Keep in mind that the technical name for moles is melanocytic nevus. Melanocytic nevi, in turn, can be divided into different types based on their characteristics.

The fact is that most moles are brown in color. They can be dark brown, light brown, or have different shades. Not everything that is brown is a mole (for example, you can read about seborrheic keratosis here) and not all moles are brown.

There are nevi of different colors that are still “moles” even though their appearance may confuse us. We will discuss them below:

WHITE

For example, halonevus: these are moles, typically brown, which have a white border that gradually reduces in size until they disappear and become completely white. You can read more about them in the post “Halo nevus: disappearing moles”.

FLESH COLOR

Intradermal nevi are an example. This type of mole is flesh-colored or light brown, in most cases. I told you about them in the article, “Is it a mole or a wart?”

GREY/BLUE

This color is typical of the so-called blue nevi. This is because they are located deeper in the skin than other moles. Due to an optical effect called Tyndall, the brown color of the melanin is seen with this tone. Here you can see pictures of blue nevi.

BLACK

Some “normal” moles with no name of their own, especially in people with dark complexions, can be really dark in tone. For some reason, deep brown or black moles tend to be of more concern, and the reality is that there is no reason for this.

If the color, although dark, is homogeneous, this does not have to mean anything bad. There is a type of nevus called Reed’s nevus that characteristically tends to be darker than normal.

PINK OR RED

Some intradermal nevi, for example, may have a certain pinkish hue. Spitz’s nevus, a type of mole that usually appears in children, can have all kinds of colors, but it is very characteristic for it to be reddish. You can see pictures of Spitz nevus here.

And what if the color changes?

If a mole is one color and remains stable for months or years, there is probably nothing wrong with it. It has its characteristics and that’s all there is to it.

However, if you notice a change in the color of a mole, be sure to see a dermatologist. Sometimes a change in color can be a clue to a melanoma. Remember the ABCDE rule, where C is for color changes.

And you, do you have any moles other than the typical brown ones?

The post Are moles always brown? first appeared on Dra. LOREA BAGAZGOITIA.

What are intradermal nevi and compound nevi?

Both are a type of mole (technically called a “melanocytic nevus”) that are usually not present at birth. They are lumpy, soft, brown or flesh-colored moles that usually appear on the face, neck, and back starting in adolescence. Sometimes they have some hair inside. They can easily be confused with warts or fibroids, but they are not the same.

Intradermal nevi are frequently on the face, neck and trunk.

Why do compound nevi and intradermal nevi appear?

Moles usually originate in the lower zone of the epidermis (the most superficial layer of the skin) and are technically called “junctional nevi” (because they are located at the junction between the epidermis and the dermis). As the years go by, they gain volume and go deeper into the dermis (which is underneath the epidermis), first becoming “compound nevi” (when they are both in the junction and in the dermis) and later becoming “intradermal” (when they are only in the dermis).

As they become larger, they also lose their ability to produce pigment (called melanin) and therefore become lighter over the years, becoming flesh-colored in many cases. Hence they are easily confused with warts or skin tags.

How are intradermal nevi diagnosed?

A simple clinical examination by a dermatologist is usually sufficient. A dermoscope is often used to confirm the diagnosis. In very rare cases, it may be necessary to analyze the lesion to confirm that it is a nevus and not something else (e.g., basal cell carcinoma).

Should compound or intradermal nevi be treated?

It is not necessary to treat compound or intradermal nevi, as they are benign lesions by definition and do not pose a health risk. It is not better to leave them or to remove them; depending on the circumstances, one or the other may be chosen. For example, they can sometimes be uncomfortable or unsightly, and one may prefer to remove them for these reasons.

It is not necessary to remove compound or intradermal nevi as they are benign.

How can compound or intradermal nevi be removed?

The removal of compound or intradermal nevi is performed under local anesthesia in a simple procedure that we usually perform in the same office. Sometimes sutures may be necessary, and in other cases (most) we use techniques such as electrocoagulation or CO2 laser to heal the wound, with great aesthetic results.

The post Is it a mole or a wart: compound and intradermal nevus? first appeared on Dra. LOREA BAGAZGOITIA.

As I have discussed in previous posts, moles, or technically melanocytic nevi, can be present from birth (“congenital nevi”) or can appear throughout life (“acquired melanocytic nevi”), especially during the first 20 years of life.

Both can occur on the feet and hands. They are more common in people with many moles or in dark-skinned people.

What do moles on the feet and hands look like?

They are usually brown patches, millimeters to centimeters in size, circular or oval in shape, and have a “striped” appearance caused by the skin lines on the palms and soles (called dermatoglyphs).

They can be any size and anywhere on the hands and feet. They do not itch or hurt. They should not bleed (if they did, it would be a reason to see a doctor).

Are moles on the feet and hands dangerous?

There is a misconception that moles on the feet are more dangerous than moles elsewhere on the body. This is not the case. Moles that appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are exactly the same in terms of biology and medical characteristics as those we see on other parts of the body. Contrary to popular belief, these moles or nevi are not more dangerous because they are on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.

Moles on the palms and soles are no more at risk than any others

Well, it is important to insist that monitoring ALL the moles we have on our body is equally important, including, of course, those on our feet and hands.

In fact, perhaps the belief that moles on the soles or toes are more aggressive comes from the fact that if we do not monitor them and a “malignant” change occurs, we would notice it later than if it occurred on, say, an arm, and therefore that lesion would already be more advanced (but not because it is really more aggressive, but because we would have diagnosed it later).

There is no scientific study to support the idea that moles on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet have a higher risk of becoming malignant than those on the rest of the body. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove them. This does not mean that we should not be aware of the importance of keeping an eye on them, ALL OF THE TIME, in order to prevent a melanoma from “escaping”.

I remind you of the ABCDE rule to look for possible changes in moles that should make us consult a dermatologist:

• A. Asymmetry
• B: Edge changes
• C: changes in Color
• D: increase in Diameter
• E: Evolving: the mole is changins in size, shape or color over time.

Are moles on the nails dangerous?

Because moles can appear on any part of the body, it is possible to see them on your nails. When a mole appears in the nail matrix (the area where the nail originates), the pigment it produces grows with the nail and can be seen as a brown line along the nail.

These moles are also no more likely to go bad, although they may be a little more difficult to monitor. In any case, there are some clues that should make us consult a dermatologist:

• The line becomes wider or parallel lines of varying thickness are observed.
• The line has different shades of brown
• The spot not only affects the nail, but also the skin around the nail (the nail fold). This is called “Hutchison’s sign”..

In conclusion…

It is important that we know ourselves well and frequently observe our moles, as well as those of our family. In case of changes in moles (ABCDE rule), whether on the hands, feet or any other part of the body, it is essential to consult a dermatologist (here you have my location) just in case.

Despite the agility and convenience of the system in this case, consulting a dermatologist online may not be entirely conclusive, as it is not possible to perform dermatoscopy, which is usually of great help to us.

Do you have any moles on your feet or hands that concern you?

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