Mole, Wart Or Freckle…Time To See A Doctor ASAP

Your skin is the largest organ of the body, and its most vulnerable. It is often exposed to the elements and not taken as much care of as other parts of the body. Most of us tend to concentrate our skin care efforts on the face and neck. Skin on the other parts of the body remains unattended to, and can develop many issues over time.

The most common skin problems that people in Dubai face are the formation of moles, warts and freckles on the skin. This article looks at all three in detail, as well as the treatments for each.

What is a mole? How different is it from a wart?

Both moles and warts are growths on the skin. However, they are formed on the skin due to different factors.

• A mole has different colours, and may be skin-coloured, light or dark brown, or black. It may appear as a single one, or in a cluster. Most moles are seen on exposed areas of the skin, or the mucous membranes. Moles first appear during childhood and new ones may appear by the 20s. Most adults have up to 40 moles on various areas of the body. Most moles are only slightly raised from the skin and you may have to touch it repeatedly to know it is there. However, some moles become more raised during their lifespan and may even change colour. Others might fade and disappear over time and some might not change their appearance at all.
• Meanwhile, a wart is a growth on the skin caused by an infection brought on by the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) that is naturally present on the skin. It has a harder, rougher texture than the rest of the skin, and can be seen and felt easily. The HPV infection causes excess keratin (a protein that builds skin and hair) to proliferate at the epidermis, thus causing the wart to form there. Warts can be as small as a pinhead and as big as a pea. Some warts die out and fall off on their own, but others might require medical intervention for removal.

What’s a freckle? Need I worry about it?

Freckles are tan coloured spots on the skin. They form on the exposed areas of the skin, particularly the face, as a result of sun exposure. They are extremely common and are considered a sign of beauty in certain cultures. They are most commonly seen on white or pale skin.

Since they are normally caused by UV radiation, they tend to fade over time when the skin is protected with clothing and/or sunblock lotion, and during the winter months when the sunlight intensity is lower.

Freckles are normally harmless and may fade over time with the right care and protection. However, freckles that appear suddenly and are more reddish than brown or tan may be a precursor to skin cancer or melanoma. Certain kinds of freckles may become larger and rougher over time as a result of previous sun damage.

Freckles may be hereditary in nature. If an elder in the family has had them as a child, you may inherit them as well.

When should I see a doctor for moles, warts or freckles?

Usually, moles, warts and freckles are quite harmless and you don’t need a doctor to examine them. This is especially true if they fade or disappear without a trace over time.

The biggest indicator that a mole, wart or freckle needs to be looked at by a skin specialist is when it abruptly changes colour or size, or becomes inflamed and/or painful. A wart, mole or freckle that feels sore or painful to the touch needs to be checked by a professional, who may recommend a blood panel and other tests to examine an underlying health condition.

Most people head to skin specialists in Dubai to have their warts surgically removed. The doctor can examine the nature of the wart during this time and rule out chances of skin cancer, for example. The same applies to a sudden outbreak of moles or freckles on the skin.

How these skin problems are treated

Let’s look at the treatment modes for each:

* Moles: Most skin specialists in Dubai would not recommend removing a mole unless it is painful or unattractive to you. The doctor will either surgically excise or ‘shave’ off the mole. In excision, the mole is cut out entirely from the skin, leaving a hole or cavity that is sutured back. The mole is then examined under a microscope to detect cancer cells, if any. On the other hand, the mole is shaved bit by bit using a surgical blade to check for cancer. Shaving gives a better look at the mole’s interiors, leading to a more detailed prognosis.

* Warts: Highly trained skin specialists in Dubai use minimally invasive methods to remove warts. They use radiofrequency treatments to infuse the wart with a high energy, low temperature wave. This cauterizes the wart and an electric probe burns it off completely. The burnt wart is gradually shed by the skin. This method does not leave any scar tissue at the site.

* Freckles: Freckles are treated with a variety of methods, from applying topical creams containing retinols and bleach, to laser treatment and cryosurgery. Chemical peels may also be administered to fade and remove the freckles through a few sessions.

Do DIY remedies work?

Most DIY remedies do not work for reducing or removing moles, warts and freckles. Indeed, they may delay essential treatment while you wait for them to show results. The most that can be said in favour of DIY home remedies is that they may hydrate and nourish the skin to some extent, if you use fresh and skin-friendly ingredients. However, knowing which ingredients and substances to use is important, or you might cause more harm than good.

If you want a cure to your mole, wart or freckle, it is best to entrust treatment to a good skin specialist in Dubai.