Moles are small, colored skin growths caused by overproduction of pigmented skin cells called melanocytes. They are typically flat or raised, may vary in color from light to dark brown, may be rough or smooth, and may be hairless or hairy. Less commonly, a mole may be a bluish-black color, may be surrounded by a ring of paler skin, or may be larger than normal and unevenly colored.
Moles may be present at birth, but most appear later, and almost all adults have several moles. Most moles are noncancerous, but occasionally they may develop into malignant melanoma. Warning signs in an existing mole include a change in shape or size, a change in color or uneven coloring, crustiness, itching, inflammation, ulceration, bleeding, and an irregular edge.
The sudden appearance of a new mole may also indicate melanoma. Any such changes should be reported to a doctor promptly. Most moles are harmless and do not need treatment, although they can be surgically removed for cosmetic reasons

Othere related diseases

SEBACEOUS CYST
Also called a skin cyst or an epidermoid cyst, a sebaceous cyst is a smooth lump that forms under the skin due to inflammation of a hair follicle. The cyst cont...

SEBORRHEIC KERATOSIS
Also called seborrheic warts, seborrheic keratoses are harmless, wartlike growths that most commonly occur on the trunk but may also affect the head, neck, fore...

SKIN ABSCESS
A skin abscess is a collection of pus under the skin, which is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A skin abscess typically appears as a smooth, firm swell...

SKIN TAG
A skin tag is a small, soft, painless, noncancerous growth attached to the skin by a stalk. Tags usually occur spontaneously and may grow on any part of the bod...

SOLAR KERATOSIS
Also known an actinic keratosis, a solar keratosis is a scaly skin growth caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight. The growths typically appear on the face, ea...

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that arises from the outer skin layer. It may be caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light (in su...

SYRINGOMA
A syringoma is a noncancerous tumor of the sweat ducts. Syringomas are most commonly found in clusters on the eyelids, but they may also occur elsewhere on the ...

TELANGIECTASIA
In telangiectasia, the small blood vessels just beneath the skin become enlarged, causing redness and a broken veins appearance. It most commonly occurs on the ...