Everyone’s born with beauty marks of some sort. Yet how can you tell if a dark colored patch on skin isn’t simply a mole? It is best to check any moles you have on a consistent basis, and keep an eye out for warning signs according to the American Cancer Society. There are certain characteristics that you should look for when checking a suspicious mole.
Is the mole symmetrical all the way around? A healthy mole is usually uniform. This means both sides will be identical to one another. Examine the mole to ascertain whether it has edges that aren’t symmetrical with the side opposite it. If the mole that you are examining is not symmetrical, it may be cancerous; your doctor needs to examine it right away.
Check your moles monthly to see that there are no irregular edges. Pay attention to the edges of the mole upon examination. Check for any unusual outlines around the mole. The edges might look blurry, somewhat irregular, or of a different shade. A normal mole has a distinct border, but the potentially dangerous ones have a gradual change in color around their edges.
Are there any differences in the color no matter how slight? As aforementioned, another thing to be alert to as you check a mole is any variation of shade. Keep tabs on the mole to detect any changes in color. Nor are warning signs limited to edges – a mole that has color changes within it in generally needs to be looked at by a health care practitioner as soon as possible. You can’t be too cautious when protecting your skin’s health.
Has the size of your mole increased? Any increase in the size of a mole over time should be considered a warning that the mole could be cancerous.
Watch the mole for 1 or 2 months and see if there are any changes in size or shape. If possible make a drawing of your mole so that you can have a comparison picture to refer to when doing your monthly checks. Small moles are usually not harmful. However, if anything is greater in size than a diameter of 6mm in breadth then it is abnormal.
You should ask yourself if the mole is harmless. Typically, one of the early indications of a problem with a mole that makes people take notice is a change in the mole’s texture. Usually a mole that is in the pre-malignant stage will look crusted in areas. Often, pus or liquid might be found within. This shows that there is a problem with the mole, as this isn’t normal.
Have you noticed any changes in the mole’s consistency? The look of your mole is not the only indication of a problem, run your fingers over the mole and take notice of any changes in texture. Did you ever notice the changed feeling on that part of your skin? Do you find the area to be unusually tender? Are you feeling any pain in that area? If you notice any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately.
V.I.P. Group Gift June 2013
Image by Izzie Button
Ivana Skin Pearl Edition (comes with and without freckles and moles on skin)
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Tips on Checking Out Skin Moles
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