What are skin tags?

Skin tags are a real irritation. They are very common around the neck, underarms, eyelids and groin area. They are often hereditary and can occur during pregnancy due to hormones. They look like pigmented pieces of flesh hanging from the skin and can cause irritation by snagging on clothing and can bleed. The most effective way to remove them without scarring is with cosmetic electrocautery and electrodesiccation.

What is a mole?

A mole is a collection of pigment cells present within the skin. These cells are known as melanocytes. Sometimes moles are referred to their scientific term, melanocytic naevi. They are extremely common. Most people are born with a few moles and develop others during their lives. They vary in size from some barely visible, to large covering virtually the entire body (termed bathing trunk naevi).

What causes moles?

Most moles are simply the result of a harmless overgrowth of the pigment cells within the deeper layer of the skin. Most moles develop spontaneously or are caused by exposure to sunlight and tend to appear on those areas of the skin that catch the most sunlight, usually the trunk/arms and legs. Most of these moles appear during the first 20 years of life, although they may continue to develop into the 30s and 40s. However, the majority disappear with age.

Why are moles a concern?

The main worry with moles is that a small number may go on to develop a form of skin cancer so called malignant melanoma. This form of skin cancer, which can be fatal, is best spotted early and treated with surgical excision.

Who is at risk?

The presence of moles should not cause you serious problems. But large numbers, more than 25, are an indication of susceptibility to melanoma. So, you should take great care about exposure to sunlight. If there is a family history of malignant melanoma, you should be particularly vigilant about changing moles.

What are the symptoms of a malignancy?

The mole is itchy and painful

Increased size or an increasingly irregular appearance, especially at the edges

A change in colour, particularly if the mole gets darker or becomes mottled

Spontaneously bleeding

Satellite pigmented lesions such as new moles develop/extend beyond the original mole

How is malignancy diagnosed?

Although most changes in the size, shape and colour of moles are due to a benign, non-cancerous increase in number of pigment cells, any mole that looks unusual should be examined. Your doctor will probably request information on recent changes to the mole along with a family history to assess your risk. If only mild changes are found, your doctor will usually only need to take a clinical photograph of it or measure it and ask you to keep an eye on it. The mole’s appearance may be reviewed in a later appointment.

General advice:

Avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight, particularly during the two hours on either side of midday when the sun’s rays are strongest, and avoid getting sunburn

Keep covered up in sunlight and apply sunscreen on exposed skin

Examine your moles regularly and get someone to check those you cannot see