Warts & Moles
Warts
Warts are small lumps that often develop on the skin of the hands and feet. Warts vary in appearance and may develop singly or in clusters. Some are more likely to affect particular areas of the body. Warts are non-cancerous, but can resemble certain cancers. Most people will have warts at some point in their life. They tend to affect children and teenagers more than adults.
What causes warts?
Warts are caused by an infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus causes an excess amount of keratin, a hard protein, to develop in the top skin layer (epidermis). The extra keratin produces the rough, hard texture of a wart.
Are warts contagious?
Warts aren't considered very contagious, but they can be caught by close skin-to-skin contact. The infection can also be transmitted indirectly from contaminated objects or surfaces, such as the area surrounding a swimming pool. You are more likely to get infected if your skin is wet or damaged. After you become infected, it can take weeks or even months for a wart or verruca to appear.
When to see your GP
Most types of warts are easy to identify because they have a distinctive appearance. You should always see your GP if you have a growth on your skin you are unable to identify or are worried about. Your GP will be able to tell if it's a wart simply by looking at it. Where it is on your body and how it affects surrounding skin will also be taken into consideration.
You should visit your GP if you have a wart that bleeds, changes in appearance, spreads or causes you significant pain.
Moles
Moles are small patches on the skin that form due to collections of cells called melanocytes, which produce the colour (pigment) in your skin. The scientific name for moles is melanocytic navel.
Moles are often a brownish colour, although some may be darker or skin-coloured. They can be flat or raised, smooth or rough, and some have hair growing from them. Moles are usually circular or oval with a smooth edge.
Moles can change in number and appearance. Some fade away over time. Some respond to hormonal changes.
When do moles develop and should I worry?
Some moles are present at birth, however most moles develop during the first 30 years of life. People with fair skin often have more moles than people with darker skin.
Most moles have a genetic cause and are inherited, this is often the case with people who have a lot of moles. Where you were brought up may also make a difference, for example, if you have spent a lot of time in the sun, you may have an increased number of small moles.
Most moles are completely harmless. However, they may be unsightly and affect your confidence. Moles can also be a nuisance, as they may catch on your clothing or you may cut them while shaving. These moles can be surgically treated, although it can be expensive.
Checking your skin
You should check your skin every few months for any new moles that develop. Look for:
• moles with uneven colouring – most moles only have one or two colours, but melanomas have lots of different shades
• moles with an uneven or ragged edge – moles are usually circular or oval with a smooth border
• bleeding, itching, red, inflamed (swollen) or crusty moles
• moles that get a lot bigger – most moles are no bigger than the width of a pencil
Moles can occur anywhere on your body, but most occur on the back, legs, arms and face.
If you notice any changes to your moles or are worried about them, see your GP. Changes to a mole may be an early indication of a type of skin cancer called melanoma.
Cancerous moles
While most moles are benign (non-cancerous), in rare cases they can develop into melanoma. Melanoma is a serious and aggressive form of skin cancer.
Melanomas usually appear as a dark, fast-growing spot where there was not one before, or a pre-existing mole that changes size, shape or colour and bleeds, itches or reddens.
Preventing cancerous moles
If you have a lot of moles, it is important to take extra care in the sun. Although it’s not always possible to prevent melanoma, avoiding overexposure to UV light can reduce your chances of developing it.
• stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest (between 11am and 4pm)
• cover up with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
• use a high-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF15) and reapply it regularly, particularly after swimming
• avoid using sunlamps or sunbeds because they give out UV rays
DISCLAIMER
The products sold on this site are not meant to cure, prevent or diagnose any disease. It is not suggested that these products should be used in place of consulting a medical practitioner. Perrin’s cannot guarantee results, but can only report what others say the products have done for them. If irritation occurs on using any product, you should discontinue use.
Warts
Warts are small lumps that often develop on the skin of the hands and feet. Warts vary in appearance and may develop singly or in clusters. Some are more likely to affect particular areas of the body. Warts are non-cancerous, but can resemble certain cancers. Most people will have warts at some point in their life. They tend to affect children and teenagers more than adults.
What causes warts?
Warts are caused by an infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus causes an excess amount of keratin, a hard protein, to develop in the top skin layer (epidermis). The extra keratin produces the rough, hard texture of a wart.
Are warts contagious?
Warts aren't considered very contagious, but they can be caught by close skin-to-skin contact. The infection can also be transmitted indirectly from contaminated objects or surfaces, such as the area surrounding a swimming pool. You are more likely to get infected if your skin is wet or damaged. After you become infected, it can take weeks or even months for a wart or verruca to appear.
When to see your GP
Most types of warts are easy to identify because they have a distinctive appearance. You should always see your GP if you have a growth on your skin you are unable to identify or are worried about. Your GP will be able to tell if it's a wart simply by looking at it. Where it is on your body and how it affects surrounding skin will also be taken into consideration.
You should visit your GP if you have a wart that bleeds, changes in appearance, spreads or causes you significant pain.
Moles
Moles are small patches on the skin that form due to collections of cells called melanocytes, which produce the colour (pigment) in your skin. The scientific name for moles is melanocytic navel.
Moles are often a brownish colour, although some may be darker or skin-coloured. They can be flat or raised, smooth or rough, and some have hair growing from them. Moles are usually circular or oval with a smooth edge.
Moles can change in number and appearance. Some fade away over time. Some respond to hormonal changes.
When do moles develop and should I worry?
Some moles are present at birth, however most moles develop during the first 30 years of life. People with fair skin often have more moles than people with darker skin.
Most moles have a genetic cause and are inherited, this is often the case with people who have a lot of moles. Where you were brought up may also make a difference, for example, if you have spent a lot of time in the sun, you may have an increased number of small moles.
Most moles are completely harmless. However, they may be unsightly and affect your confidence. Moles can also be a nuisance, as they may catch on your clothing or you may cut them while shaving. These moles can be surgically treated, although it can be expensive.
Checking your skin
You should check your skin every few months for any new moles that develop. Look for:
• moles with uneven colouring – most moles only have one or two colours, but melanomas have lots of different shades
• moles with an uneven or ragged edge – moles are usually circular or oval with a smooth border
• bleeding, itching, red, inflamed (swollen) or crusty moles
• moles that get a lot bigger – most moles are no bigger than the width of a pencil
Moles can occur anywhere on your body, but most occur on the back, legs, arms and face.
If you notice any changes to your moles or are worried about them, see your GP. Changes to a mole may be an early indication of a type of skin cancer called melanoma.
Cancerous moles
While most moles are benign (non-cancerous), in rare cases they can develop into melanoma. Melanoma is a serious and aggressive form of skin cancer.
Melanomas usually appear as a dark, fast-growing spot where there was not one before, or a pre-existing mole that changes size, shape or colour and bleeds, itches or reddens.
Preventing cancerous moles
If you have a lot of moles, it is important to take extra care in the sun. Although it’s not always possible to prevent melanoma, avoiding overexposure to UV light can reduce your chances of developing it.
• stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest (between 11am and 4pm)
• cover up with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
• use a high-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF15) and reapply it regularly, particularly after swimming
• avoid using sunlamps or sunbeds because they give out UV rays
DISCLAIMER
The products sold on this site are not meant to cure, prevent or diagnose any disease. It is not suggested that these products should be used in place of consulting a medical practitioner. Perrin’s cannot guarantee results, but can only report what others say the products have done for them. If irritation occurs on using any product, you should discontinue use.