Is it Normal for a New Mole to Appear? Causes and When to Be Concerned

You've recently noticed an increase in the number of moles on your body and are concerned about whether they're dangerous to your health or may lead to more serious health problems. To get answers to all your questions, we got the best skin specialist in Delhi, Dr. Nivedita Dadu at Dadu Medical Centre, to cover all the areas of your concerns. Learning from an expert dermatologist will surely put your anxiety to rest. 

With age, the skin goes through several changes and that can lead to several marks, bumps, or some moles. Moles are typically pigmented growths on the skin. But is it really a matter of concern if you see a sudden increase in them? Let’s try to understand them. 

What are Moles?
Moles are formed when melanocytes, which are the cells in the skin, grow in clusters. Melanocytes are generally distributed throughout the skin. These cells produce melanin, the natural pigment that gives the skin its colour. Moles are most commonly known as acquired or common moles. All moles are not created equally. Having certain types of moles or large numbers of moles on your body can be due to an increased production of melanoma, but there is nothing to be worried about every mole. The colour and size of moles can change with age. As per the reports, a healthy adult is expected to have around 10 to 40 moles that can appear on any part of the body. With age, the size and colour of moles can start to change. Moreover, these changes are normal. The moles are brown or black colored growths on the skin.These can be present at the time of birth and can develop until the age of 50. 

Dr. Nivedita Dadu, skin doctor in Delhi further added that moles appear on the skin when pigment cells in the skin don’t spread throughout the skin, instead they grow in clusters. The melanocyte cells present in the skin are responsible for providing the skin with its natural colour.

What Causes Moles on the Body?
There are various reasons which can cause the production of moles. The skin specialist added that moles can be formed because of excess exposure to sunlight, tanning of skin, or even genetics or family history of moles. They are mainly caused when there is an overproduction of melanin pigment in the skin. 

Are Excess Moles on Your Body a Sign of Health Problems?
Moles seem to be found very commonly in the human body. They don’t usually indicate any health risks. There are very rare cases of unusual moles that can end up being cancerous in nature. The appearance of too many moles can be due to too much exposure to sunlight. Though these moles are generally harmless, it is always advisable to look out for signs that can change with age, says the doctor. 

What Should You Particularly Look Out for?
A mole which is not undergoing any changes is harmless. However, suspicious changes in moles, such as pain, crusting, and bleeding, accompanied by a sudden appearance if there are too many moles, can be indicative of malignant changes. Dr. Nivedita Dadu says, "These symptoms could be a sign of melanoma and will require immediate attention from a dermatologist." Melanoma is a very rare skin disease. Sometimes, a very high number of moles can turn cancerous and develop into melanoma. In addition to paying attention to the type of mole on the skin, it is critical to keep track of the number of moles on the body. The presence of more than 50 normal moles can also be a point of concern as it can be a risk factor for skin cancer. Thus, the best skin doctor suggests that if you notice a very high increase in the number of moles, you should consult the dermatologist for the same.

There are other risk factors that are extremely harmful to the skin as well.

• Always use caution during sun exposure, particularly assuming that you are prone to being sunburned or if you live in an exceptionally sunny climate. 
• Exposure to specific unnatural substances and openness to radiation can likewise increase the risk for skin conditions.

Dr. Nivedita Dadu is an eminent dermatologist and the pioneer and director of Dadu Medical Centre. The best dermatologist in Delhi for skin, Dr. Nivedita Dadu can be consulted at her centers in Rajouri Garden (West Delhi) & Vasant Vihar (South Delhi) for managing all types of dermatological issues. Do visit her if you are facing any concerns related to your skin, hair and nails.