Moles: How to Care for Your Child

Moles are growths on the skin. They're usually brown or black. They can be small or large, and flat or bumpy. Some moles go away on their own or lighten in color as a child grows older. Most moles don't cause any problems, but watch for any changes.

• Ask your health care professional how often to check your child's moles. Look for changes in color, shape, size, or texture.

• Care for your child's mole as you do the rest of the skin.

• Teach your child not to pick at or squeeze the mole.

• The mole changes size, shape, color, or texture.

What causes moles? Moles form when special skin cells called melanocytes group together. The melanocytes have pigment (or color) in them and this shows up as a mole. Kids can be born with moles. Moles also can develop as a child grows. Moles often run in families. They're more common in kids who spend time in the sun without sunscreen.

Can a mole lead to skin cancer? Most moles don't cause any problems. However, kids who have a lot of moles or a very large mole might have a higher chance of developing skin cancer. These sun safety steps can lower the risk of skin cancer:

• Never use an indoor tanning bed or tanning lamp.

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when possible.

• For kids younger than 6 months, use shade or clothing to protect the skin when outside.

• For kids older than 6 months, use sunscreen on parts of the body that are not covered by clothing.

• Make sure the sunscreen says "broad spectrum" on the label and has an SPF of 30 or higher.

What do health care professionals do about moles? Most moles are harmless and don't need treatment. Your health care professional might recommend regular checkups to look for any skin changes. If a mole needs to be removed, a health care professional can do this with surgery, laser therapy, or other methods.