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Medical Animation Encyclopedia
Skin conditions
<< Back to AnimationsA few common skin conditions include moles, birthmarks, age spots, and warts.
Moles are colored spots on the skin, formed by cells containing the dark pigment, melanin. While generally harmless, some moles can change shape and color, or start bleeding and require immediate evaluation.
Some birthmarks are simply moles that are present at birth, called a pigmented birthmark. Others result from the rapid growth of blood vessels in a localized area, called red birthmarks.
When a person becomes older, they may develop age spots. Age spots are patches of increased pigmentation on the skin?s surface, like freckles.
Warts are benign, or non-cancerous, growths of skin caused by a virus.
Moles are colored spots on the skin, formed by cells containing the dark pigment, melanin. While generally harmless, some moles can change shape and color, or start bleeding and require immediate evaluation.
Some birthmarks are simply moles that are present at birth, called a pigmented birthmark. Others result from the rapid growth of blood vessels in a localized area, called red birthmarks.
When a person becomes older, they may develop age spots. Age spots are patches of increased pigmentation on the skin?s surface, like freckles.
Warts are benign, or non-cancerous, growths of skin caused by a virus.
Review Date: Sep 12, 2008
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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