Can a Red Mole Be Cancerous?
Spotting a red mole on the skin is worrisome for most of us. What it exactly is? Is it something serious? While paying attention to the spots and growths on your skin is wise, there is no need to panic. A mole is just a skin growth that happens when the cells that produce color in your skin start growing in clusters. They can be oval or round in shape, pink, red, brown or black in color, and can be flat or raised. Most red moles are non-cancerous, but sometimes they may be a cause of worry. Here at OneHowTo.com, we are going to talk about can a red mole be cancerous?
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Have a look at the red mole
A newly discovered mole with a reddish color can be alarming for most. Commonly, moles are brown or black in color, so a red one can feel scary for anyone. However, a red mole on your skin does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. Most red moles are benign, and are just an obvious sign of aging skin. You can distinguish a cancerous mole clearly by its size, shape and color.
These appear red in color because they contain blood vessels in them. Red moles can appear on any part of your body, most commonly on the trunk. They are commonly found in people over 30, and can affect anyone irrespective of gender. Most of them start with the size of 1/10th of a millimeter, and are flat most of the times. As their size increases, they can become 1-2mm in width and up to 1 cm in diameter. A red mole can be blood red, bright red or deep dark purple in color. For more information on the subject take a look at our article on What Causes Red Moles on Your Skin.
How to identify a cancerous red mole
To know if a red mole is cancerous, look for the shape of your red mole. If it is asymmetrical, get it checked by a professional. Cancerous moles are easily characterized by jagged and irregular borders. Another sign of a cancerous mole is its color. The darker its color, the higher risk there is for it to be cancerous. Monitor the color of your red moles. If they darken with time, get them checked. Lastly, its diameter may signal malignancy. Most non-cancerous moles are not bigger than the eraser of a pencil. But if your mole is bigger than that, and if it continues to grow, then it’s better to book an appointment with the physician immediately.
Treatment of red moles
Keep an eye on your red moles and, if you suspect, visit your doctor without fail. Rush to a doctor if any of your moles suddenly starts bleeding, oozing or causing pain, no matter what size and color it is, though there are some preventive measures you can take to stop a red mole from bleeding. Even if it is not cancerous, you may decide to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. Dermatologists have in-office procedures for removal of moles. A lab biopsy is carried out to confirm whether a red mole is non-cancerous or not.
Prevention of red moles
Aging brings a lot of changes in your skin. Although the effects of aging on your skin cannot be reversed, you can prevent minor changes like red moles by keeping your body hydrated, exercising daily to keep up the circulation, and replenishing lost moisture with moisturizers, lotions and night creams.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
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