What Causes Moles?
1. Classification
Moles can be classified into hypermelanotic (increased melanin) and hypomelanotic (decreased melanin). In moles with increased melanin, they can broadly categorized into congenital (congenital melanocytic nevus, nevus of Ito, and nevus of Ota) and acquired (melanocytic nevus, atypical [dysplastic] nevus, Hori’s nevus, Becker’s nevus, Blue nevus, nevus spillus, spitz nevus, pigmented spindle cell nevus). In moles with decreased melanin, it includes nevus anemicus (acquired), nevus depigmentosus (congenital), connective tissue nevi (collagenoma, elastoma), epidermal nevi (eccrine nevus, apocrine nevus, nevus sebaceous, nevus comedonicus, and verrucous epidermal nevus), vascular nevi, and intramucosal nevi.
