Identifying Abnormal Moles

As the name indicates, abnormal moles are those which seem to have appeared recently and may potentially feel or look different to those that an individual was born with or has had for some time. There are several signs that identify abnormal moles:

• Asymmetry
• Border with uneven edges
• Color (2 or more shades)
• Diameter larger than 6mm

Finding these abnormal moles is rarely difficult as they are generally extremely noticeable depending on the individual’s lifestyle and how much attention they pay to their own body.

If they or their family are particularly prone to moles, then it is generally recommended that they thoroughly check themselves once a month to ensure that nothing new has developed. This is generally undertaken with a mirror, allowing all parts of the body, including the back, to be checked thoroughly. The back is particularly important as it is one of the main areas exposed to the sun.

Generally, most people have a reasonable idea of what constitutes a normal mole. These look and feel exactly as would be expected and are often not a sign of anything dangerous. While some will always prefer to get them checked out, it is not completely necessary unless something seems to be wrong with the mole itself.

These unusual moles are known as abnormal moles. The term is used to describe both new moles that have never been seen before and are somewhat different, or existing moles that have changed in some way, particularly in terms of their shape or color. Many also choose to include new moles of any type that appear during adulthood. All are considered a good reason to seek medical advice, even if only for peace of mind. Both new and existing moles can easily be identified as abnormal. Anything that involves the mole itching, bleeding or becoming in any way painful should result in a visit to the local dermatologist.

What to Do Upon Finding an Abnormal Mole

If an individual does indeed come across a mole that is either new or visibly different to others on the body, then there is a chance that it is an indicator of something more severe. A dermatologist specializes in skin problems, and will usually assess the mole visually, while also taking a sample if they feel it to be necessary. This sample, known as a skin biopsy, is then examined separately. Even this small sample can indicate whether skin cancer or any other illness is present, and also provide a good estimate of how severe or deep the case is.

Depending upon the results, the dermatologist will devise a suitable treatment plan. Often, many patients will discover that there is absolutely no problem with the mole. However, at other times, bad news means that the person should be treated as soon as possible.

It is important to remember that not every abnormal mole indicates an illness or disease. However, in the absence of more striking symptoms, they are the most reliable way of telling whether something may be wrong. It is therefore equally important to remember that any changes should be noted and reported immediately, as skin cancer and related diseases are easier to treat the earlier they are identified.

Skin is the largest organ

The skin provides a number of important functions that are essential for the body to perform in the way it should. For example, the skin helps to regulate body temperature and also acts as a barrier, stopping harmful bacteria and chemicals from entering. Many people think of skin care and only consider their face, however skin covers the whole body, and skin care should be performed all over to keep it healthy and looking youthful.

Skin care is not about applying expensive creams and lotions as many of these contain chemicals such as stabilisers, artificial colours and synthetic fragrances. Although products like this can be used in a daily routine, they are not the most important factors to having healthy skin.

Four Easy Steps for Healthy Skin

• A good diet and nutrition – Having a good diet and nutritional intake is a vital part of skin care. Eating a varied diet that is high in different vitamins and minerals, will provide the skin with many of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Many people often complain that when they have eaten a poor diet, their skin looks dull and in bad condition. This can be solved by eating a healthy, varied diet.
• Rest and relax – It sound simple enough, but a huge percentage of the population does not get the adequate rest that the body needs. Skin needs time to breath and by resting the body can restore energy which helps with the appearance of healthy skin. Being run down can often result in the skin looking dull and breaking out in spots, so relaxing is an important step in caring for the skin.
• Drink plenty of fluids – Many people class fluids as water, however, any type of liquid is better than none. Doctors are slowly starting to advise patients to consume more fluids, whereas in the past they would have advised drinking water. Water is still the best fluid to drink as it is pure and will help the skin to stay hydrated.
• Go for a walk – Sunshine is vital to healthy skin, as the skin synthesises vitamin D from UV rays which is essential for the body to function correctly. People should take precautions when out in the sun, such as using sun screen as this will protect the skin from any harmful effects.

The Best Skin Care Regime

A skin care regime should be undertaken to prevent the build-up of dead skin cells and oils and also help with circulation. Often the best skin care regime is the simplest and everyone should make time in their day for a regime, as it does not take long and can keep the skin looking healthy and youthful.

• Purchase the right products – Finding out what type of skin a person has and then finding the right product can take time. Aim to buy products that do not have too many chemicals in and advertise themselves as having natural ingredients. These do not have to be the most expensive products available and many of the cheaper products are just as good. People should not use soap to wash their face as this can lead to clogged pores. Soap can usually be identified by the lack of ingredients listed on the packaging.
• Cleanse – Finding the right cleanser and using it twice a day is the first step in any skin care regime. The face should be rinsed with warm water then a small amount of cleanser should be applied.
• Exfoliate – Exfoliating will remove all dead skin cells and give the skin a more even look and youthful appearance.
• Tone – Using a toner is optional, however by using one it will remove any remaining residues of oils, dirt and make-up.
• Moisturise – This is the last step in any skin care regime and should be used to help lock moisture into the skin. The only time that this is not advisable, is when a person suffers from severe acne as this may exasperate the problem.

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.

Bleeding Moles

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.

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.

Blood Moles

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.

The Body and Water

We all pretty much know from our elementary school days that the human body is between 60% and 70% water. That’s why we’re constantly told by doctors and nutritionists to drink plenty of water every day. As we go through the routine of a normal day we’re constantly using up body water for normal functions like breathing, cooling, and cleansing. When we don’t give the body enough water to replace what’s lost it begins to deny the less important parts while it feeds water to the more important ones.

When having to choose between some of the most important internal organs and the skin, guess which one loses? The skin. If we don’t consume enough water on a regular basis we are actually promoting unhealthy and unattractive skin. According to scientists and dermatologists the simplest and most effective thing you and I can do in terms of skin care is to drink plenty of water.

Alcohol and Water

Alcohol and water do not mix – even in the human body. In fact, alcohol causes dehydration much more readily than many of the things we consume. Doctors suggest that we avoid alcohol altogether on extremely hot days because, combined with the air temperature, it can cause dehydration. When we do consume alcohol we should drink one 8-ounce glass of water for every alcoholic beverage. Doing so will help our skin care efforts.

The Coffee and Tea Myth

Although drinking straight water is a far better than coffee or tea, the idea that these two beverages are diuretics is a myth. Several scientists have proven as much within the last 15 years. So you can ignore the myth that coffee and tea dehydrate your skin, and just be sure to also drink appropriate amounts of straight water.

Nail Polish Remover

In all likelihood the most popular home removal method for skin tags is to apply nail polish remover. The chemicals break down the skin tissue and slowly dissolve a skin tag over the course of two or three days. You’ll need to be careful that you don’t spread the nail polish remover to unaffected parts of the skin otherwise you could damage it and leave scarring. If a two or three day-treatment is ineffective, wait a few days and then try again. If it still fails you may need to look for another method.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is alleged to be very effective in removing skin tags at home by breaking down the skin tissue. This method is accomplished by purchasing vitamin E in liquid form and applying it to the skin tag using a band aid. Leave everything alone until the band aid begins to loosen up a bit, at which point you can take it off and take a look. After just a couple of treatments the vitamin E should be successful in causing the skin tag to fall off on its own.

Baking Soda and Castor Oil

One of the earliest home remedies involves mixing a combination of Castor oil and baking soda. Mix it into the consistency of a paste then apply it to the skin tags two or three times daily. You’ll have to be persistent with this method over the course of several days. The good news is that many a report it to be a very successful wart removal therapy.

Tying Off

One of the more radical methods of home skin tag removal involves tying off the tag with a piece of string or thread at its base. You want the string to be tight enough to apply a slight amount of pressure without actually slicing into the skin. The idea here is too starve the skin tag of blood until it eventually dies and falls off on its own. Sometimes tying off is used successfully in combination with vitamin E.

If you’ve tried the most common home skin tag removal methods to no avail there are several commercial products made from safe, all-natural ingredients. One of the best commercial products is Dermatend (read more about the product…) These products utilize the natural enemies of the skin tag without any harsh chemicals or unhealthy side effects. Just be sure to read and understand the instructions on the packaging thoroughly so that you these products correctly.

Feeding your skin isn’t new!

Since time immemorial, women have developed beauty treatments using the things they had to hand. From Cleopatra and her milk baths to Elizabeth I using egg white as foundation (all the better to hold the poisonous lead based white face powder in place all day) kitchen ingredients have been used effectively. To a large extent, it makes sense to use food stuffs in beauty treatments. We are aware of how nourishing and beneficial many foods are for our skin when we eat them, so it makes a great deal of sense that they can also be of great benefit when applied directly to our skin.

A DIY beauty cabinet

Face masks are one of the most effective ways to nourish and treat the skin and even when making your own face mask it is possible to create one which suits your specific skin type:

• Normal skin will glow after the application of a mask made with a grated green apple (a Granny Smith would be perfect) mixed with 2 tablespoons of natural, live yogurt.
• For oily skin, an ideal mask would be 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt blended with 2 drops of almond or olive oil.
• Dry skin will benefit from a mask of 1 tablespoon of whole milk blended with 2 tablespoons of honey (ideally manuka honey although any will do).

In each case, the mask should be mixed, applied to the skin and left for 15 minutes before being washed off with tepid water. Every one of these masks is packed full of active ingredients which act on and nourish the skin, leaving it fresh and glowing. Similarly, tonics, scrubs and creams can all be easily created to suit your skin perfectly.

Buy versus DIY

Although whipping up a DIY beauty product can be simple, the one down side is that because they are made from fresh food products, they do not keep well, often spoiling with a couple of days. To this end, bought products are created so that they have a long shelf life.

If you are looking for a quick, easy and cheap way to brighten up your beauty routine, you don’t need to look any further than the kitchen.

The benefits of a healthy diet

A healthy diet is one that nourishes your body making it healthy enough to function well. A nutritious diet also can help slow down the effects of aging on body tissues, which means it will slow down the effects of aging on the skin as well as on the bones and muscles in the body.

What is a healthy diet?

While it is all very well saying that everyone should be eating a healthy diet, it is worth taking the time to then say what a healthy diet is. Generally, nutritionists agree that a healthy diet is one containing a variety of foods which provides all the nutrients which are necessary for the body to function effectively. Generally these can be found by eating a diet which balances plenty of fruit and vegetables with some whole grain foods and some protein based foods such as meat, milk, chicken or fish. However, even within the range of healthy foodstuffs, there are some foods that do more to make your skin glow than others.

A diet for healthy skin

One of the most important parts of a diet for healthy skin is plenty of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables contain lots of different antioxidants and these antioxidants are invaluable for helping prevent skin from damage by free radicals. As free radicals are generally caused by environmental exposure, the skin is a prime candidate for their effects and thus fruit and vegetables are the skins best friend.

Water, water and more water

The more fluid in the skin, the more plump it will be and so the less wrinkles that will be seen. Drinking plenty of water ensures that your skin stays hydrated and helps banish those wrinkles.

Eat your fish…and fats

The eating fish, particularly salmon, have been found to be of real benefit to the skin. It is believed that the protein and fats found in fish contain plenty of nutrients which nourish the skin keeping it healthy and toned and improving its appearance. Other foods such as avocado and olive oil as are known to be full of fats and nutrients that are of particular benefit to the skin.

By taking care when choosing what to eat, it is easy for anyone to follow a healthy diet that promotes glowing healthy skin.

Skin cancer is one of the fastest growing types of cancers, due in no small part to the fashion for having a suntan and the rising use of products such as sun beds. Cure rates for cancer, however, are excellent when caught early, so if you suspect something is happening with your skin it should immediately be investigated by a doctor or specialist dermatologist. Preventing skin cancer before it starts by taking sensible precautions when going out in the sun, covering up at the hottest part of the day and always using a high factor sunscreen cream is far better than trying to deal with it when it has already developed.

Know your moles

Identifying which moles are causing concern relies mainly on identifying changes in the moles over a period of time. As a consequence, it is important to get to know where your moles are on your body and what they look like, so you will be able to quickly detect any changes which may be something that requires further checks and investigation by a medical professional.

Size and shape of moles

Moles come in all shapes and sizes, which is why it is important to be familiar with your moles and to know what is normal for you. Moles which appear to be growing quickly or moles which grow to a diameter of more than 7 millimeters should be reported to the doctor. Healthy moles are smooth and rounded and do not have bumpy or ragged edges. Moles which are becoming ragged or which are looking irregular could be signs that the cells in the mole are becoming cancerous. This should be checked out straight away by a doctor.

Changes in texture or color

Healthy moles are smooth to the touch. Some may be raised from the surface of the skin and some may be flat, but both types are normal. Signs of skin cancer moles can be moles that become crusty or rough to the touch and moles that start to itch. This sort of irritation can be easily mistaken for other skin conditions, but if the itchiness and irritation persists, it should be referred for further tests. Many itchy or scaly patches on the skin are not skin cancer, and may be fixed by intensive moisturizing or other treatment regimes. Moles can be many shades of color from skin tone right through to dark brown, and all are normal. Moles which suddenly become darker or redden should be investigated, as should any bleeding from a mole which is not rubbing against clothes or which hasn’t been knocked or bumped. One of the other main causes for concern is moles which seem to develop sores on them which take time to heal.

New Moles

Moles appear on the body at any time from birth up to the age of around 40, so having a new mole appearing suddenly is not necessarily a cause for concern. If the mole which is developing is regular in shape and color, it is nothing to be alarmed about, although it should be monitored as with all other moles. However, if a new mole appears that is irregular around the edges or that is raised and bumpy, this could be one of the early signs that all is not well and should be investigated.

The Surgical Approach

For people looking for a quick method, almost providing instant results, the surgical route is the one to choose. Although it involves making an appointment to see a doctor for an initial consultation, then returning at a later date to have the skin tags taken off, the actual procedure only takes a few minutes and generally does not require the use of any anesthetic meaning you are free to leave hospital and go home almost immediately.

In the simplest of the procedures, the surgeon will take a pair of sterile scissors or a scalpel and detach the skin tag from the body at the point where the connection is narrowest. It takes a few seconds, if that, and as the cut to the skin is so tiny, pain relief is usually not required. There are few side effects involved in these types of removal, the only ones being possible bleeding at the site of the skin tag and scarring, should the tag not be removed easily.

A surgeon may also choose to freeze the skin tags off using liquid nitrogen. It is important that this is done with precision as the very cold gas can damage healthy skin as well as the skin tags. It is very quick, simple and painless but this process can only be carried out by a trained professional. There is also the drawback that the procedure may cost money, and you will have the inconvenience and time considerations of taking a couple of hours out of your day to travel to hospital for the procedure.

Natural Methods

There are several natural or household items which work well as home skin tag removers. The first of these methods is to mix up a sticky paste of baking powder and castor oil. The mixture should then be applied to the skin tags  and then covered with a small band aid or a piece of bandage two or three times a day for several weeks, after which the skin tag will dry up and drop off. The benefits of trying this method to remove skin tags are that the ingredients are simple, cheap and easy to come by, and there are no side effects from trying this way. It is always worth trying one of the natural methods before proceeding down the surgical route should removing the skin tags not be a matter of urgency. Although it will take longer, it will also save you considerable sums of money.

Tea tree oil is also used in removing skin tags. It is dabbed on to the tag a few times a day and has a similar effect to the castor oil in that it makes the tags dry up and fall away from the skin. Tea tree oil also works as a natural antiseptic and may help the skin stay healthy while the tag is being treated and prevent any infection occurring.

Although they may appear unsightly, there is no danger or pain from skin tags. On groin skin tags are among the more unusual kind, but they should not cause pain or irritation unless they are rubbing against clothing, are non-infectious and not related in any way to some of the sexually transmitted infections that can appear similar. They occur in equal numbers in men and women, and although more research is needed to establish exactly why some people are more prone to developing skin tags than others, obesity seems to be a contributing factor in many cases.

Problems with Skin Tags

As stated above, the vast majority of people with skin tags live with them quite happily and they never cause any problem. However, in some areas the skin tags may cause problems if they are rubbing against another part of the body or against clothing. This is particularly the case with skin tags on the groin as they can be irritated by both underclothing and by the action of walking about and moving around. Some people who have many tags feel them to be ugly and feel embarrassed about having them. Although removal of skin tags is not always necessary from a medical perspective, many people who have skin tags in the groin wish to have them removed for practical and cosmetic reasons.

Surgical Removal

There are many methods for removing skin tags and for skin tags on the groin, surgical methods are generally preferred over natural remedies which can take longer to work and require applying a paste and then bandaging the affected area. All of the surgical methods are quick and simple, and most can be carried out either in a hospital clinic or at a doctor’s office. Having skin tags removed will not mean a long stay in hospital or the need for anesthetic.

Fire and Ice

Two of the most common ways of removing skin tags are with heat or cold. With the first method, the doctor burns the skin tag off the surface of the skin using a cauterizing device which heats and slices at the same time. Using this method should mean there is far less risk of bleeding than with using a plain scalpel or pair of surgical scissors. Using liquid nitrogen to freeze skin tags and moles off is a more recent development but works in a similar way. The doctor uses some extremely cold liquid nitrogen to freeze the tissue of the skin tag, which is then cut off from the skin.

Tying

The final method for removing skin tags on the groin is by tying them. This can be done at home and is less obvious than the pastes and bandages. Simply tie a small thread, piece of dental floss or other twine around the part of the skin tag which connects it to the body. This will cut off the blood supply to the skin tag, which will eventually die and drop off. This method is easy and cheap to carry out at home although the results are not as instant as with the other surgical procedures.