Synonyms in a broader sense
Liver spot, nevusA birthmark is a special form of liver spot, i.e. a benign proliferation of pigment-producing skin cells. In medical terminology, the synonyms pigment nevus or nevus are common. The term “birthmark” is chosen rather superficially and does not provide any information about the type of proliferated cells.
In general, a birthmark can develop from red blood vessel cells, yellow sebaceous gland cells or other cells. This also explains why birthmarks can have different colors. Some birthmarks are visible after birth, but in the course of life the number of these skin changes increases in most people.
Most birthmarks are completely harmless phenomena without malignant character. Nevertheless, some of these skin spots are at risk of degeneration and thus of developing malignant forms of cancer (malignant melanoma). An itchy birthmark is a serious symptomatology that should be clarified by a doctor, as it can be an indication of the degeneration of the birthmark.
Especially birthmarks that change in the course of time should be presented to a specialist. If a birthmark changes, a degeneration must be excluded. Furthermore, a birthmark that itches or bleeds should be urgently examined.
A bleeding birthmark does not necessarily indicate malignancy in every case. Often the sometimes strong itching makes the affected patient start scratching the mole. Bleeding is not considered a separate warning sign in this case.
Further signs of malignant melanoma are in the area of the skin change. The itching in the context of a visible skin change is called “pruritus cum materia”.
- Color or shape
- Becomes larger or uneven
- Pain (see: Painful birthmark)
- Stitching
- Burning
Causes of itchy moles and their potential dangers
If a patient notices a birthmark that itches, it must be examined for degeneration. The itching in the area of this form of skin change is in many cases a serious warning sign. A frequent cause of a birthmark that itches is the presence of a so-called malignant melanoma (black skin cancer).
Although a malignant melanoma can be removed quickly and easily, it is still a serious disease due to the high metastasis rate. The malignant melanoma tends to spread mainly via the lymphatic and bloodstream and infiltrate other organs. Malignant melanoma is the most common fatal skin disease.
A strong increase in cases of malignant melanoma can be observed worldwide. This fact can be explained by the increased sun exposure to which many people are exposed. Especially the use of sunbeds is a serious problem nowadays.
Other risk factors for the development of such melanoma are: Besides it can be stated that above all light-skinned humans with blond hair and blue eyes fall ill more frequently with black skin cancer itching. Although it is much more common that a dark birthmark itching is due to a malignant skin change, the so-called white skin cancer can also lead to severe itching. In contrast to malignant melanoma, white skin cancer can take many different forms.
Due to the strong hormonal changes in the course of pregnancy, an increased number of new moles can be observed in expectant mothers.
- Malignant forms of cancer already passed through
- Strongly weakened immune system
- Family history and
- Disturbances in the DNA repair system
- Early form (actinic keratosis)
- Basal cell tumor (basal cell carcinoma) or
- Squamous cell carcinoma (sting cell cancer, spinalioma)
A birthmark that itches can be examined for malignancy by the patient himself at home. The application of the so-called “A-B-C-D-E rule” helps to obtain an initial assessment of the cause of the birthmark itching.
Each letter in this rule stands for a characteristic of the skin spot that should be assessed. The more of these points apply, the more important it is to have the birthmark examined by a specialist (dermatologist) as soon as possible.A doctor can identify the early stages of a degenerative birthmark that itches. Especially the use of a so-called incident light microscope has established itself in the clinical routine.
From the age of 35 onwards, every conspicuous skin change should be examined for degeneration by this procedure at intervals of two years. As a rule, a suspicious birthmark that itches is removed as quickly as possible and sent to a special laboratory for more precise diagnosis.
- A= Asymmetry (Is the shape of the birthmark uneven or is it a round/oval mark?
)
- B= border (Is the border irregularly bordered/fringed or jagged? )
- C= Coloration (Has the color of the birthmark changed over time? )
- D= diameter (Does the diameter of the birthmark increase over time?
Is the diameter of the birthmark more than 6mm? )
- E= Subliment/development (Has the birthmark changed? Do bleedings occur?
Does the birthmark itch? Does the birthmark stand out from the surrounding skin level)
Normally moles do not cause any problems: they are painless, irritation-free and except for a dark discoloration without noticeable signs. All moles and moles have in common that you do not feel them at first.
A sudden itching – if it is not due to the condition of the skin in general (for example, due to very dry, scaly skin or as a sign of neurodermatitis) – is therefore, like pain, a reason to have the birthmark examined by a dermatologist. Of course, itching does not always mean that the diagnosis of a malignant tumor follows, but pain in particular should be interpreted as an indication of a possible degeneration of the affected skin area and taken seriously. In general, severe pain indicates an already advanced stage of malignancy of a tumor. This should then be confirmed or excluded as quickly as possible. If the birthmark itches and hurts, an appointment with a dermatologist is indicated.
