Most people have some type of mole when they are born or may get them as they get older. Most moles are nothing to worry about and they are just a cluster of pigmented cells that can be seen on the skin. However, there are a number of moles such as blood moles that a doctor would be more concerned about. People should also look out for bleeding moles and changes to a moles size, shape and colour.
The main worry that surrounds mole is that a small number of people with them can go on to develop a condition called malignant melanoma. This is a type of skin cancer and if it is not caught early enough, then there is a chance that it can be fatal. Surgery is usually the only option for this condition and the mole and surrounding tissue is cut out.
A number of people are born with a blood mole and they form when skin cells group together and bring blood flow to the area by feeding off small blood vessels. This type of mole would have to be checked by a specialist doctor as they can be more susceptible to malignant melanomas. They can bleed easily if knocked or scratched or become redder and tender when touched, in these cases a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible and the patient may consider removing a mole.
Many people confuse blood moles with cherry angiomas but these usually appear in later life and commonly appear on the torso. These are not moles and are harmless, they can bleed a lot when damaged but they are only usually removed for cosmetic reasons.
Most moles are completely harmless and the majority of the population has at least one. However, if a mole becomes itchy, starts bleeding or changes size, shape or colour then it is imperative that it is checked by a medical professional. There are a number of reasons that a mole may bleed and this may simply be down to being scratched or caught with a razor while shaving.
Most of the time when a mole starts bleeding because of becoming cancerous there are a number of other signs that will go with it. These include changes in colour and the mole becoming uncomfortable. People who experience any of these changes should not wait for another change to happen before they consult a doctor. The sooner this type of skin cancer is detected, the better chance there is of it being treated successfully.
For those who have had a mole checked and have been told that it is not cancerous, they may still decide that they want the mole removed. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as self-consciousness about the mole or that it has become an annoyance. There are a number of ways that a mole can be removed and these procedures are usually painless. Anaesthetic is required for certain removals, and a doctor will be able to recommend the best removal method. Methods include cauterization, laser treatments and freezing as well as the method that is used for cancerous moles, which is surgery where the whole mole is removed.
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