Mole Removal Fort Dodge IA

Find top doctors who perform Mole Removal in Fort Dodge, IA. Whether you’re seeking treatment or looking to schedule a preventative screening, we can connect you with the best dermatologists near you in Fort Dodge, IA.

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Mole Removal FAQ in Fort Dodge, IA

What causes moles to suddenly appear?

Researchers are not sure why moles suddenly appear later in life. Most that do are benign and occur likely because of age, prescription drug use, sunburn or extensive sun exposure and genetic mutations. Any mole that appears and looks unordinary can be a cause for concern. New moles are more likely to become cancerous.

What deficiency causes moles?

Avoiding all sunlight exposure if you suffer from light sensitivity, or to reduce the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers, may be associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Individuals avoiding all sun exposure should consider having their serum Vitamin D measured.

How long can you live with a cancerous mole?

Survival for all stages of melanoma almost all people (almost 100%) will survive their melanoma for 1 year or more after they are diagnosed.

Can you just cut off a cancerous mole?

Some people are tempted to just cut off a mole at home. This is dangerous, and you should never do it. If your mole has cancerous cells, you may not get all the cancer when you cut the mole, and you may even cause cancer cells to spread.

How painful is mole removal?

Since you’ll be given a local anesthetic before the procedure, you shouldn’t experience any pain or sharpness during mole removal. If you do, be sure to let your dermatologist know right away. After mole removal, you should expect some type of scar.

What size mole should be removed?

As a general rule, a healthy mole should be no more than 6mm in diameter, or about the size of the width of a pencil eraser. If you have a mole that is noticeably larger than this, schedule an appointment with your physician.

How long can you have a cancerous mole without knowing?

For example, certain types of skin cancer can be diagnosed initially just by visual inspection — though a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. But other cancers can form and grow undetected for 10 years or more , as one study found, making diagnosis and treatment that much more difficult.

What do early stage cancerous moles look like?

Border that is irregular: The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin. Color that is uneven: Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen.

Is it worth removing a mole?

Moles can become cancerous and, if this condition is not diagnosed quickly, the affected cells can spread to other parts of the body. Mole removal can prevent the spread of cancerous and pre-cancerous cells and address your cosmetic concerns in one simple procedure.

Do you need stitches after mole removal?

Stitches are placed depending on the depth of the mole. They may be placed deeper, where they are absorbed by the body and do not have to be removed. Stitches also may be placed on the surface of the skin. Surface stitches may need to be removed later.

Can I remove my own mole?

Between the cosmetic risks, potential for incorrect removal and very real risk of not properly addressing a dangerous skin cancer, Dr. Sarnoff says trying to remove a mole at home is highly inadvisable. “I would never recommend at-home mole or skin tag removal,” she says.