Contents:
- Medical Video: Do You Have Skin Cancer?
- What causes itchy moles?
- How to distinguish normal and abnormal moles?
- So, what is the right treatment for itchy moles?
- 1. Surgical shave
- 2. Surgical excision
Medical Video: Do You Have Skin Cancer?
Generally, almost everyone has a mole on the body. Moles are a normal skin condition so there is no need to worry. However, some people complain of moles because they disturb the view, sometimes even causing itching. Actually, what causes itchy moles and how to treat them?
What causes itchy moles?
Moles usually appear in several areas of the body such as hands, feet, back, face, and scalp. Moles are famous for their black or brown colors. The shape also varies, can be flat with the skin, or protruding above the surface of the skin. However, whatever the circumstances, this skin condition is still normal and harmless.
It's just that, some people complain about moles that feel itchy. There are various things that cause this condition, ranging from contact with clothing, lotions, detergents, soaps, or the use of other chemical products.
Although rare, itchy moles can also be a sign of melanoma cancer. However, that does not mean because it feels itchy, meaning you must be cancerous. For more details, check for other symptoms that appear together with itching on your mole.
How to distinguish normal and abnormal moles?
Normal moles are usually small, round and brown or blackish. If you pay close attention, either flat or appearing on the skin, the surface looks the same or there is nothing more prominent.
Meanwhile, moles that are considered abnormal, are marked with different colors and shapes or even change. For example, moles that are getting more and more days look bigger
The characteristics that indicate an abnormal mole include:
- There is an uneven side
- There are differences in color and shape in one mole
- The size is very large, even tends to get bigger every day
- Moles change color, shape, size, compared to before
- Felt hurt
- Bleed when scratched
- Harden
Before you guess whether your mole is normal or not, try checking other possibilities first. Maybe it's because the new product you are using causes a chemical reaction that eventually causes irritation to the skin. In addition, it could also be due to rubbing too often with clothes, so that without consciously making itchy moles.
The important thing to remember, not all abnormal moles or itchy moles end up in melanoma cancer. However, do not delay to check your condition to the doctor if the itchy mole bleeds, or changes shape from day to day.
So, what is the right treatment for itchy moles?
If an itchy mole is caused by the use of a chemical product, you should stop using the product until the skin condition, especially the mole, has returned to improve.
However, when the condition of an itchy mole is caused by something more severe, for example due to cancer or other harmful skin conditions, the doctor will recommend two procedures to remove the mole.
1. Surgical shave
This procedure is chosen if your mole is small. The doctor will give the anesthetic so the area of the mole is numb, then the mole part is removed using a small knife. This procedure does not require stitches.
2. Surgical excision
In contrast to surgery, on surgical excision the doctor will remove the mole by cutting it. Then the area of the former mole is closed by stitching. Moles that have been removed through surgical procedures and surgical excision, will then be examined in the laboratory to find out if there are cancer-triggering cells that live in them.
Although it seems scary, most moles do not cause problems and do not require certain treatments. However, it is important to immediately check and treat any abnormal mole conditions. The reason is, the earlier it is checked, the faster the handling will be given.
Therefore, it is important to always be aware of any changes in the mole, especially when it is painful and itchy at the same time.
