What are the Possible Causes of Moles?

What Causes Moles?

Moles can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose moles, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "moles" as a symptom. For example, melanoma.

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

lighter/paler skin color

dark lines under nails

minor mouth sores

bleeding/enlarging/tender moles

history of melanoma

light hair

melanoma

black/brown fingernails

light eye color

melanoma in family members

many irregular dark moles

... and so on

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of moles.

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Existing Skin Conditions section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about how many moles you have:

How many normal (common) moles do you have? Normal moles have a uniform light tan/brown color and are almost perfectly round.

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ 10 or fewer
→ Between 10 and 50
→ Between 50 and 100
→ More than 100

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either having many common moles or having very many common moles, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as Melanoma. A person who has more than 50 common moles has a higher risk of developing melanoma and should check their skin regularly to look for abnormal changes.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™