Red Moles On Skin: The tiny spot that appears on the body skin is the mole. The appearances of such moles are due to the variety of reasons. So, where do moles come from?
When and Why Do Moles Develop?
First of all, some moles are a result of the melanin pigment of your skin from sunlight exposure. This happens because most skin cells cannot properly process the melanin, and thus form a mole.
That is why some moles are brown in color because more melanin is accumulated in that area. Some moles like liver spots (birth marks) are genetics.
If someone in your family has these, you may end up having them as well. If you have the trait where the melanin does not process well, you’ll end up with moles and freckles.
Some others are a result of injuries that cause extensive damage to your skin, thus leading to the development of moles and freckles. Some medications also affect how your cells function which lead to the development of moles.
It is common for people to have skin moles. In fact, most are even born with them. As our life progresses, typically around 30, we may find more developing moles.
Discovering these new moles can be worrisome, especially when it is paired with a distinctive appearance. Every human being has 10 to 15 moles and the colors are usually brown or black, but if your moles are red in colors, they can be quite alarming.
A Closer Look at Red Moles
Small red moles on skin are also known as cherry angiomas. While they may seem hideous, they can be alarming also. But if you know what red moles are about, this particular type of mole is usually harmless.
Cherry angiomas vary in color and in size. Most are generally flat and began at one-tenth millimeter. If it increases in size, it may grow up to 1 or 2 millimeters in width.
The color may come deep red, bright red, or blood red. Dome is the small cluster of skin capillaries that surrounds the mole and creates the red papule.
Basically, red moles appears on the parts where the skin is not exposed to sunlight, such as armpits, genitals and heel areas. They are also common on the arms, face, legs and torso.
What are the Causes of Red Moles?
Compared to other regular moles, red moles are considered to be hereditary. If your ancestors or grandparents had harmless red moles, you will probably have the same. They also consist of excessive blood vessel growth.
The cause of the overgrowth is unknown. But Meisenheimer suspects that there is a genetics factor involvement because there are families developing more red moles than others.
Checking Your Skin – Check for Signs of Skin Cancer
Even though most red moles are harmless, their sizes and locations make them undesirable. However, that does not mean you should stop doing some prevention’s.
A periodical mole check will keep you alert of the location, coloring and size of all of the moles on your body. You should always check your moles and have them evaluated by a dermatologist to prevent the progression of skin cancer.
There are criteria to meet before concluding it as a skin cancer.
- Asymmetrical: If red moles are different on both sides, have it checked professionally.
- Borders: Cancerous moles have jagged and irregular borders.
- Color: Moles differ in color. The darker the mole, the high risk of being cancerous.
- Diameter: The diameter of a red mole may suggest malignancy. Benign moles are smaller than a pencil eraser. If it continues to grow, book an appointment with your physician.
Tests and Diagnosis
By visually inspecting your skin, your doctor can identify moles. Since it develops on the skin’s surface, it can be detected at an early stage using the two methods. First is the skin examination, which should be a part of your preventive medical care.
Your doctor will examine your skin, including your palms, your scalp, the skin between your buttocks and the soles of your feet. Second is the biopsy, which consists of taking a sample of the tissue and submit it for microscopic examination.
Red Moles On Skin – Treatments and Drugs
Usually, treatment of moles isn’t necessary. But if your moles are highly suspicious to be cancerous, your doctors will take a tissue for confirmation.
If they are really cancerous, the entire mole including the margin of the normal tissue will need to be removed surgically, either through surgical excision or surgical shave.
During surgical excision, your doctor extracts the mole and its surrounding margin of the healthy skin using a sharp punch or scalpel device. Sutures will be performed to close the skin.
In surgical shave, your physician will numb the mole area and uses a small blade to cut around the parts underneath the mole. Sutures are not required in this method.
If the mole that’s been removed grows back, see your doctor as soon as you can. If you have a mole in your beard area, have it removed because repeatedly shaving may cause irritation.
How to Prevent Red Moles on Skin
If your red moles are proven to be normal and harmless, you just need to take care of it. Generally, the lifespan of a red mole is around 50 years. Remember that skin may change dramatically as we age.
But since nothing can turn back the hands of time and prevent these small changes, preventing further damage is always beneficial. Keep your body hydrated with water; refill lost moisture with safe and quality lotion or night creams and exercise daily to increase circulation.
It is also an utmost importance to always use a sunscreen with higher SPFs to protect your skin from damage. Avoid using fake and imitation lotions as these may damage your skin. You should also buy something that are approved your doctor.
As you can see, too little knowledge is very dangerous. Just like brown and black moles, not all red moles are cancerous. So before suffering from sleepless nights, make sure to have it checked with your doctor because they have clinical eyes and methods to use.