Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Moles) Close-Up

Adult Skin Problems

Medically Reviewed by Neha Pathak, MD on December 21, 2020
1 min read

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Dysplastic nevi are moles that are larger  and irregular in shape then the average mole (size usually bigger than a pencil eraser). They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These moles tend to be hereditary (passed on from parent to child through genes). People with dysplastic nevi may have more than 100 moles and have a greater chance of developing melanoma, a serious and concerning form of skin cancer. Any changes in a mole should be checked by a dermatologist to detect skin cancer.

If the mole is found to be cancerous, a dermatolgist will need to completely excise the mole and then close the wound. Read more about moles, freckles, and skin tags.

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