If you have a mole that starts to bleed, itch, or grow it is time to make an appointment to see a dermatologist. At Dermatology Associates of Northern Virginia, now a part of U.S. Dermatology Partners, we are dedicated to assisting patients in the Centreville area with their skin care concerns.
Different types of moles
Almost every adult has a few moles. However, some types of moles increase the risk of melanoma including:
- Atypical moles – They may look like melanoma. Your risk of melanoma increases if you have four or more of these types of moles. If you have had melanoma or a parent, brother, sister, or child in your family has had melanoma you may be at higher risk of developing it. Atypical moles are often larger than pencil erasers, are oddly shaped, and are multi-colored (a mixture of tan, pink, red, and brown). They can appear anywhere on the body but are most common on the head, scalp, or neck. Some people may have familial atypical multiple mole-melanoma syndrome. This means they have more than 50 moles and some are atypical.
- Congenital moles – You are born with these types of moles. Roughly, one out of 100 people are born with moles that vary in size from small to large. Larger congenital moles increase the risk of developing melanoma.
- Spitz nevi – These can closely resemble melanoma and are often pink, raised, and dome-shaped. They may contain different colors such as brown, black, or red and may bleed or have openings that ooze.
If you are interested in learning more about the services and treatments we offer, contact Dermatology Associates of Northern Virginia Centreville. We assist patients of all ages in our state-of-the-art facility. We provide medical and cosmetic dermatology solutions to men and women at both our Centreville and Sterling locations. Our Centreville location can be reached at (703) 222-2773 and is conveniently located in Suite #301 at 13880 Braddock Road. We accept new patients who are ready for quality, comprehensive dermatological care.
Click here to Request a Consultation Online at our Centreville Location!
