Whats the difference between a wart and a mole on our skin?
WARTS: -contagious: can infect others with direct contact – caused by HPV (human papilloma virus) – comes and goes, no major health impact – appearance: skin coloured/whit, shiny surface – common places to get them: palms, hands, soles of feet, genitalia, face – usually do not have hair growth MOLES – not infectious to others – caused by exposure to sun, leading to increase in the melanin production by the melanocytes (types of cells which give you your skin colour) in the skin – could lead to skin cancer – if they have hair growth, are usually benign (not cancerous) – once you get it, rarely goes away without being surgically removed – common areas: men – back and shoulders, women – legs and back – appearance: darker than skin (usually brown or black), raised surface, irregular borders *** if there is a sudden change in the appearance of your mole, you should get it checked out