi are moles that appear at birth.
Congenital nevi occur in about one in 100 people. These moles might be more
likely to develop into melanoma than are moles that appear after birth. If the
mole is more than eight inches in diameter, it poses more risk of becoming cancerous.
Dysplastic nevi are moles that are larger
than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to
have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These moles
tend to be hereditary. People with dysplastic nevi might have more than 100
moles and have a greater chance of developing malignant (cancerous) melanoma.
Any changes in the mole should be checked by a dermatologist to detect skin cancer.
How are moles treated?
If a dermatologist believes the mole needs to be
evaluated further or removed entirely, he or she will first take a biopsy (small
tissue sample of the mole) to examine thin sections of the tissue under a
microscope. This is a simple procedure. (If the dermatologist thinks the mole
might be cancerous, cutting through the mole will not cause the cancer to spread.)
If the mole is found to be cancerous, the
dermatologist will remove the entire mole by cutting out the entire mole and a
rim of normal skin around it, and stitching the wound closed.
What is a skin tag?
A skin tag is a small flap of tissue that hangs
off the skin by a connecting stalk. Skin tags are benign and are not dangerous.
They are usually found on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts, or
in the groin area. Skin tags appear most often in women, especially with weight
gain, and in middle-aged and elderly people.
Skin tags usually don’t cause any pain. However, they
can become irritated if anything such as clothing or jewelry rubs on them.
How are skin tags treated?
Your dermatologist can remove a skin tag by
cutting it off with a scalpel or scissors, with cryotherapy (freezing it off),
or with electrosurgery (burning with an electric current).
What is a lentigo?
A lentigo (plural: lentigines) is a spot on the
skin that is darker (usually brown) than the surrounding skin. Lentigines are
more common among Caucasian patients, especially those with fair skin, but can occur in anyone.
What are the causes of lentigines?
Exposure to the sun seems to be the major cause of
lentigines. Lentigines most often appear on parts of the body that get the most
sun, including the face and hands. Some lentigines might be caused by genetics
(family history) or by medical procedures such as radiation therapy.
How are lentigines treated?
There are several methods for treating lentigines:
- Cryotherapy (freezing it off)
- Laser surgery
- Creams that are applied to the skin (These include retinoids and bleaching agents.)
Can lentigines be prevented?
The best way to prevent lentigines is to stay out
of the sun as much as possible. Use sunscreen when outdoors, and avoid using a
tanning bed to get a suntan.
What are freckles?
Freckles are small brown spots usually found on the face and arms. Freckles are extremely common and are not a health threat. They are more often seen in the summer, especially among lighter-skinned people and people with light or red hair. However, freckles can occur in anyone, and appear as darker brown spots in people with darker skin. Both men and women get freckles at an equal rate.
What causes freckles?
Causes of freckles include genetics, diseases
(such as xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare disease that causes an increased
sensitivity to ultraviolet light, such as the sun), and exposure to the sun.
What is the treatment for freckles?
Since freckles are almost always harmless, there
really is no need to treat them. As with many skin conditions, it’s best to
avoid the sun as much as possible, or use a sunscreen. This is especially
important because people who freckle easily (such as lighter-skinned people) are
more likely to develop skin cancer.
If you feel that your freckles are a problem or you
don’t like the way they look, you can cover them up with makeup.
What are seborrheic keratoses?
Seborrheic keratoses are brown or black growths
usually found on the chest and back, as well as on the head. They originate from
cells called keratinocytes. As they develop, seborrheic keratoses take on a warty appearance.
What causes seborrheic keratoses?
The cause of seborrheic keratoses is unknown. They
are seen more often as people get older. They do not lead to skin cancer.
How are seborrheic keratoses treated?
Seborrheic keratoses are benign and are not
contagious. Therefore, they don’t need to be treated.
If you decide to have seborrheic keratoses removed
because you don’t like the way they look, or because they are chronically
irritated by clothing, methods for removing them include cutting them off,
cryotherapy, and electrosurgery.
Can seborrheic keratoses be prevented?
Seborrheic keratoses can’t be prevented.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 5/23/2014...#12014