Moles, Freckles, Skin Tags, Benign 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 irregular.
- 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—A mole appears elevated, or raised from the
skin.
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 a significant 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 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 whites,
especially those with fair skin.
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. 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.
©
Copyright 1995-2006 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved
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