Symptoms
The acquired mole offers a morphological diversity. What they have in common, however, is that they are small (less than 5 mm in diameter), round, not quite sharply defined and not excessively pigmented. In addition, they usually blend well and homogeneously into the surrounding skin.
Depending on the stage of development, the mole offers a somewhat different picture. In the first stage – as junctional nevus – it looks small and flat. The color varies from light to dark brown; reddish forms are also present.
Furthermore, junctional nevi often have a granular surface. Coumpoundnävi, on the other hand, the next stage, are larger, more raised and knotty, but also homogeneous. The color is light – to dark brown.
Frequently there are also hairs. The last stage finally, the dermal nevus, usually occurs in the second half of life. Compared to the predecessor species it is more prominent and fleshier.
The hemispherical form is smooth and possibly hairy. The congenital mole, on the other hand, is larger, usually 1 to 3 cm, and lies deeper than the acquired ones. Their roundish to oval shape is well defined, homogeneous, knotty and brown to brown-black, becoming darker over time.
They often show hairiness. They also show less spontaneous regression. Other malformations, which do not affect the skin, also occur in about 10% of those affected, for example, on the eyes, ears or skeleton.
Even more rarely, neurofibromatosis (a hereditary disease with, among other things, new nerve formations) or involvement of the meninges (colonization with nevus cell nevi) is also present. Clark’s nevus represents a special form of acquired moles. It is larger (larger than 5 mm), round, flat, and darker and raised in the center.
Partially or completely they are reddish, the border is blurred. If a mole itches, this can have various causes. Not always something dangerous is behind it, but if the symptoms persist, a specialist should be consulted.Under no circumstances should an itchy mole be scratched open, as it can become inflamed and possibly degenerate.
A possible cause for itching can simply be very dry skin or mechanical skin irritation. Just as other parts of the skin can itch in this condition, this can also affect liver spots. In this case, the symptoms usually subside of their own accord within a few days.
An oily cream can be used to support this process. An inflammation or infection of a mole can also be the cause of the annoying itchy feeling. But here, too, it is important not to scratch!
If it is eczema due to an allergic reaction, for example, the dermatologist should be consulted so that a cortisone-containing ointment can be applied to the mole if necessary. Besides these rather harmless causes, itching can also be a warning sign of malignant skin cancer. The itchy feeling is caused by the reaction of the surrounding tissue to the change or degeneration of the mole.
Especially if the itching is accompanied by a burning or stinging sensation, this should always be clarified by a specialist. Also sudden bleeding without previous scratching is very suspicious. In this case it is important to consult the doctor as early as possible in the course of the disease, because for the prognosis of the skin cancer disease an early start of the therapy with the early removal of the degenerated liver spot is of essential importance.
In addition, itchy liver spots that have had a long time to grow deep into the skin have an increased probability of metastasis (spreading) of the cancer. The diagnosis includes the clinical appearance. Incident light microscopy is helpful here.
This is the magnifying glass observation of the mole with a dermatoscope. The so-called ABCD-rule is applied in the division, which can be used to differentiate whether a benign nevus or a tumor (melanoma) is present. The letters stand for “asymmetry”, “limitation”, “colorit” and “diameter”.
The benign mole is symmetrical, sharply defined, homogeneously pigmented and smaller than 5 mm. However, this rule is only an aid and approximation of differentiation, a proof of benignity or malignancy does not succeed. If removed, a histological (= microscopic) examination of the material usually follows, so that the diagnosis can be made with certainty.