Red moles on the body: causes of occurrence and location
Red moles are small bumps that can occur on almost any area of the body, but most often they can be seen on the neck, face, chest or back. Although such moles are very similar to small, ordinary moles, their main difference is the bright red color.
Bright red is associated in most people with an alarm. Therefore, when red moles are found on the body, the causes of the appearance of such growths become one of the most disturbing people of the questions with which they turn to dermatologists.
However, most red birthmarks disappear as suddenly as they appeared. This does not mean that red birthmarks appear for no reason, there are some serious conditions that can provoke their appearance.
Kinds
What most people call red moles are actually cherry angiomas - benign growths of the skin, which consist of blood vessels. These growths of the skin can appear anywhere on the body, but most often appear on the torso. They can appear in men, women and children - and are most often visible on the body of people over the age of 30.
Nevus and angioma are not necessarily the same thing. Nevus is a generic term for what we often call moles. Usually nevi appear during the first two decades of human life and, as a rule, remain for life. A single flat spot is the most common form of a mole.
Angioma is a cluster of capillaries (small blood vessels) that grow abnormally and protrude above the surface of the skin. Angiomas are not birthmarks in the traditional sense and they are not permanent entities unless they turn into something else.
There are two types of angiomas - hemangiomas, which arise from dilated blood vessels and lymphangiomas, which are formed from lymphatic vessels.
The size of red moles range from a barely visible point on the skin of 1 mm to a small speck of 4 mm (sometimes up to a centimeter), and the color varies from reddish to purple. If you look at different photos with cherry angiomas, you can see that many of them are raised in the shape of a dome, while others are slightly convex or completely flat.
These neoplasms painlessly appear and disappear. Their main problem, as a rule, consists in unaesthetic appearance. Angiomas rarely cause serious health problems, but you should pay attention to them if they swell or grow in size.
Causes of
The dermatologists are familiar with red moles on the skin. The causes of the appearance of angiomas, as a rule, lie in the anomalous growth of small blood vessels due to the factors of our daily life, which gave rise to disturbances in the circulatory system.
That is why red moles may appear on the skin:
- Liver problems. It is known that one of the main causes of the appearance of red moles on the skin is a failure of the liver. Therefore, the appearance of red moles requires consultation not only from a dermatologist, but also from a therapist who will prescribe the necessary tests to check liver function.
- Bad food. Because of bad eating habits, the human body accumulates an excess of toxins that are stored in organs such as the liver or intestines. It causes symptoms such as red moles on the skin. The causes of these benign tumors are often associated with excessive pressure in the veins, which, in turn, is due to an unbalanced diet.
- Sun exposure. Red moles may appear because the skin has received too much ultraviolet rays.
- Age. Although you can try to slow down the aging process, it is more likely to cause red moles. Such moles with aging can appear endlessly, even despite the removal of the previous ones.
- Anxiety, stress, or depression.
Types of formations
Where are they located
Very often, adults and the elderly have red moles on their skin. The reasons for the appearance of these formations are overgrown and stuck small capillaries, so if such a mole is damaged, it tends to bleed.
Usually red moles are localized in the neck, chest or back, although they may also appear on the genitals, chest, legs and armpits.
What causes red birthmarks on the body and how to remove them
In children, red birthmarks - benign vascular tumors - are rare and are mainly due to heredity. That is, there is no means to fight or prevent their appearance. Very often, the birthmark of a newborn disappears by itself.
During pregnancy
Pregnant women, due to their situation, often tend to overestimate the seriousness of a particular health condition. Therefore, they often ask the doctors who are leading the pregnancy, the question “what causes red birthmarks on the body” and are worried if they will harm the baby.
One of the reasons for the appearance of red moles on the body or red spots - hormones. During periods of menstruation or pregnancy, the appearance of red moles on the body is not uncommon. After the hormonal background returns to normal, the angioma can disappear as suddenly as it appeared.
Are dangerous
Red moles are generally harmless and are not an alarming sign of skin diseases. However, they are indicators that signal that you should reconsider your diet, or that you suffer from the effects of stress, hormonal changes or simple genetics. However, you must control this type of moles and seek medical help in specific situations.
Red moles can be dangerous in the following cases:
- They appear suddenly and in large numbers.
- If the edges of moles are fuzzy and its texture is coarse, you should contact a dermatologist. Perhaps the mole is reborn into melanoma - the most aggressive type of skin cancer. This is also indicated by the large size of the mole (more than 6 mm) and its heterogeneous color.
- If you see that the color of the mole becomes darker, it is also recommended to visit a dermatologist.
What if a red mole scratches
If the birthmark is scratched, it is worth paying close attention to it, especially if itching is accompanied by pain and peeling. It is advisable to visit a dermatologist or oncologist, they will be able to say exactly what causes red moles on the body of a particular patient, and whether they develop into a malignant formation.
If the mole scratches very rarely, then most likely there is no danger in it. It can be gently scratched with a pad of your finger, making circular movements, and slightly pressing on the nevus.
Is it possible to sunbathe and keep active
To engage in sports and other active activities for people with red moles is not contraindicated. What causes red moles on the body - and these are genetic, age-related, stressful and dietary factors - an active lifestyle does not affect, or it only has a positive effect. But sunbathing should be with care, for a short time and using a strong sunscreen. Regardless of the causes of red birthmarks, the sun can damage them like any other part of your skin.
Removal of formations
How to remove
Dermatologists usually perform removal of nevi directly in the office using a local anesthetic. The removed mole is sent to the laboratory for biopsy to determine its benign or malignant nature.
When it comes to cherry angioma, there are many possible removal options, such as:
- Electrocautery is one of the most effective options for removing red moles on the skin. A small sensor can burn a wart or mole quite easily - and, as a rule, in one visit. After the procedure, there is usually no scarring on the skin.
- Pulsed laser : using a concentrated beam of light, which is converted into heat, you can burn a red mole. This method is similar to electrocautery, but may require more than one procedure, depending on the number of moles to be removed.
- Cryosurgery is another way to get rid of cherry angioma. It is used to treat many medical problems, including some types of cancer, as well as getting rid of warts and nevi. Liquid nitrogen is used for freezing and subsequent removal of moles . This method of treatment is quick and effective, but can cause temporary numbness or tingling in the area where the mole was.
- Excision is a less common method for removing moles, in which the doctor will cut off thin layers of moles until it disappears completely. This method can lead to scarring and, as a rule, works best for a mole that is significantly elevated above the skin.
Not all people decide to resort to hardware and surgical methods of getting rid of red moles and rely on folk methods. One of the most effective of these, according to reviews on various forums, is ordinary castor oil. It can be used to moisturize the skin, reduce scars and stretch marks, and even moles.
Dampen a cotton swab in castor oil and place it on top of the red mole. Keep the swab on the mole during the day and remove before bedtime. Repeat the procedure during the week.
Red birthmarks themselves are not dangerous, so there is no medical reason to remove them. However, the appearance of a cherry mole is a reason to visit a dermatologist, who will check your skin for signs of cancer. An angioma may be masked by a more serious condition, such as Merkel cell carcinoma, which may look like small red papules on the skin.
