What Causes Moles?
A mole or nevus (or moles/nevi if multiple) is a term used to describe a lesion on the skin that is generally brown or black. The term originates from the Latin word “nvus,” which translates to “birthmark.” A mole can be present at birth or acquired. It can appear anywhere on the skin and generally appears in early childhood or the first 25 years of life. By adulthood, it is normal to have 10 to 40 moles.
With time, the mole can change in appearance and may appear raised or have different colors. There may also be hair on the mole. While moles may develop with time, they may also disappear. Some other common terms often used to describe moles include birthmark and beauty mark.
