What You Should Know About Moles in Your Belly Button

What You Should Know About Moles in Your Belly Button

Finding a new mole anywhere on your body can raise concerns, especially in sensitive areas like your belly button. While most moles are harmless, some characteristics may require a closer look by a dermatologist.

Moles in the belly button are very common, given the folds and friction in that area. Checking your skin regularly can help you identify any abnormal moles early on. This guide covers what to look for, when to worry, and how moles are evaluated.

What Causes Moles?

Moles, also called nevi, occur when cells that produce melanin cluster together. The medical name for these cells is melanocytes. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color.

Some moles are present at birth, while others develop later in life. Factors like genetics and sun exposure increase your risk of getting moles.

Having moles is very common, especially in sun-exposed areas. The face, neck, arms, and back are typical hot spots. Friction areas like the belly button are also prone to mole development.

Signs of Normal Versus Abnormal Moles

Most moles are benign and no cause for concern. Here are signs a mole is likely harmless:

• Uniform color like tan, brown, black
• Smooth, even borders
• Smaller - usually under 6mm
• Present since childhood
• Does not change over time

Moles with the following features warrant a closer inspection:

• Multi-colored or uneven pigment
• Irregular, fuzzy, scalloped borders
• Large - over 6mm diameter
• New or rapidly changing mole
• Oozing, bleeding, crusting, itching or pain

While most atypical moles are benign, they can sometimes indicate a melanoma - the most serious type of skin cancer.

Are Moles in Belly Buttons Higher Risk?

There are a few factors that can make moles in the belly button region potentially concerning:

• Friction from clothing rubs against moles in the folds of the belly button, causing irritation.
• The belly area often lacks sun protection relative to other parts of the body.
• It's easy to miss changes to moles in hard-to-see, hidden areas.

For these reasons, be vigilant about monitoring your belly button moles for any abnormal changes. Look for signs like growth, color variegation, oozing, and changes to sensation like pain or itching.

Evaluating Moles in Your Belly Button

If you notice a suspicious belly button mole, don't panic. Your dermatologist can perform an evaluation to determine if its problematic or not.

Medical History

The dermatologist will ask about your health history, including:

• When you first noticed the mole
• If the mole has changed over time - growing, changing color, etc.
• Family history of melanoma
• Amount of sun exposure and sunburns
• Use of tanning beds
• Other mole symptoms like itching or bleeding

Visual Inspection

Your dermatologist will closely examine the mole for:

• Size, shape, and borders
• Color and pigmentation patterns
• Elevation - flat vs raised
• Crusting, scabbing, oozing, or scaling
• Surrounding skin for inflammation or redness

They will compare the mole to others on your body. They may also use a dermatoscope, a special magnifying tool, to see below the surface.

Biopsy

If the doctor remains concerned after the visual inspection, they will likely perform a biopsy. This involves:

• Numbing the area with local anesthetic.
• Using a small instrument to remove all or part of the mole.
• Sending the sample to a lab for analysis.

Examining the mole cells under a microscope can confirm whether or not it is cancerous. Biopsies are done in-office and results come back within a week or two.

Treatment Options for Belly Button Moles

If a mole in your belly button is determined to be benign, no treatment is required beyond monitoring it for changes. Malignant moles require removal.

Surgical Excision

The standard treatment for a cancerous belly button mole is surgical excision. This involves:

• Local anesthetic to numb the area.
• Using a scalpel to remove the mole and some surrounding normal skin.
• Closing the site with stitches.
• Sending the mole to pathology to confirm all cancerous cells were removed.

For large moles, the navel may be surgically reconstructed after mole removal.

Other Destruction Techniques

Methods like cryotherapy (freezing) or laser ablation can sometimes be used to destroy very small, shallow melanoma moles. Follow-up excision is still often needed.

Lymph Node Removal

If the cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes, they will also need to be removed. This is more involved surgery.

Preventing Moles in Your Belly Button

You can reduce your risk of developing worrisome moles with these tips:

• Use sunscreen regularly on exposed skin like the abdomen.
• Avoid tanning beds, which emit high-UV radiation.
• Wear sun-protective clothing that covers the belly.
• Inspect your skin monthly for new or changing moles.
• See a dermatologist annually for full body skin cancer screening.

Catching and removing abnormal moles early is key. Be vigilant with self-checks and follow up promptly on any concerning belly button moles.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a dermatologist if you notice any of these signs:

• New mole in your belly button
• Change in size, shape, or color of an existing mole
• Moles that are multi-colored or have irregular borders
• Moles larger than 6mm diameter
• Moles that are itchy, painful, oozing, or bleeding

Getting dermatology expertise can provide peace of mind or early detection if needed. Dont ignore worrisome belly button moles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check my belly button moles?

Use a hand mirror, smartphone camera, or partner's assistance to get a close look at moles inside your belly button and the surrounding area. Look for new moles, changes in color/size/shape, and abnormal symptoms like itching or oozing.

Are moles genetic?

Moles can run in families, with about 40% of moles being inherited. Having a first-degree relative with many atypical moles or melanoma increases your risk. Genetics can also determine mole size, color, and count.

What does a cancerous mole look like?

Signs of a potentially cancerous mole include large size, irregular shape, uneven coloration, fuzzy borders, oozing/bleeding, rapid increase in size, and changes in sensation like itching or pain.

Can you remove a mole yourself? It is not recommended to remove a mole at home. Improperly removing a mole can lead to infection, scarring, recurrence, and missed diagnosis of melanoma. Surgery by a dermatologist is the safest, most effective mole removal method.

Do moles turn into cancer? The vast majority of moles remain benign and do not turn into skin cancer. However, a small percentage of atypical moles can eventually develop into melanoma over time. Thats why its important to monitor all moles for any changes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.