A mole, also known as melanocytic naevus, is a dark and small spot on the skin. It can either be a pigmented or a subdermal growth on the skin. Moles are mostly formed of melanocytes and the dark color can be attributed to the high concentration of melanin. Moles are a type of skin lesion.

Moles are usually oval or circular in shape and not too large. Almost everyone has moles on some or the other part of the body. Moles may be present at birth or develop in the later years. Congenital moles are considered to be a minor malformation or a hamartoma. Acquired moles are a form of benign neoplasm. Atypical or Dyplastic nevi mole syndrome is a condition that causes a person to have a larger than usual concentration of moles.

Scientists have still not been able to figure out why moles develop or what purpose they serve.

Moles can develop virtually anywhere such as the armpits, scalp, face, hands, legs, back, fingers, toes, the area between fingers and toes and even under the fingernails or lips. New moles can also appear in mid life and old moles can fade away with age, this is because moles usually last for fifty years.

Moles can also be reddish brown, flesh colored. Some are as small as pinheads and some are larger than 8 inches in diameter. The surface of the mole can be flat, wrinkled, or raised. In many cases, a mole might start out as a brown and flat spot and in the course of time become lighter in color or slightly raised. Sometimes moles resemble small stalks which eventually get rubbed off.

Certain hormonal changes during adolescence and pregnancy can make moles larger, darker or more numerous. Intake of birth control pills can also alter their look. However certain changes in moles should not be taken lightly. This is because these might be indicative of more serious skin diseases such as skin cancer. In fact itching, burning, pain, bleeding, oozing, inflammation, crustiness or a scaly appearance, and sudden difference in shape, size, elevation or color should be cause for concern and you might want to see a doctor.

Certain types of moles have more than an average risk of taking a cancerous turn. These include large moles that are present at birth. In fact moles that are bigger than the palm of the hand can be quite risk. A cluster of moles can also be indicative of more serious conditions. Moles that resemble fried eggs with light uneven borders and dark brown centers also put you at a greater risk to develop melanomas.

There are no treatments for moles as such and they can be removed only through minor surgeries or shaving techniques like shave excision, punch biopsy or Excisional surgery. Moles are quite harmless unless they take a cancerous turn. The best way to detect potential problems is to keep a strict check on the mole. In case of strange developments like the ones mentioned above, it is best to get a diagnosis from your health care provider or doctor.