Dr. Joshua L. Fox suggests following the guidelines below for mole prevention and protection:
Lead by example. A recent French study found that parents who wore a t-shirt when exposed to the sun influenced their kids to do the same. As a result, the kids developed fewer new moles over the next year than the kids of parents who did not wear protective clothing while in the sun. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen (for UVA & UVB) with an SPF of at least 15, wearing a hat, avoiding peak sun hours (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and seeking shade are other sun-smart measures to follow yourself and instill in your child. Also be sure to encourage your child to protect his or her eyes with sunglasses, to prevent the development of eye problems such as cataracts later in life.
Check your child's moles every month to detect changes. You might even mark the moles on a body illustration or take photos to record their location, shape, size and color. Do not forget to look on the scalp, palms, nails and between the fingers and toes, as well as areas that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, arms, legs, neck, chest and ears.
See a dermatologist if you find a suspicious mole on your child's body. "If a mole on your child's skin suddenly changes size, shape or color or bleeds, or it starts to get bigger, make an appointment with a dermatologist to look at it," Fox advises, "It may need to be removed with a scalpel." Kids who have fair skin, a lot of moles and freckles, or irregular moles should see a dermatologist for regular skin checks, he adds.
Want to read more?
Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.