Pediatrics - Moles
Introduction
Moles are dark spots on the skin. Babies can be born with moles. Moles also appear over time. Heredity and spending time in the sun may influence the amount of moles that your child has.
Some people have moles removed because they are bothered by the way they look. In other cases, moles are removed because they appear precancerous or cancerous. Your child should have a doctor perform a full body mole check. Your doctor can remove moles in his or her office.
Anatomy
The dermis is the second layer of skin. It is made up of connective tissue and provides structure. It is composed of collagen and various elements that give the skin strength and elasticity. The dermis contains hair cells, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands that secrete oils to hydrate the skin.
Subcutaneous tissue composes the inner most layer of skin. Subcutaneous tissue contains fat cells. The fat cells insulate the body and make the skin appear plump and full. Below the subcutaneous tissue are fat tissues, muscles, and bones.
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Am I at Risk
Is My Child at Risk?
Risk factors may increase your child’s likelihood of developing moles, although some people that develop them do not have any risk factors. People with all of the risk factors may never develop moles; however, the chance of developing moles increases with the more risk factors your child has. You should tell your doctor about your child’s risk factors and discuss your concerns.
Risk factors for moles:
_____ Moles appear to have an inherited factor. If your child’s close family members have moles your child has an increased likelihood of developing them.
_____ Sunlight exposure appears to play a role in mole development. Sunlight can also contribute to precancerous or cancerous changes in moles. People that spend a lot of time outdoors, such as construction workers, lifeguards, and recreational enthusiasts tend to develop more skin changes than people that do not spend large amounts of time in the sun.
Complications
Advancements
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.
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