Learn about moles, freckles, and skin tags, including their causes, treatment options, and when to seek medical attention. Meri Sehat has all the information you need.

Moles, Freckles, Skin Tags

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Ismail Munir

Several skin conditions are widespread and benign (non-cancerous). These disorders include freckles, moles, and skin tags. 
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Freckles are flat, black patches that normally only develop on skin that has been exposed to the sun. They frequently occur in persons with naturally-occurring red or blond hair.3

Moles are small skin marks that can be flat or raised, smooth or rough, and some even have hair, caused by pigment-producing cells in the skin. Some moles are dark brown or black, but some are skin-colored and yellowish. Moles can evolve over time and often react to hormonal changes.

Skin tags are flaps of soft, tiny skin that appear in the armpits, neck, and groin. They might have an impact on metabolic syndrome and the risk of heart disease. 
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Overview

Skin lesions are regions of skin that are distinct from the surrounding skin and are fairly common. They may arise from an accident or other skin damage, such as sunburn, or they may stem from an underlying condition, like an infection or autoimmune disorder. The majority of skin lesions are benign (non-cancerous) and safe, but they can also signal a more dangerous condition. 
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Freckles are caused by an increase in melanin pigment in the melanocytes. They appear on fairer skin types in parts of the skin that have been exposed to the sun, which is why they&rsquo;re seen more in the summer. Freckles are quite common and pose no health risks.

A mole is a tiny cluster of skin cells that grows unevenly, whereas a beauty mark is a cluster of skin cells that grow clustered. Therefore, the terms &quot;beauty mark&quot; and &quot;mole&quot; are virtually equivalent. Most adults have a couple of them. Adults with fair skin can have more moles; they can have 10-40 moles.2&nbsp;However, with more moles, there is a higher chance of developing melanoma. According to research, the risk of developing melanoma is elevated by 1.6 times in an individual with 11&ndash;25 moles.3 
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Skin tags are quite prevalent and often appear after midlife. Both men and women are equally impacted. Although they are not harmful, they can be removed for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes. According to statistics, 50-60% of individuals experience skin tags at least once in their lifetime, more probably after they turn 40.1 
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<h5>Freckles</h5>

There are two types of freckles: 
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<ul>
	<li>Ephelides: They are flat and normally red, tan, or brown in color. People usually picture ephelides when they hear the term &ldquo;freckle&rdquo;. They are primarily brought on by sun exposure and sunburns and are often found in white and Asian-American people4. Ephelides continue to develop until young adulthood. It also tends to deteriorate over time.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Solar Lentigines: These are skin patches that range in color from yellow to red to brown. They&rsquo;re also known as actinic lentigines, liver spots, and age spots since they typically appear in persons over the age of 40. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Moles 
&nbsp;</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Common Nevi: This is a regular mole, a little pink, tan, or brown growth with a distinct edge.</li>
	<li>Congenital Nevi: These are the moles that were found on skin at birth. Congenital nevi affects 1 in every 100 people. Compared to moles that form after birth, these moles may have a higher risk of turning into melanoma. A skin mole has a higher chance of developing cancer if it is more than 8 mm in diameter.</li>
	<li>Dysplastic Nevi: These irregularly sized moles are larger than a pencil eraser. Dark brown cores and unevenly colored margins are common characteristics of dysplastic nevi. People who have these, have more than 100 moles, and they are usually hereditary. With dysplastic nevi, there&rsquo;s a higher risk involved of it developing into malignant (cancerous) melanoma. A dermatologist should look for skin cancer if a mole changes in any way. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Skin Tags</h5>

There are no types of skin tags. 
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Signs and Symptoms

Freckles: Freckles may only present themselves as skin discoloration. 
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Moles: Common moles are usually benign. They often remain the same in size, color, shape, and texture:

<ul>
	<li>Round and symmetrical, with a well-defined border&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Less than 1/4 inch or 6 mm long</li>
	<li>Flat or raised</li>
	<li>Uniform in color, meaning the entire mole is either: 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

1.&nbsp;Brown

2.&nbsp;Black

3.&nbsp;Tan

4.&nbsp;Pink

5.&nbsp;Red

6.&nbsp;Blue

7.&nbsp;Flesh-toned 
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Atypical moles or dysplastic nevi can be flat or elevated. Typically, they exhibit the following characteristics:

<ul>
	<li>Shaped irregularly, with uneven borders that fade into the skin around the mole</li>
	<li>Bigger than 1/4 inch in size</li>
	<li>Smooth, bumpy, rough, wrinkled, or scaly</li>
	<li>More than one color or speckled (e.g., flesh-toned edges with a brown center) 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Skin Tags: Skin tags frequently develop on the neck, eyelids, or other areas with skin folds and friction, such as the breasts, groin, or armpits. They resemble small mushrooms with slender stalks and smooth or uneven caps, and they produce skin flaps or grow on a short stem known as a peduncle.

When they initially form, skin tags often look like soft pinhead pimples, although they can sometimes get bigger. Lesions can range in size from 2-10 mm, with some developing as high as 50 mm, depending on the stem length. 
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The majority of skin tags don&#39;t hurt or exhibit additional symptoms. However, if big lesions are present where the skin rubs against itself or gets caught in jewelry or garment, they may cause itching .and be uncomfortable.

Large skin tags may also hurt if they rupture or if the stalk twists and develops a blood clot. 
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Causes

Freckles: They mostly appear as a result of sun exposure and increased sensitivity to UV radiation. Another factor is genetics; the type of melanin (pheomelanin or eumelanin) depends on the MC1R gene. 
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Moles: Moles develop when skin cells gather in one area of the skin rather than spreading out evenly. Melanocytes, which produce the pigment that gives skin its unique color, make up the majority of moles. 
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Skin Tags: Although the specific source of skin tags is unknown, larger skin patches might become stuck with collagen and blood vessel clusters. Skin tags seem to be more common in some people due to genetics.

Both men and women can develop skin tags. However, they are more common in pregnant women, obese individuals, and diabetics. 
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Diagnosis

Freckles: Freckles are a very common skin condition. They can be easily diagnosed upon physical evaluation by a healthcare provider. 
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Moles: A doctor can usually diagnose moles with a skin exam. If one or more of the ABCDEs of melanoma is present, a doctor may additionally do a skin lesion biopsy. 
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<ul>
	<li>A: Asymmetry in the mole&#39;s appearance when examining both halves</li>
	<li>B: Borders are irregular and not well-defined; rather, they&rsquo;re jagged or blurred</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>C: Color has changed (e.g., darker than it was) or is unusual </li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>D: Diameter is larger than 1/4-inch or the end of a pencil</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>E: Evolving or causing new symptoms (e.g., itching, crusting, bleeding) or changes in shape or size 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Skin Tags: Skin tags are diagnosed by medical professionals following a quick examination. Medical history is important for proper screening and diagnosis of disorders that increase the likelihood of developing skin tags. A brief examination helps exclude growths that can resemble skin tags. 
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Treatment

Freckles: There is no need to treat freckles because they nearly always pose no health risks. However, as with many skin lesions, it&#39;s advisable to limit exposure to the sun and to wear sunscreen every day. This is especially true if an individual is prone to freckles or doesn&#39;t want to get any more freckles. With topical treatments, laser therapy, and cryotherapy, freckles can be lightened. 
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Moles: A biopsy will be performed if a dermatologist determines that a mole requires more examination. If the dermatologist suspects the mole may be malignant, taking it out won&#39;t accelerate the disease. If the mole is malignant, the dermatologist will remove the whole mole or scar from the biopsy site, including a rim of normal skin surrounding it. 
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Skin Tags: Skin tags usually do not require treatment, especially if they&rsquo;re painless. They can be removed for aesthetic reasons. &nbsp; 
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<ul>
	<li>Freckles:&nbsp;are not dangerous. However, people with freckles have skin that is more sensitive to sunlight. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Moles: Some moles are more susceptible to developing into melanoma. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Skin Tags: There are no complications associated with skin tags. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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Freckles: There are no risk factors associated with freckles. 
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Moles: Damage that is caused by the sun may elevate the risk for moles. 
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Skin Tags: Skin tags are noncancerous and don&rsquo;t increase a person&rsquo;s risk of developing other health issues. However, certain risk factors may make people more likely to get skin tags, such as; 
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<ul>
	<li>Old age </li>
	<li>Being overweight or obese </li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/diabetes-type-1-and-2">Diabetes</a></li>
	<li>Hormonal changes</li>
	<li>High cholesterol 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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<h5>Freckles</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Wear wide-brimmed hats when going outside.</li>
	<li>Always apply a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, with a sun protection factor before going outside.</li>
	<li>Avoid going out during peak UV hours. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Moles</h5>

Mole development cannot be prevented. According to a study, damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can also affect the DNA in skin cells. This may result in the development of new moles or the progression of existing ones to melanoma.11 
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<h5>Skin Tag</h5>

Even while there may be no way to prevent skin tags from developing, a doctor can offer advice on how to handle medical issues, such as obesity, that make the individual prone to the skin tag. Prevention techniques include getting restful sleep every day and making fitness a priority. 
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Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Skin lesions are regions of the skin that are distinct from the surrounding skin. Skin lesions are common. They may arise from an accident, skin damage, such as sunburn, or an underlying infection or autoimmune disorder. The majority of skin lesions are benign (noncancerous) and safe, but they can signal a more dangerous condition.</li>
	<li>Freckles are caused by an increase in melanin pigment in the melanocytes. They appear on fairer skin types on parts that are exposed to the sun. Freckles are quite common and pose no health risks. </li>
	<li>A mole is a tiny cluster of skin cells that grows unevenly, whereas a beauty mark is a cluster of skin cells that grow clustered. Therefore, the terms &quot;beauty mark&quot; and &quot;mole&quot; are virtually equivalent.</li>
	<li>Skin tags are quite prevalent and often appear after midlife. Both men and women are equally impacted. Although they are not harmful, they can be removed for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes.</li>
	<li>Skin tags frequently develop on the neck, eyelids, or other areas with skin folds and friction, such as the breasts, groin, or armpits. They resemble small mushrooms with slender stalks and smooth or uneven caps, and they produce skin flaps or grow on a short stem known as a peduncle.</li>
	<li>Moles develop when skin cells gather in one area of the skin rather than spreading out evenly. Melanocytes, which produce the pigment that gives the skin its unique color, make up the majority of moles.</li>
	<li>Mole development cannot be prevented. According to a study from 2020, damage from ultraviolet radiation from the sun can also affect the DNA in skin cells. This may result in the development of new moles or the progression of existing ones to melanoma. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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