Moles+&+Birthmarks


 * MOLES** are an area of skin where melanocytes have grouped together

medical term: - naevi (p) - nevus (s)

usually develope later in life or childhood, some at birth. vary in color, flesh color to dark brown. raised or hair growing out.

moles your born with( congenital) -atleast 1 cm across. -tend to grow as you grow.

moles that appear after birth - junctional melanocytic naevi - compound melanocytic naevi - dermal melanocytic naevi - blue naevi - halo naevi - dysplastic naevi - displastic naevi

see a doctor if: - existing mole has grown - mole with a ragged/ uneven edge - has varying shades of color - bleeds, oozes, crusts - feels painful or itches - where two half don't look the same

fair skin is likely to have moles. can change or appear due to changes in hormones, puberty or pregnancy.

Doctors diagnosis - mole mapping; taking photos to compare at next visit. - biopsy; take a small sample of tissues to see if cancerous.

treatment of moles - if cancerous have it removed - if not cancerous can be removed for cosmetic reason - depending on what kind of mole depends on the procedure to remove it. - shave biopsy - the top layer of skin is taken off using a blade. -punch biopsy - a disc of skin and tissue is removed. -excision biopsy - the entire mole is removed.

if you have moles the best thing to do is: -wear at least SPF15 sunscreen -cover up with a hat, T-shirt and sunglasses -seek shade when you can at the hottest times of the day (usually between 11am and 3pm)




 * BIRTHMARKS** are a skin marking that is present at birth.

- nevus (a mole) - hemangioma (collection of small blood vessels)
 * Medical Terms:

- abnormally dark or light skin - contain hair - skin lesion - skin lumps - textured- smooth, flat, raised, or wrinkled
 * Symptoms of birthmarks:


 * A biopsy may be performed to look for cancerous changes.


 * Usually no treatment is needed for the birthmark itself.


 * There is no way to prevent birthmarks.


 * Prognosis: large moles that are present at birth are more likely to become skin cancer. (malignant melanoma)


 * Appear shortly after birth, usually in the first month.


 * Caused by overgrowth of blood vessels, melanocytes, smooth muscle, fat, fibroblasts, or keratinocytes.


 * The two types of birthmarks are pigmented and vascular.


 * Pigmented: mole, cafe au lait spot, Mongolian spot.


 * Vascular: stork bite, strawberry mark, port-wine stain.