Moles are skin growths affecting most people seeking medical care. Although the appearance of moles on the skin is not something to be concerned about, there may be cases where a doctor may recommend mole removal. This is especially if the skin growth is cancerous or gets easily irritated due to your clothes rubbing on it. Some patients decide to treat their Chevy Chase moles/nevi to prevent them from interfering with their skin’s overall appearance.
Is your mole cancerous?
Although you can diagnose skin cancer on your own at home, it would be best to seek medical intervention from a dermatologist. The most accurate test for cancerous moles is cancer screening. Dermatologists usually recommend patients with a medical or family history of skin cancer go for more regular checkups to detect early signs of cancer and thus develop a treatment plan that will prevent the disease from progressing. If you notice that your mole is asymmetrical, with irregular borders and color, it might be cancerous, and you need to book an appointment with a dermatologist to receive the necessary emergency care that will control your condition.
What you should expect from a mole removal session
The best thing about a mole removal procedure is that it does take a lot of time, and you may not need to stay in hospital. Most dermatologists perform mole removal as an in-office procedure. However, you may still need to attend follow-up visits so that your dermatologist can monitor your recovery to ensure treatment efficacy. There are different ways your doctor can remove your mole, depending on the location and severity of your condition. For example:
- Freezing: Your dermatologist will use liquid nitrogen to eliminate cancerous cells from your skin.
- Burning: This treatment involves passing an electric current on the top layer of the mole to kill the cancerous cells. You may need several sessions to eliminate the mole.
- Shaving: A dermatologist will carefully remove the mole by carefully shaving it off of the skin’s surface.
- Excision: Although this procedure is similar to shaving, your doctor will need to go deeper into the skin to cut out the entire mole and then use stitches to cover your skin back together.
Can you treat moles at home?
If you do not like how your mole makes your skin look, you can try home remedies to eliminate it. However, it is crucial to talk to your doctor before trying any at-home mole remedies to prevent you from making your condition worse. Also, you need to ensure that your mole is benign before proceeding with home remedies. Some of the ways you can deal with your moles at home include:
- Apple cider vinegar: The pH of this substance can burn the mole off of your skin.
- Aloe vera: This substance has a lot of benefits for your skin and can kill the cells inside the mole.
You can also apply garlic and iodine, which could eliminate the mole from inside. If none of the home remedies successfully remove your mole, call the offices of Ali Hendi, MD, to schedule a mole removal appointment that will help restore wellness to your skin.