Causes of Skin Moles

It is estimated that half the population has one or more moles. We have become accustomed to seeing them on our bodies but we might not understand what a mole is. To explain what is a skin mole let me first give you a refresher from your high school science class. Our skin has 3 layers with the top layer being the epidermis and the middle layer the dermis. Melanin is a pigment that gives your skin its color. Melanin is produced from cells called melanocytes. These cells distribute the melanin to your skin. This distribution is usually very uniform. Sometimes they group together into a cluster and that is how a mole is formed.

Doctors cannot provide us with a definitive answer as to why this grouping of melanocytes cells occurs in our skin. When moles do appear they are usually harmless. In some cases these moles can become cancerous. For this reason you might want to observe any moles on your body in case they might evolve into cancer sometime in the future. Here are the answers you might have about the causes of skin moles.

Q. Are all moles large and raised bumps on your skin?
A. The simple answer is no. Skin moles can come in different sizes and variations. Most skin moles are usually round in shape and are flat. Sometimes moles can be raised.

Q. How can you tell if a mole is cancerous or not?
A. Only a test performed by your doctor can truly determine if a mole is cancerous. Some signs to watch out for is whether or not the skin mole grows in size. If that happens you might want to have your doctor look at it again. Even though most skin moles are benign, a raised mole has a greater preponderance of being cancerous than flat moles. If you have a raised skin mole you should take more precautions.

Q. What if my mole starts to hurt when I touch it?
A. This is never a good sign. This can possibly indicate that cancer is starting to appear in the skin mole and that is why it is sensitive to touch. If that happens then you should report it to a doctor right away.

Q. If a skin mole is not cancerous should I remove it?
A. The answer to this question is a personal choice for the person that has the skin mole. Doctors may not recommend the removal of a skin mole if it is not cancerous. If you do not want to have the skin mole because it is unsightly then it is ok to have the skin mole removed.

Q. What if my skin mole that is flat starts to rise or starts to bleed?
A. This is because of growth of cells in the skin mole location which causes it to rise. Since raised skin moles have a higher preponderance of being cancerous then it should be something that should be checked out by your doctor.

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