Mole (skin marking)
From Freepedia
| Mole | ||
|---|---|---|
| ICD-10 code: | D22 | |
| ICD-9 code: | 216 | |
A mole or melanocytic naevus is a small, darkly spot on the skin. It can be subdermal made of melanin, or a pigmented growth on the skin, formed mostly of melanocytes. The high concentration of melanin is responsible for their dark color. They are a member of the family of skin lesions known as naevi.
Moles may either be present at birth or develop later in life.
Acquired moles are a form of benign neoplasm, while congenital moles are considered a minor malformation, or hamartoma. Moles are most often of no medical consequence, but since they are permanent, they may occasionally be removed for cosmetic or other reasons.
Moles are usually circular or oval and not very large. Most children are born with moles, and almost everyone has at least one or two moles on their bodies. Large amounts can be concentrated on the back, the chest and arms.
Aesthetic
The number of moles on a person's body appears to be hereditary. This applies also to their colour and shape.
Moles are considered both as a sign of beauty and ugliness. Women with many moles on their skin sometimes consider them a problem, and may try to conceal any that aren't hidden by clothing with make-up, or have them surgically removed. On the other hand, other people believe that they contribute to a person's (especially a woman's) beauty and consider them sexy. Moles on faces are sometimes known as beauty marks.
Health caution
Sudden and unexpected changes in skin moles (e.g. bleeding, irritation, darkening, sudden growth) can be a sign of skin cancer so they need to be watched carefully. If a mole appears suspicious, it can be biopsied and checked for signs of malignancy.
