Skin moles

Skin moles appear during the first few years of life. Most people have 20-30; some have many more. The common skin mole should be uniformly pigmented, with a regular margin. A halo of pale skin around a skin mole may be seen in adolescence. Occasionally congenital skin moles are large (greater than 1 cm), multiple or confluent (bathing trunk pattern). These lesions carry a risk of malignant transformation. Skin Moles deeper in the dermis appear blue in color. Skin Moles tend to regress in old age. If skin moles change in size, become irregular in shape or pigmentation, itch or bleed they should be regarded as unstable and potentially malignant. Sunburn can irritate and activate skin moles. During pregnancy, skin moles tend to increase in size and darken. Malignant melanomas can arise de novo or from pre-existing skin moles. The incidence of this malignant tumor is increasing, especially in fair-skinned people with high sun-exposure.