Are black moles cancerous?
Malignant melanoma, which starts out as a mole, is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, killing almost 10,000 people each year. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but they can be almost any color; skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white. Melanomas are caused mainly by intense UV exposure.
Why do I have a black mole on my head?
A mole can appear anywhere on your body, including your scalp. Like other moles on your body, those on your scalp should be monitored for changes that could be an early warning sign of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer.
Are black moles OK?
It is always safe to have these lesions assessed due to the dark pigment. However, if your mole is dark in colour and different to others, or if it has changed in colour to become dark, do seek advice from a skin specialist. The mole pictured above is an example of a melanoma mole.
Should I be worried about a black mole?
Any moles that appear newly in adulthood should be checked. The most concerning sign, however, is a changing mole. So that’s what we check for. If you notice a change in colour or shape, or the mole becomes itchy, painful or starts to bleed, see a doctor immediately.
Are black round moles normal?
A normal mole is usually an evenly colored brown, tan, or black spot on the skin. It can be either flat or raised. It can be round or oval.
What is black spot on scalp?
Black dots, also called comedo-like cadaver hairs, can be found in almost 50% of alopecia areata patients and indicate disease activity. Trichostasis spinulosa is a follicular disorder resulting from the retention of numerous hairs surrounded by a keratinous sheath in dilated follicles.
Why do I have a black mole?
What Causes a Mole? Moles occur when cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These cells are called melanocytes, and they make the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Moles may darken after exposure to the sun, during the teen years, and during pregnancy.