Moles – Causes, Warning Signs and Prevention
What causes moles?
Instead of spreading on your skin and produce melanin, melanocytes grow in clusters or clumps, forming moles. They can occur anywhere on the body including your scalp, the soles of your feet and palms of your hands and are usually about ¼ inch in diameter, round or oval and pink, tan, or brown.
Atypical moles or dysplastic nevi are generally bigger, flatter, with irregular edges. The causes of such moles are still unknown.
Possible risk factors of moles include:
- genetics
- fair skin
- weak immune system
- more than 100 moles
- A personal or family history of melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer
- Photosensitivity
- exposure to ultraviolet radiation
- repeated sunburns