Wart and Mole Removal

Moles (nevi) are pigmented growths on the skin that occur when melanocytes, or pigmented skin cells, develop in clusters. Moles are very common and come up at different developmental stages in a person’s life, usually until around the age of 40. After this, many moles will fade away over time. Atypical moles are those that appear to be unusual in shape and color and are different from all the other moles a person has. Atypcial moles, also called dysplastic nevi, are a marker of increased risk for the development of skin cancer. Dermatologists recommend getting a mole checked checked if it appears different, grows larger, or changes in color in contrast to other moles on your body.

Warts are skin growths that are caused by a type of virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV. There are more than a hundred types of HPV known to infect the skin, usually through an area of broken skin. HPV causes the top layer of skin to grow rapidly and this is what forms the wart. Warts can grow anywhere on the patient’s body and are most common among children and young adults. They usually go away on their own within months or years, but may need professional treatment when they start to spread or become painful.

What are the different types of warts?

• Common warts are those that are most often seen on the hands and may also grow on other parts of the body. They are dome-shaped, rough, and grayish-brown in color.
• Plantar warts are those that grow on the soles of the feet. They are thick, hard patches of skin that cause pain when the patient walks, much like stepping on a piece of stone.
• Flat warts are those that generally grow on the face, arms, or the legs. They are small with flat tops and candy pink, brown, or yellowish in color.
• Filiform warts grow on the areas around the mouth, nose, or the beard. They are skin-toned and appear to have threadlike growths sticking out of them.
• Periungual warts grow under the toenails and fingernails and look like rough bumps with uneven borders and surfaces. These warts affect nail growth.