Dermatology-Online

Pain in a birthmark

introduction

The term "birthmark" is used in colloquial language for benign malformations of the skin and mucous membrane, which can have a different appearance. It is therefore a collective term for malformations of different composition, of which, however, are mostly so-called Pigment nevi means. These are also called "liver spots". These are the typically brownish pigmented, more or less flat spots that everyone probably knows.

As a rule, birthmarks are structures that are neither positive nor negative to us in everyday life. You don't feel them and they usually remain quite unchanged. If birthmarks change and start to hurt, this can have different causes.

Cancer as the cause of pain

Birthmarksthat cause pain can develop under a Cancer are in a process of degeneration. But you can also be at a stage in which you can still see the whole thing as a Precancer would see.

Usually others show such birthmarks as well characteristic changes:

she change their shape, become larger or even misshapen. Your edges are then no longer sharply delimited, the birthmark literally dissolves from its shape.
Also the Color can change and fade or become uneven.
In addition, it can enlarge and it just changes over time.
If the birthmark is additionally bleeds, this can also be questionable.

These are Evidence of cancer or a change that is observable, but it is no evidence for an existing illness. Also, not every painful birthmark also shows the symptoms just mentioned.

It is recommended especially for people who have a lot of birthmarks at least every 5 years to be examined by the dermatologist. He can determine whether it is a questionable change and act early by removing the birthmark. Since 2008 a large-scale study for the prevention of skin cancer has been carried out, which one Skin cancer screening is called. It is used by statutory health insurers for patients who older than 35 years are, accepted and can every 2 years respectively.

If you have concerns about a birthmark because it hurts and, for example, also has other of the above-mentioned characteristics, it is advisable to not to wait long and see a dermatologist. Because one thing is certain: it is important to avoid potentially malignant skin diseases recognized and treated as early as possible to have a chance of recovery.

You can also use your own birthmarks observe monthly yourself at homein order not to overlook a change. It is best to examine the birthmarks after the ABCDE rule:

asymmetry
Limitation
Color
diameter
development

You can find more on the subject under "Skin cancer'.

Inflammation as the cause of pain

An inflamed birthmark is itchy and painful, but usually heals on its own.

Birthmarks that are inflamed can cause pain. Typically they are noticeable by the signs of inflammation. These include:

The swelling (tumor)
the redness (Rubor)
the overheating (Calor)

There are various causes of inflammation on birthmarks: First of all, fine cracks in the skin and injuries can lead to inflammation. For example, scratching too hard can cause germs to penetrate the mole's own or surrounding tissue and thus lead to bacterial inflammation. This usually heals quickly and easily. If you want to alleviate the pain a bit, you can cool the birthmark slightly and apply a wound healing ointment (e.g. Bepanthen) to it. No further therapy is necessary here. Only larger wounds require medical care.

Another reason for birthmark pain is hair follicle inflammation, which is also Folliculitis is called. Since hair grows from some birthmarks, or hair can simply be in the immediate vicinity of birthmarks, painful folliculitis can occur there. Usually a special germ penetrates here, Staphylococcus aureus, enters the tissue and causes inflammation. It is a skin germ. Such folliculitis occurs particularly often on very hairy parts of the body, such as the scalp and the male chest. But they can also occur sporadically in other parts of the body.

The inflammation hurts both at rest and when pressure is applied to the affected area. If it spreads further and spreads to the surrounding tissue, so-called carbuncles and boils develop. These are abscesses that may require antibiotic therapy.

Usually, however, such folliculitides on birthmarks heal on their own without complex therapy. It is advisable to clean the affected area with an antiseptic such as chlorhexidine. The antiseptic is applied locally and kills germs. Externally, the birthmark can be noticed by a yellowish swelling.

Read more on this topic at: Inflammation of a birthmark

Pain after removing a mole

There are several ways to have a birthmark removed.

The most common methods are surgery, laser treatment, or treatment with a radio frequency cautery. Mole removal is generally not a particularly painful proposition. It is usually done under local anesthesia so that the removal, of any kind, is not painful. However, you may experience pain after removal.

Mild pain after surgical removal of a mole is normal. However, if you take physical care and, in particular, take care of the wound, the pain is only of very slight intensity. A surgical wound always carries a certain risk of becoming infected, which can be very painful. In general, however, this is less the case.

Pain when having a birthmark punched

The punching out of a birthmark takes place under local anesthesia and is therefore not painful, only a slight feeling of pressure is felt. After the treatment, slight pulling pains are normal, especially when subjected to mechanical stress. However, like other mole removals, these only last a few days and are very easy to bear. Mild pain relievers can be taken if necessary.

Pain when having a birthmark lasered

Laser is a common way to remove birthmarks. However, before a birthmark is lasered, it must be ensured that it is benign with absolute certainty. In most cases, the laser treatment is carried out under local anesthesia so that it is not painful. After the removal, slight pain and a slight redness and swelling of the treated area are normal. However, this pain usually does not last longer than two to three days and is mainly promoted by pressure on the affected area or other mechanical stress. Mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol from the pharmacy are usually sufficient.

Compared to removal with a laser, radio frequency ablation is considered to be less painful. The treatment also leads to slight pressure-induced pain.

Pain when a birthmark is frozen

In some cases, you can also have your skin doctor freeze birthmarks. This therapy is also known as cryotherapy. The icing itself can be perceived as stabbing pain and, depending on the individual treatment, is also carried out under local anesthesia. After freezing, severe redness, swelling and blistering can occur. The affected area is tender and very painful when pressed. In general, however, the pain after the treatment is rather weak and easy to bear.

Pain after scratching a mole

The scratching of birthmarks is often done unconsciously, but sometimes also consciously. Slight pain is normal there, and light bleeding can also result from scratching. After a few days, however, the scratches heal again, so no permanent pain is to be expected. However, if birthmarks are constantly itchy or painfully scratched, they should be checked by a dermatologist.

They may be in an inconvenient place where the clothing rubs and thus creates a stimulus to scratch. Such birthmarks can be removed if they are disturbing. The constant scratching of the mole leads to slight pain and makes it easier for germs to penetrate the skin. A painful inflammation can result. Signs of this are swelling and reddening of the skin.

Summary

When a Birthmark hurts, this can have different causes:

Most of the time it is slight inflammationcaused by the finest cracks in the skin. This heal by itself off again and do not require complex therapy.
Also one Hair follicle inflammation can be the cause of the pain. Most of the time it is enough to carefully place the inflamed mole with one local antiseptic to clean up.
Major inflammations like boil and carbuncle may need a Antibiosis as therapy.
Finally, a malignant or potentially malignant change in the birthmark Cause pain. The treating dermatologist will either find these birthmarks remove or continue to watchto one Prevent cancer. Should already be one Cancer exist a special therapy, which besides operations also takes place Chemotherapy and Irradiations may include.