Many people believe that a damaged mole can lead to disastrous consequences. For most people, a dark tubercle on the human body represents something mysterious and dangerous. Is this really true? Can you die if you pick off a mole? What to do if this happened by accident and who to turn to for help? The answers to these questions are quite simple. But first, it’s worth understanding what a mole is and whether it is so dangerous.
General views
A mole is an area of skin that has undergone pigmentation. In this place, as a rule, many melanocyte cells accumulate. Experts call moles nevi. It is melanin that influences the color and formation of dark growths on human skin.
Moles are most likely to appear in those who are regularly exposed to ultraviolet rays. Nevi can be small growths that rise above the surface of the skin, or they can be flat and completely invisible. This phenomenon can also be explained. The shape of moles depends only on where the melanocytes are located under the skin. But why can't you touch them?
In fact, a mole is a benign neoplasm. However, she is unpredictable. In other words, under certain conditions, a nevus can become a malignant neoplasm. It is for this reason that you should not touch it.
Is she easy to hurt?
What happens if you pick off a mole? First of all, there will be blood. What will happen next is very difficult to predict. In any case, you should consult a doctor. Dermatologists say that a nevus can form anywhere, and it is simply impossible to predict this. It is worth noting that moles often form even on the feet. Experts recommend monitoring the emergence of new formations and knowing where exactly they are located.
In fact, you can damage a mole unnoticed. It won't be a big deal. For example, a nevus on the cheek. Most often, these formations are very disturbing, and what happens if you pick off a mole through carelessness? You should be more careful. In addition, there are potentially dangerous places, for example:
- Nevi that appear on the neck. They cause a feeling of discomfort and are often injured, as friction occurs against scarves and clothing collars.
- Moles that are on the back. Often women tear them off with bra straps. And then I accidentally picked off a mole. What to do? Injuries like these should not be taken lightly. First, you should treat the wound and then consult a doctor.
- Moles on the face. They are very often torn off by men while shaving. As you know, damage to a nevus is fraught with consequences. Therefore, it is worth removing them from the face in the clinic.
You cannot remove or rip off moles on your own. It is very dangerous. Experts do not recommend even touching them frequently.
What happens if you pick off a mole?
What does this mean? It is worth remembering that even small moles that have not shown themselves for many years are dangerous. Under certain conditions, a nevus can develop into melanoma. If a mole is damaged, this risk only increases. It is also worth considering that the larger the nevus, the greater the likelihood of getting blood poisoning after violating its integrity.
So, what happens if you pick off a mole and don’t treat the wound? As a result of damage to the nevus, cells with melanin can enter the blood. Their behavior is known to be aggressive. As a result of the activity of such cells, the process of degeneration of a mole can begin.
Of course, such changes are not always observed. Most often, a new one begins to gradually grow in place of the removed mole. There are often cases when an accidentally damaged formation disappears completely. It depends on the cells that caused the mole to appear.
Parents! be careful
A child is by nature very curious. Did your daughter pick off a mole while looking at her hands? What to do and what to do? Why did the child do this? Most likely, he became curious. But there are times when a nevus can bother a child and itch. If the mole is still torn off, then first aid must be provided. The damaged area should be treated with hydrogen peroxide and then a bandage applied. After a child has injured a mole, it is worth showing him to a dermatologist.
As a rule, specialists must take skin samples and conduct all necessary tests. When the result is received, the doctor will determine whether additional treatment is required. There is often a need to consult an oncodermatologist.
The main task of parents is to explain to the child that moles cannot be removed. After all, children are attracted to strange dark spots on the skin, and it is very difficult to resist the temptation to pick at them. Older children can be explained what to do if a nevus is damaged.
Women should be careful
Is it possible to pick off a mole or not? Of course, no one forbids doing this. However, it is better not to take risks. Representatives of the fairer sex should pay special attention to a damaged nevus. Statistics show that skin cancer, which can occur due to a skinned mole, ranks second after breast cancer.
In addition, experts have proven that the cause of every third melanoma disease is a damaged nevus. Therefore, it is undesirable to rip off and injure moles.
When to visit a doctor
A mole is essentially a harmless new growth. However, you should not touch it unnecessarily. If the nevus has been damaged, discomfort may occur. A doctor's consultation may be required in the following cases:
- In the area of the damaged mole, unpleasant sensations such as burning and itching occurred.
- The nevus began to gradually or sharply increase in size.
- If changes in the structure and shape of the mole are observed: the surface cracks, begins to peel and becomes looser.
- Severe bleeding.
- Inflammation and pain occurred.
Finally
If the nevus was still a melanoma, well disguised as an ordinary mole, then you should not worry the first time it is damaged. Much more dangerous are neoplasms that are malignant tumors. At first, they may seem like ordinary small moles. Any damage to such a neoplasm can lead to its degeneration.
But even in the presence of such nevi, the risk of developing cancer is minimal. Statistics show that the mortality rate from melanoma does not exceed 0.2%. The main thing is not to worry or panic. After all, the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases is 50%.
Moles on the skin of people are quite common and do not pose any danger. However, there are situations when formations are damaged and bring discomfort to a person. Many people do not know what to do if they rip off a mole and what first aid to administer.