• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Water’s Edge Dermatology
  • Partner with Us
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Patient Portal
  • Services
    • Medical
      Dermatology

      Overview

      Skin Growths

      Skin Rashes

      Skin Infections

      Dry Skin & Related Conditions

      Facial Skin Conditions

      Hair & Nail Disorders

      Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

    • Surgical
      Dermatology

      Overview

      Skin Growths

      Mohs Surgery

      Plastic Surgery

      Skin Conditions

      • Pediatric
        Dermatology

        Overview

        Acne

        Birthmarks

        Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

        Hemangiomas

        Molluscum Contagiosum

        Warts

    • Cosmetic
      Dermatology

      Overview

      MediSpa & Aesthetic Skin Care

      Wrinkle Reducers & Fillers

      PRP Treatments

      Thread Lift

      Laser Treatments

      Body Contouring

      Intimate Health & Wellness

      Special Offers

      Ask the Cosmetics Experts

    • Skin Cancer
      Treatment

      Overview

      Mohs Surgery

      Electron Beam Therapy (Radiation)

      Skin Cancer Prevention

    • Plastic
      Surgery

      Overview

      Facial Procedures

      Breast Procedures

      Body Procedures

      Reconstructive
      Surgery

    • The Vein
      Center

      Overview

      Face & Hand Veins

      Leg Veins

      Before & After Gallery

      Our Vein Providers

      Find a Vein Center

      Insurances Accepted

      Compression Wear Products

  • Locations
  • Our Providers
  • Resources
    • Patient Education

      Patient Library

      WEderm Videos

      Insurances Accepted

      Patient Information

      Patient Care Instructions

    • For Patients

      Patient Portal

      New Patients: Info & Forms

      Patient Rights & Responsibilities

      Prescription Refills

      Pay Your Bill

    • Community

      Press Releases

      Blog

      Events

      Patient Stories & Reviews

    • Shop

      Special Offers

      Shop Skin Care Products

      Sign Up for Emails

  • Products
    • WEderm

      ZO Skin Health

      EltaMD

      SkinBetter Science

      DefenAge

      Silagen

      SkinCeuticals

      Dermaka

      Vein Compression Wear

  • Join Us
    • Careers

      Partner with Us

  • About
    • Our Story

      Our History & Care Philosophy

      Our Leadership

      Patient Stories and Reviews

  • Blog
  • Bill Pay
  • Services
    • Medical Dermatology
      • Overview
      • Skin Growths
      • Skin Rashes
      • Skin Infections
      • Dry Skin & Related Conditions
      • Facial Skin Conditions
      • Hair & Nail Disorders
      • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
    • Surgical Dermatology
      • Overview
      • Skin Growths
      • Mohs Micrographic Surgery
      • Plastic Surgery
      • Skin Conditions
    • Cosmetic Dermatology
      • Overview
      • MedSpa & Aesthetic Skin Care
      • Wrinkle Reducers & Fillers
      • PRP Treatments
      • Thread Lift
      • Laser Treatments
      • Body Contouring
      • Intimate Health & Wellness
      • Special Offers
      • Ask the Cosmetics Experts
    • Skin Cancer Treatment
      • Overview
      • Mohs Micrographic Surgery
      • Electron Beam Therapy (Radiation)
      • Skin Cancer Prevention
    • Plastic Surgery
      • Overview
      • Facial Procedures
      • Breast Procedures
      • Body Procedures
      • Reconstructive Surgery
    • Vein Centers
      • Overview
      • Face & Hand Veins
      • Leg Veins
      • Before & After Gallery
      • Our Vein Providers
      • Find a Vein Center
      • Insurance Accepted
      • Compression Wear Products
    • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Locations
  • Our Providers
  • Resources
    • Patient Education
      • Patient Library
      • WEderm Videos
      • Insurance Accepted
      • Patient Information
      • Patient Care Instructions
    • For Patients
      • Patient Portal
      • New Patients
      • Prescription Refills
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Community
      • Press Releases
      • Blog
      • Events
      • Patient Stories & Reviews
    • Shop
      • Special Offers
      • Shop Skin Care Products
      • Sign Up for Email
  • Products
    • WEderm
    • ZO Skin Health
    • EltaMD
    • SkinBetter Science
    • DefenAge
    • Silagen
    • SkinCeuticals
    • Dermaka
    • Vein Compression Wear
  • Join Us
    • Careers
    • Partner with Us
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our History & Care Philosophy
    • Our Leadership
    • Patient Stories & Reviews
  • Blog
  • Bill Pay
  • Water’s Edge Dermatology
  • The Vein Center



Call (877) 900-3223

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Our Services
  • Find a Location
  • Meet Our Providers
  • Insurance Accepted

Common and Atypical Moles

January 28, 2015

Skin cancer is a prevalent problem in the United States, with an estimated one in five Americans developing the condition over the course of their lifetime. Typically caused by a combination of UV exposure, risk factors, and genetic predisposition, skin cancer is not only life-threatening, but can also result in a number of troubling side effects, including a weakened immune system and candida infections in the lungs, liver, and skin.

For this reason, it is important that patients take measures to prevent harmful sun exposure, stay informed of their risk factors, and schedule regular appointments with dermatology and skin cancer specialists at a local dermatologist clinic. This is especially important for people who have more than 50 moles, large moles, or atypical moles, as these conditions can substantially increase one’s risk of developing melanoma and needing treatment for skin cancer. This article aims to answer many questions people with these moles, or atypical nevi, may have, including how to identify a cancerous mole and when you may need to undergo a dysplastic nevus removal. Read on to learn about this common risk factor.

Moles
Moles are a common physical feature that are either present at birth or appear during childhood. By adulthood, most people will have anywhere from ten to 40 moles, also called nevi, above the waist on areas exposed to the sun. They are typically smaller than 5 mm, have defined edges, and can be pink, tan or brown. New moles can develop over time due to sun exposure, but it is important to regularly check all of these marks for physical changes, as pain or a difference in appearance can be a sign of cancer.

Atypical Moles
In contrast, a mole with unusual characteristics is called a dysplastic nevus. These nevi may be bigger, have an uneven shape, mixed colors, or an irregular border. Like normal moles, these are typically found in areas that receive a lot of sun exposure, but can also develop in areas that are not exposed to the sun and below the waist. People with a high number of typical moles often have several dysplastic nevi mixed in. Having a high number of these nevi is part of a condition called dysplastic nevus syndrome, which has an even higher likelihood of developing melanoma.

Having dysplastic nevi can be nerve-wracking, as the moles often naturally resemble skin cancer. However, while a person’s chances of developing melanoma and other skin cancers increases with the number of dysplastic nevi they have, these moles often remain stable as long as the person protects their skin, eschews tanning, and performs a self-exam at least once a month. If a change is noticed in a mole’s texture, appearance, or sensation, the patient should make an appointment with their dermatologist immediately. Some patients may wonder if they can undergo a dysplastic nevus removal to avoid these measures; however, because new moles and patches can form on the skin, this is often pointless and expensive. Instead, a dysplastic nevus removal is typically reserved for the process of identifying and treating skin cancer.

Having an increased risk of skin cancer can be a frightening prospect. However, by taking the proper steps, you can help protect yourself from the condition, even if you have common or atypical moles. How do you protect yourself from skin cancer?

Footer

Schedule an Appointment:
(877) 900-3223

  • Water’s Edge Dermatology.
  • The Vein Center
    • Contact Us Call (877) 900-3223
© 2021 Water's Edge Dermatology | All Rights Reserved | Privacy & Legal Information

Sign Up For Special Offers

© 2021 Water's Edge Dermatology | All Rights Reserved | Privacy & Legal Information
  • Special Offers
  • Patient Portal
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Services
  • Sitemap
  • The Vein Center Overview
  • Patient Resources
  • Blog
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Skin Care Products
  • Locations
  • Find a Vein Center
  • Our Vein Providers
  • Our Providers
  • Insurance Accepted
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Join Us

Water’s Edge Dermatology is a leading full service dermatology practice providing medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, skin cancer treatment, and plastic surgery, and Vein Centers. Water’s Edge Dermatology has 37 office locations throughout Florida.