A mole is a benign formation that appears on the body for various reasons. Usually nevi, as moles are also called, do not cause any inconvenience to people. But large tumors that rise above the skin can be accidentally injured by getting caught in clothing or some object. Many people do not know what to do if a mole is damaged and make standard mistakes, which sometimes lead to the development of melanoma.
Where does a mole begin?
Nevus is considered a benign skin neoplasm, characterized by an accumulation of nevocytes, melanin-rich cells.
This is why the mole has a dark color and fairly clear boundaries.
The transformed melanocytes (nevocytes) take up the thyroid hormone thyroxine and transform it into melanin, which colors the skin in a certain area.
Melanin is necessary for the human body.
It is both an antioxidant and a predictor of anti-stress hormones, softening emotional reactions, and a regulator of sleep and wakefulness.
To be or not to be a mole is determined in the embryonic period, even if the pigment formation appeared after birth.
Some features of pregnancy stimulate the process of melanocyte transformation.
The nevocyte does not have processes, therefore, like a stingy knight, it accumulates all the melanin without giving it to other areas of the skin. You can be born with moles or acquire them during periods of hormonal crises: puberty, pregnancy, menopause, unsuccessful selection of contraceptives.
As well as intense tanning, including in solariums, skin infections, allergies.
Nevocytes form a border nevus at the border of the superficial and deep layers of the skin. then grow into the dermis (mixed or intradermal nevus).
A border nevus is a round, dark, smooth spot.
The mixed one protrudes slightly above the skin.
An intradermal nevus looks larger, rising like a dome on a small stalk, sometimes with hairs, that is, it looks like a dark wart.
The main danger of a nevus is that its cells can become malignant and malignant.
Melanoma, a very dangerous malignant skin tumor, can develop from a melanocytic nevus.
80% of deaths from skin cancer occur with melanomas, although almost all patients who receive timely treatment live quietly for 10-15 years before a new relapse.
Risk factors for malignancy are known.
These are heredity (melanoma or other oncology), ultraviolet radiation (permanent or excessive tanning), sunburn, fair skin and red hair.
Gella, the heroine of The Master and Margarita, could have a predisposition to melanomas.
Let's look at some complaints related to moles.
Damage protection
No one is immune from accidental damage to a birthmark. Having encountered discomfort and bleeding once, it is important to be able to protect other nevi from negative effects.
For this purpose it is recommended:
- avoid ultraviolet irradiation of the mole;
- protect moles with a band-aid when wearing tight clothes;
- avoid accidentally scratching nevi;
- be careful while shaving.
Using UV protection when going outside during periods of increased solar activity will help prevent the degeneration of birthmark cells.
“I picked a mole and it started bleeding”
A person gets used to his moles, chooses clothes, adapts and almost does not notice.
But the mole reminds you of itself, sometimes in a dramatic and even bloody way.
What's happening?
The man says this:
- “I scratched my mole until it bled”
- "knocked off with clothes or nails"
- “damaged a mole” and “bleeded”
- “The cat scratched a mole until it bled”
- and even “the mole burst.”
What to do and what are the dangers?
Blood comes from a mole because the nevus is penetrated by capillaries.
There are also vascular nevi or hemangiomas; they are completely filled with blood.
We advise everyone to contact the Ufa HEALTHY SKIN CENTER
Nevi (moles) are very easily injured, especially convex and overhanging ones. Therefore, it is important to take precautions.
When sunbathing, do not expose yourself to heatstroke and sunburn! Lubricate your skin with a cream with a protective composition against ultraviolet rays. Fly to hot countries when the sun there is not so exhausting. Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight to prevent moles from becoming injured due to friction against rough fabrics.
During water procedures, use only soft washcloths. Be especially careful when handling shaving equipment.
When caring for your appearance, do not pull out or pluck hairs from moles - shorten them with scissors.
Consult a dermatologist and it is better to remove moles located in places of potential injury: on the chin, chest, abdomen, and in the perineal area. It is better to plan the removal procedure for autumn or winter, when the exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the operated skin is minimal.
Keep an eye out for newly appearing moles. You should be alarmed if they begin to grow unexpectedly quickly, change their color, shape, or crack, peel, or hurt. Don't be lazy, see a doctor!
Address: Russia, Republic of Bashkortostan,
Ufa, st. Revolutionary, 70
Damage to a mole: causes
- scratching with nails when combing
- chafing and bleeding due to pressure from clothing or shoes
- cutting with a sharp object in everyday life or for the purpose of “removing a mole” at home
To prevent injury to the nevus, non-compressive clothing is selected, and the mole itself is sealed with a bactericidal plaster.
But what if an injury does occur?
Firstly, like any wound, a cut or damaged nevus can become infected.
Microorganisms enter its cavity and penetrate deeper, causing inflammation.
Cause for concern
Modern scientists are finding more and more similarities between the processes that occur during chronic tissue damage and in malignant tumors. In fact, this idea is not new. Even the German pathologist Rudolf Virchow, who lived in the century before last, called cancer an “unhealing wound.” When tissue damage occurs as a result of mechanical injury or inflammation, active regeneration processes begin in it. Certain types of leukocytes rush to the lesion. They secrete biologically active substances that cause cells to actively multiply. Genes that normally should not work are temporarily “turned on” in cells. And this can contribute to the development of a malignant tumor. For example, the role of chronic inflammatory process in the development of stomach and intestinal cancer has been established.
Perhaps this concept can explain why 20–30% of patients develop melanoma from pigmented nevi. According to the “unhealed wound” theory, moles can become malignant not only due to defects in the DNA of melanocyte cells, but also due to processes occurring in the surrounding tissues. And these processes, in turn, can be the result of inflammation or injury.
In 2015, a team of scientists from the UK and Denmark conducted an experiment on zebrafish and obtained very interesting results. These fish, like humans, can develop melanoma, their immune systems work in much the same way, and their transparent larvae are easy to observe. Over the course of several months, the researchers cut off the fish's tail fin in the same place every two weeks. And these repeated injuries increased the rate of development of malignant tumors.
This study does not prove that an accidentally damaged mole in a person will develop into melanoma, but it does suggest the possibility. Dr. Philip Niethammer from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (USA) notes some weaknesses of the study by European colleagues:
- Although the results of the zebrafish experiment look very convincing, they cannot be completely extrapolated to humans.
- The intervention of scientists during the experiment is too far from real life. The researchers cut off the fish's fin in the same place many times. It is unlikely that a person will pick off the same mole over and over again. Although, in some cases, similar repetitive injuries can occur - for example, during shaving in men, if the mole is on the face.
- It is unclear whether a single injury can have the same effect as repeated injury. This possibility cannot be ruled out, but there is no evidence yet.
So, while doctors and scientists cannot say for sure whether mechanical trauma to a mole can lead to the development of melanoma. To get a definite answer, additional research is needed. For now, I can give only one piece of advice: it’s better not to touch moles, just in case. Nevi that constantly rub against clothing or are damaged during shaving are probably worth removing - although no one can say that constant trauma increases the risk of their malignancy.
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Symptoms of inflammation of a mole
- pain;
- redness, diffuse or with the formation of a dense red cushion;
- local increase in temperature;
- subsequently suppuration is possible.
If the inflammation is not treated, the wound from the mole can heal by secondary intention, that is, with the appearance of an ugly scar.
Inflammation can spread to neighboring areas, and then the most dangerous injury to moles on the face and neck.
In particularly unfavorable conditions, the process generalizes. that is, sepsis develops, a general blood infection.
In place of the injured nevus, new moles and spots appear, which can spoil the appearance.
If the location contributes to the traumatization of moles (on the fingers, on the neck, on the belt), this process can be repeated again.
The most unpleasant consequence of injury is malignancy of the nevus.
Therefore, even if you easily coped with the bleeding, inflammation did not develop, you still need to consult a specialist.
Is a mole injury dangerous?
Clinical studies have confirmed that in almost 50% of cases, the formation of melanoma is preceded by trauma to pigmented nevi (moles). Some doctors consider these statements controversial, but it is too early to consider the discussion closed. There are many cases where, after a scratch or other injury to a mole, such disorders went away without a trace, and almost every person has injured a nevus at least once in their life. People also complain that the cat scratched a mole. However, statistics are difficult to dispute, so you need to be vigilant.
What other possible signs of malignancy can be seen with the naked eye?
- the nevus grows rapidly;
- the mole hurts, itches, goes numb;
- the mole changes shape: the borders blur, change outline, the surface becomes lumpy;
- many new moles appear;
- the mole darkens, turns blue or red;
- hair on the nevus is actively growing;
- the nevus gets wet;
- the mole is bleeding.
If you notice one or more changes, especially bleeding, you should contact your oncologist as soon as possible.
Melanoma is treatable in the early stages.
Blood from a mole: what to do?
There are a variety of reasons why a mole may bleed, but regardless of the reason, you should take the same steps.
- If the mole is not completely torn off, it is forbidden to cut it off or separate it manually.
- Wash your hands, wipe them with an alcohol wipe, cologne or vodka.
- Treat the surface around the wound with any skin antiseptic. This could be the same alcohol wipe, an alcohol solution of iodine, green brilliantine, fucarcin, or any preparation intended for hand treatment.
- Drop a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine or miramistin (optional) into the wound.
- Cover the wound with a stick-on bandage, an adhesive plaster with a bactericidal “pad”, and fix the part of the mole that has not completely separated in a comfortable position.
A little about moles
Essentially, moles are considered benign epidermal growths consisting of cells that contain excess amounts of natural pigments, such as melanin. The formation of such structures can be caused by a variety of external and endogenous factors, ranging from hormonal imbalance to ultraviolet influence. Most often, nevi appear on the body in childhood, and in adulthood their formation may be a manifestation of a physiological norm, however, this may be a signal of the emergence of a pathological process, for example, cancer.
How to stop bleeding from a mole?
If the blood does not stop on its own during bandaging, it means that the nevus has grown into relatively large vessels and they are injured or you have poor blood clotting.
Bleeding from capillaries is stopped by pressing the vessels.
Place a sterile napkin on the wound, press tightly on top with a piece of cotton wool or a rolled bandage (this is called a “pelote”) and secure the bandage.
Depending on the location of the injury, you may be able to apply a tight bandage or simply apply pressure to the area with a few strips of adhesive tape.
Once you have given yourself first aid, don’t stop there!
Make an appointment with an oncologist or dermatologist.
The nevus must be examined to ensure that there is no gold contamination.
It is advisable to remove the mole.
If the mole “falls off” but there is no blood, perhaps the outer part of the nevus has become dead and separated spontaneously.
In this case, it is advisable not to delay a visit to the dermatologist, since the causes of necrosis are unclear.
Place the separated part in saline or boiled water and save for histological examination.
Diagnosis of a mole (nevus)
A dermatologist performs an external examination of the wound, first without equipment, and then using epiluminescence dermatoscopy.
A biopsy (removal of part of a mole for examination) is not performed, since repeated injury to the nevus is unsafe.
After consulting an oncologist, they decide where exactly the mole will be removed.
The ideal specialist in this case is an oncodermatologist.
But if there is none, you can sequentially visit two medical organizations: dermatovenereal and oncology dispensaries.
After the operation, the material is necessarily sent for histological examination.
It is this that gives the answer to the main question: has a “peaceful” mole become malignant?
When to see a doctor
You should shave your face, intimate areas, and areas where moles are located carefully - no one is immune from injury. Damaging hanging nevi is more dangerous; you should treat them carefully and treat them correctly. In some cases, specialist consultation is necessary:
- The bleeding doesn't stop. It weakens, then resumes again.
- Some people may develop a fever. Reason to seek help at the hospital.
- Redness of the skin around the wound, severe itching, and burning are not normal symptoms of wound healing. A dermatologist will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe complete removal of the formation and tests.
- If, after healing, a person begins to regularly pick up a mole, it must be completely removed, eliminating re-injury and suppuration.
- Hair loss on a nevus is an alarming symptom that requires medical intervention.
- A change in the color of a mole to a darker color may be a sign of malignancy. Education is prohibited from scratching or tearing off.
A person should receive antibacterial treatment, the need is determined by a doctor. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.
