The doctor spoke about common myths about moles

Moles on the face and body have been associated with many different speculations and myths at different times, and the repetition of the location of moles in parents and children (as an option: brothers and sisters) gave impetus to writing a huge number of sentimental novels . However, some moles, which official medicine floridly calls melanocytic nevi and classifies as benign neoplasms, can indeed pose a real threat to human health.

So, it's time to find out together with estet-portal.com what — true, and what is a delusion among the many myths that have developed around such familiar, and such mysterious moles.

• Myth 1. "Don't wake the dashing": you should not remove a mole that does not bother you on the face or on another part of the body
• Myth 2. Convex moles are especially dangerous
• Myth 3. Injury to a mole provokes the development of melanoma
• Myth 4. The degeneration of a mole into melanoma is irreversible
• Myth 5. The location of moles indicates diseases of the internal organs
• Myth 6. Smoking during pregnancy will cause melanoma in the baby

Myth 1. "Don't wake the dashing": you should not remove a mole that does not disturb you on the face or on another part of the body

This opinion is closely related to the situation when doctors did not have the capabilities of modern diagnostics. It was believed that damaging the "sleeping" mole, it is easy to provoke the development of cancer. Identifying a potentially dangerous mole "by eye" is not so easy.

There is a special procedure called dermatoscopy to determine if a mole is benign. It is non-traumatic, safe and painless.

When we forbid children to comb places where there are moles, we try to protect them from mechanical damage, we are doing absolutely the right thing. However, modern medicine has completely safe technologies mole removal. In addition, after the removal of any mole, a tissue fragment must be sent for histology, which makes it possible to detect malignant degeneration of cells at an early stage. And this means that by removing the "doubtful" mole in time, you reduce the likelihood of developing cancer. However, this should only be done by a specialist.

Myth 2. Convex moles are especially dangerous

The number and size of moles in each person is a purely individual parameter. However, flat moles that do not protrude above the surface of the skin seem safer to us. But convex, voluminous neoplasms in many people cause concern: whether the mole will turn into a focus of development of melanoma — dangerous cancer?

Alas, a direct relationship between the appearance, and, in particular, the shape and volume of a mole and its health hazard cannot be established. Perhaps you yourself can recall the presence of large voluminous moles in older relatives, which did not affect their health.

Myth 3. Injury to a mole provokes the development of melanoma

This statement cannot be considered completely speculation - if a mole, for some reason, is constantly irritated or injured (for example, due to exposure to clothing details), it really has a greater chance of degenerating into a malignant neoplasm. Therefore, in the presence of such moles, it makes sense to visit a dermatologist, undergo the necessary diagnostics and, if necessary, remove a miniature benign tumor that bothers you.

In case of mechanical damage to the mole, it is treated with a solution of hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine. But you can’t use iodine or cauterize such wounds with green paint.

If there is excessive bleeding at the site of injury, you should consult with a dermatologist.

Myth 4. The degeneration of a mole into melanoma is irreversible

In fact, modern medicine has learned to cope with this disease quite successfully, even in the last stages. If mole:

• was injured;
  
  
• began to grow rapidly;
  
  
• causes discomfort (itching is felt in the area where the mole is located);
  
  
• begins to peel off;
  
  
• bleeding;
  
  
• has uneven coloration -

you should definitely contact a specialist. Modern methods of diagnosis and treatment are highly effective if carried out under the supervision of a qualified oncologist.

To avoid dangerous consequences after an unsuccessfully reduced mole, you should not solve this medical problem in a beauty salon, such procedures should be performed by an oncologist.

Such precautions are dictated by the likelihood of damage to the so-called "roots" of the mole, located in the deeper layers of the skin.  Their injury  can lead to pathological degeneration of cells and the development of malignant tumor.

Myth 5. The location of moles indicates diseases of the internal organs

Sometimes you can hear that the appearance of a new mole or their accumulation indicates a hidden course of the disease of one or another organ. Is this really true?

Indeed, the development of many diseases negatively affects the appearance of the patient. For example, with problems with the liver, the skin may acquire a characteristic yellowish tint. However, modern medicine has not yet established a direct relationship between the location of moles and the course of certain diseases. But the appearance of other defects, for example, vascular "asterisks" are indeed a dangerous symptom, since they often indicate severe liver damage.

Myth 6. Smoking during pregnancy will cause melanoma in the baby

This statement also cannot be called quite correct, since there is no official evidence confirming a direct link between smoking during pregnancy and the subsequent development of melanoma in a baby. Although, of course, it cannot be denied that smoking leads to the penetration into the body of the mother and fetus of many toxic substances that destroy vitamin C and negatively affect the skin synthesis process. In addition, it should be remembered that smoking, in itself, increases the risk of developing cancer.

Given that this is far from the only factor in the negative impact of a woman's smoking on the body of her unborn baby, in any case, it is better for her to get rid of this extremely bad habit.