Dr. Komarovsky about moles in children

There are no people who do not have a single mole on the body. In this case, their own education on the skin of the parents worry much less than similar manifestations in children.

The fact is that almost all mothers have heard that a mole can cause skin cancer, and therefore lead children to pediatricians with questions about whether cute spots on the skin of babies are really dangerous. Such questions have to be answered by well-known doctor and TV presenter Yevgeny Komarovsky.

In medicine, moles are called nevi. Komarovsky calls to distinguish birthmarks, which are also nevi, but always congenital, from moles, which in all cases, without exception, appear after birth. Education on the skin in children are different: large and small, protruding above the skin and located at its level. From the medical point of view, a mole is a cluster of melanocyte cells. These cells can accumulate inside the dermis, in this case they speak of intradermal formation. In the epidermal nevus, the accumulation of melanocytes occurs in the outer layer of the skin. Also distinguish the so-called hanging nevi: strongly protruding and very traumatic.

Color can be any, from brown to black and even purple.

Most often, nevi appear on the face. And if the newborn practically can not boast of the presence of moles, then in the first years of life they may appear, and this is not surprising. There is a theory that birthmarks are also present in newborns, but they are so small that it is not possible to consider them without magnifying optical equipment.

The reasons for which children begin to appear such education, until the end of science, alas, is unknown. But There are several predisposing factors that directly affect how many moles will be and how bright they will be.

• Genetic inheritance. Have you noticed that mothers and daughters often have birthmarks in the same place? This is a manifestation of genetic moles, because of which, in fact, nevus were called “Rodinki”. Information about them is laid at the DNA level.
• Frequent and long stay in the open sun: Ultraviolet rays stimulate melanin production and as a result, new moles appear.
• Hormonal changes and "storms": any period of human life associated with hormonal adjustment (puberty, pregnancy, etc.) is accompanied by the formation of new nevi.
• Radiation injury, viral skin diseases.

In the moles themselves, Yevgeny Komarovsky does not see a reason for feelings and excitement.

The presence of a nevus is not a danger, says Komarovsky. But you should know that theoretically the appearance of malignant cells in a mole is quite possible, and in this case, a deadly disease can begin - melanoma.

There are five criteria by which you can distinguish a safe mole from a dangerous one.

• Symmetry. If you mentally draw an imaginary line through the center of education, then both its halves should be the same. If the mole is asymmetrical, you should consult with your doctor.
• Edge evenness. The edges of a safe nevus are smoothed, even and clear. Blurred, pointed edges, uneven - again, a visit to the doctor.
• Evenness of color. No matter what color the mole is, it is important that it be evenly colored over the entire area. The presence of adjacent bright and dull spots within one nevus is an alarming sign of dangerous pigmentation.
• The size. It is believed that a safe mole should not exceed 6 millimeters in area. If the mole is more - definitely need to meet and talk to the doctor.
• Development dynamics. An important role is played by the "behavior" of a nevus. If it appeared and does not grow, there is nothing terrible about it. If the mole grows too fast, you should definitely pay attention to it and make an appointment with the baby to see a doctor.

By the way melanoma, although considered to be one of the most dangerous oncological problems, is rather successfully treated, if it is detected early. And this is another strong argument in favor of diagnosis and self-diagnosis.

It happens that children accidentally or misunderstanding injure moles. If a child has torn off a nevus at the age of 2 or at an older age, parents should not panic and hysterical about this. If the injury is not systematic, says Yevgeny Komarovsky, then it is absolutely not dangerous for the baby. It is difficult to keep a rolling three-year-old child who comprehends not only the world around, but also his own body.

Trauma of the mole can be associated with a longer bleeding than the usual wound, and this too is completely normal. but systematic stripping and traumatizing moles can be dangerous. Hence the conclusion: if the mole is inconvenient, it is easy to damage it with clothing or something else, it is worth it to get rid of it without any doubts.

Yevgeny Komarovsky urges everyone to say goodbye to the myth that it is impossible to touch moles in any way.

Yevgeny Komarovsky advises parents to stop panicking and reading “horror stories” about sadly completed nevi. First of all, you need to delve into your own pedigree: if the baby had people who suffered from melanoma, who suffered from a giant nevus, etc., then you should definitely visit genetics to evaluate the individual risks for the child. Moles in these kids really need more attention.

Also to avoid problems with moles will help the following recommendations.

• You are less in the open sun, especially during periods of high solar activity (from noon to 16–17 hours), especially if the child is blond with delicate white skin and blue eyes. At the time allowed, sunbathe with your child using sunscreen, remember the benefits of a beach umbrella.
• Keep track of the dynamics of nevi, even if they are safe.
• Try not to damage the spots, do not hurt.
• If a hair grows out of a nevus, it is impossible for the child to pull it out, you need to carefully cut it with scissors, without damaging the skin and not violating their integrity.
• For all dubious questions about moles and warts, you need to contact not an ordinary healer, but an ordinary doctor.

More details about moles Dr. Komarovsky tells in this video.