Sometimes adults are surprised to discover that new moles have appeared on their bodies. And the discovery often makes them wonder, “How did this mole get here?”
While most moles appear in childhood or within your first 20 years of life, there are many reasons why moles may appear during adulthood. The important thing is, if you discover a new mole, you need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Perri at Perri Dermatology ASAP to determine if mole removal is necessary, as new moles in adults are more likely to be melanoma than existing moles.
Causes of New Moles in Adults
There are several reasons why adults may develop a mole later in life. These causes include:
Hormonal Changes
We all know that women’s bodies change dramatically during pregnancy and menopause, and these changes can also include changes to the skin.
Increasing Age
The older a patient is, the more likely they are to develop a new mole.
Skin Type
Those with lighter, fair, or red skin and hair are not only more likely to have existing moles, but they are more likely to develop new moles in adulthood, too.
Family History
If you have a family history of atypical moles, don’t be surprised if you develop them when you’re an adult. While considering mole removal is important for every dermatology patient, it’s especially necessary for those who have a history of moles that aren’t normal.
Immune System Response
Moles can result from your body responding to drugs, or certain antibiotics, hormones, or antidepressants that suppress your immune system. All medications have side effects, and some medications make patients develop new moles. Dr. Perri can determine if mole removal is necessary, so make sure you give him a full list of all the medications you take.
Genetic Mutations
Certain genes are known to cause moles in adulthood, and it’s believed there are many yet-to-be-discovered genetic causes of adult moles, too.
Sun Exposure
While you can’t avoid the sun, you should wear sunscreen every single day. It would help if you also avoided tanning beds at all costs to ensure you don’t damage your skin and risk the appearance of precancerous or cancerous moles. Getting sunburns, being exposed to the sun, or using tanning beds can potentially increase the risk of moles.
As you can see, there are so many different reasons that a patient may develop a new mole. The important thing is, if you do notice a new mole anywhere on your body, see Dr. Perri ASAP to determine if mole removal is necessary to biopsy the mole and check it for cancerous or precancerous cells.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Perri to See if Mole Removal is Necessary
It would be best if you didn’t wait for your annual skin screening to show Dr. Perri your newly discovered mole but make an appointment as soon as it is discovered so he can properly examine it.
To do so, call Perri Dermatology today at (281) 943-2749.
