Moles are
small dark marks on the skin. They are caused by cells in the
skin that produce pigment (colour). Moles are usually
brownish, although some may be darker or skin-coloured. Moles
can be flat or raised, smooth or rough, and some have hair
growing from them. Moles are usually circular or oval in shape
with a smooth edge.
Some moles
are present at birth. These are called congenital melanonaevi.
However, most moles develop during the first 20 years of life
(and sometimes into the 30s and 40s). They often develop if
you spend a lot of time in the sun, and tend to appear on
parts of the body that catch the most sunlight, such as your
face.
Moles can
start to look different over time and sometimes respond to
hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy, adolescence and
the menopause. Some even disappear over time or fall off,
often without you realising.
Seborrhoeic
keratoses are moles that are common in older people who have
spent a lot of time in the sun. The edge of the mole is quite
faint and theyre usually raised from the surface of the skin.
They vary in colour from skin colour to orange and
black.
Most moles
are normal and harmless, but in a few cases they can develop
into melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Malignant melanoma is
the most serious type of skin cancer and is usually caused by
short periods of strong sunlight such as on a two-week
holiday.
Malignant
melanoma can appear anywhere on the body. It may be a dark,
fast-growing spot where there wasnt already a mole, or a mole
you already have that changes size, shape or colour, and
bleeds, itches or reddens. For more information on melanoma,
see the health encyclopaedia topic: cancer of the
skin.
