What does nevi look like?

A common mole (nevus) is a small growth on the skin that is usually pink, tan, or brown and has a distinct edge. A dysplastic nevus is often large and does not have a round or oval shape or a distinct edge. It may have a mixture of pink, tan, or brown shades.

Can flat moles be cancer?

Although very few moles become cancer, abnormal or atypical moles can develop into melanoma over time. “Normal” moles can appear flat or raised or may begin flat and become raised over time.

What are the different types of skin moles?

The most common types of skin moles include:

• Congenital mole. Moles you’re born with.
• Common mole (also called acquired mole). Harmless moles that appear on the skin after birth.
• Atypical mole (also called dysplastic nevus).

What is a dysplastic mole?

(dis-PLAS-tik NEE-vus) A specific type of nevus (mole) that looks different from a common mole. Dysplastic nevi are mostly flat and often larger than common moles and have borders that are irregular. A dysplastic nevus can contain different colors, which can range from pink to dark brown.

What is a blue freckle?

A blue nevus is a benign type of mole. It may be present at birth or develop as a person ages. Doctors refer to more than one blue nevus as blue nevi. There are several different types of blue nevi. Common blue nevi are benign and will remain unchanged throughout a person’s life.

What is a flat mole?

Flat moles are generally small in size and are mostly brown or black in color. Though they are known to be harmless, but there are also chances of these flat moles resulting in skin cancer, which is why it is important to be aware of various methods which can be used to remove flat moles.

What is an intradermal mole?

An intradermal nevus (also called an intradermal melanocytic nevus) is simply a classic mole or birthmark. It typically appears as an elevated, dome-shaped bump on the surface of the skin. It’s estimated that about one percent of newborns are born with an intradermal nevus.

What is the medical name for a mole?

The medical name for mole is nevus or melanocytic nevus. Multiple moles are called nevi. Essentially, moles are just a collection or clump of pigment cells called melanocytes. While melanocytes normally occur in small numbers in the skin, when these cells bunch up in a nest, they then create what is visible as a mole.

What does it mean when you have moles on your face?

Moles may be flat or raised. Sun exposure in childhood causes an increase in the number of moles. Most moles appear by age 30. Moles may be mistaken for freckles and other skin growths. Irregular enlarging moles may either be skin cancer or develop into a skin cancer called melanoma.

What are other skin lesions that look like moles?

However, there are a variety of other skin lesions that are also mole-like. These include seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, dermatofibromas, lentigines, and freckles. In this article, the term moles will be synonymous with melanocytic nevus.

What does it mean when a mole is smaller than normal?

These moles are usually smaller than a quarter inch, and are thought to be due to excessive sun exposure. Most acquired moles will not develop into skin cancer. Atypical moles. Atypical moles (also known as dysplastic nevi) are larger than a pencil eraser and shaped irregularly. These moles are usually uneven in color, with a dark brown center.