If you have a mole that is growing or has irregular borders, you should not ignore this health issue. Receiving abnormal mole evaluation is a good way to screen for precancerous growths, skin cancer, and other health problems. You can achieve these goals by receiving a mole screening from the experts at Steele Creek Dermatology in Charlotte, NC.
It’s normal to have multiple moles on your skin. In general, having moles is not a sign that you are suffering from a medical problem. However, developing an abnormal mole may indicate that you have a type of skin cancer called melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology has made a list of signs that may indicate that you have an abnormal mole. These characteristics are called the ABCDE warning signs.
A normal mole is likely to have a symmetrical shape. In contrast, abnormal moles may be asymmetrical. If you place a straight line through the center of an asymmetrical mole, each half will have a unique shape.
The borders of a normal mole are usually round and even. If you have a mole that has irregular, badly defined, or scalloped borders, this can be a warning sign of skin cancer. To protect your health, you should schedule a mole screening at our office.
Common moles are usually one color. In contrast, an abnormal mole might contain different shades of black and brown. As this mole becomes bigger, it may develop blue, red, or white areas.
Having a mole that has a diameter that is at least six millimeters can be a warning sign of skin cancer.
You should pay special attention to any moles that are experiencing changes. For example, the size, shape, or color of your moles may begin to evolve.
It’s very important to monitor all of the moles and blemishes on your skin. If you notice any warning signs, you should visit our office for a mole screening. During your abnormal mole evaluation, we will look for skin cancer and other health problems. Treating melanoma and other skin issues at an early stage can increase the effectiveness of your treatment.
When you visit our office in Charlotte, you should be prepared to tell us about any moles that are changing, have irregular borders, or display other warning signs. We will carefully examine your moles and analyze the condition of your skin. We will also use a medical device called a dermoscope to examine the structures and pigmentation in your moles. This is a quick process, and you will feel relaxed while we are completing your abnormal mole evaluation.
Under some circumstances, we may need to remove one of your moles and send it to a lab for a biopsy. Removing a mole is generally a very quick, straightforward process.
If you have skin cancer, we can use a variety of methods to improve your health. If your skin cancer has not spread, we may be able to treat this problem during a quick appointment at our office in Charlotte.
During an excision, we will remove your problematic growth and excise a margin of healthy-looking skin.
During a Mohs procedure, we will carefully remove a thin layer of skin. Once we have removed this skin, we will use a microscope to look for cancer cells in this layer. We will continue to repeat this process until we do not see any cancer cells in your skin.
If you have squamous cell skin cancer or small basal cell cancer, we may use this method to improve your health. During your appointment, we will use a special tool called a curette to scrape out your cancer. Next, we will cauterize your treatment area. To remove your skin cancer, we will usually need to repeat these steps three times.
Adopting healthy habits will decrease your chance of experiencing skin cancer. In addition to receiving abnormal mole evaluations, you can protect your health by putting sunscreen on any areas of uncovered skin whenever you spend time outside. You should put one ounce of sunscreen onto each of your exposed areas and reapply your sunscreen at least once every two hours.
To ensure that your skin receives sufficient protection, you should use a waterproof sunscreen that has a high SPF. If you are spending time swimming or in a snowy area, you should take extra steps to protect your skin from sunburns and other problems.
If you have a mole with irregular borders, an asymmetrical shape, or other warning signs of skin cancer, you should receive a mole screening from a trained dermatologist. Receiving an abnormal mole evaluation is a good way to screen for precancerous growths, skin cancer, and other health issues. To schedule a screening, contact us today at Steele Creek Dermatology in Charlotte, NC.
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