Birthmarks Moles and Liver Spots

Symptoms

For centuries, birthmarks have either been enhanced and glorified as a sign of beauty or covered up as an unsightly blemish. Technically, birthmarks are called nevi, and appear as simple brown spots on the skin. They have innumerable variations, appearing alone or grouped together in various sizes and shades. The name “birthmark” means a mark present since birth, but this is not always so; some birthmarks appear later.

Liver spots are also known as age spots because they tend to appear in later life. They are usually larger than birthmarks and often appear on the hands and face. Moles are raised marks on the skin and can grow hair.

Hemangiomas are large marks with a reddish color that are present at birth or within a few months after. Unlike birthmarks, they can disappear in childhood. The strawberry mark, for example, has a raised red surface and looks somewhat unpleasant for a period of time. The portwine mark, in contrast, lies flat against the skin, but usually remains for life.

Birthmarks are usually harmless, but any sudden change should be investigated to rule out a melanoma—a dangerous form of skin cancer which spreads quickly. Birthmarks should never be tampered with or irritated unnecessarily, as this triggers melanoma formation. Typical signs of melanoma include a birthmark developing irregular edges marked darkening or especially itching or bleeding. If a birthmark is thought to be a melanoma, it should be removed as quickly as possible.

Causes

Nevi or birthmarks are irregularities in the skin brought about by an overproduction of coloring by the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation. Light brown, pigmented spots often appear as a result of hormonal changes, common during adolescence, pregnancy and when oral contraceptives are used. Liver spots have been linked to waste products in the skin, which accumulate when the liver functions poorly and the skin must compensate in its excretory action. Age spots are more likely to occur on skin that has aged quickly from poor care and sun damage, and from a lack of exercise. Hemangiomas result from blood vessels developing just beneath the skin’s surface.

Nutrition

Premature age spots on the back of the hand may be a sign of free-radical damage. Eat foods rich in the antioxidant nutrients selenium and vitamins E, C and A (or beta-carotenes), since antioxidants control free-radical damage in the body. Enjoy fresh, raw fruits such as kiwi, apricot and cantaloupe several times a day; They are excellent sources of vitamins A and C. Raw wheat germ with your morning cereal is the best dietary source of the powerful antioxidant vitamin E and it also provides selenium. Other foods with selenium are whole grains, nuts and sesame seeds. The selenium content of plants varies greatly depending upon the soil conditions in which they were grown. Sulphur-containing fertilizers inhibit the absorption of selenium from the soil by plants. Eat only organically grown foods, which have a higher selenium content.

Skin spots due to poor liver function can be prevented by eating foods which support the liver’s detoxifying work. Turnips, onions and garlic have a cleansing effect on the liver due to their sulphur content. Foods high in water-soluble fiber such as apples and oat bran promote healthy liver function by stimulating bile secretion. Jerusalem artichokes are a natural liver tonic; they contain a bitter substance called cynarine which increases liver activity. Another bile-flow stimulator is curcum, found in the seasoning turmeric.

Nutritional Supplements

Age spots have been linked to free-radical damage to skin cells. Antioxidant vitamins and minerals are recommended to prevent damage by oxygen. Vitamin E and selenium, along with vitamins C and A or should also be included. Detoxification should also be a priority. Lipotrophic substances, such as inositol, choline and lecithin prevent or curtail the accumulation of fat in the liver. Fiber supplements like psyllium husks combat constipation if this is a problem.

Skin pigmentation during pregnancy is due to hormonal imbalances. Supplement the diet with a good multivitamin containing vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E. High copper levels in the body also cause pigmentation. In this case, zinc supplements for several weeks will balance copper levels.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Vitamin A, 10,000 IU

(avoid during pregnancy)

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg three times daily

Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU

Selenium, 200 mcg

Helpful

Inositol, 50 mg. or Choline, 1,000 mg. or Lecithin, 3 tbsp. three times daily

Psyllium husks, 2 tbsp.

Zinc, 35 mg, with 3 mg copper

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies can help soothe and reduce skin irritations and age spots.

To dry runny warts, moles or cancerous lesions, add 2 cups tender plantain leaves to 2 cups cream and cook in a glass container until thick, without burning. Spread some of this ointment on a gauze. Place the poultice on the affected area. Renew the gauze various times during the day for a week or until the condition has cleared up.

For brown age spots, stimulate a sluggish liver with 1 tbsp. of bitter herb juices, like dandelion and black radish juice daily.

Homeopathy

An experienced homeopath can provide a more in-depth treatment to achieve lasting results.

Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets three times daily under the tongue.

Calc sulph is a good blood purifier and helps the liver remove waste products from the bloodstream. Use in cases of skin ailments.

External/Physical Therapies

As long as the birthmark does not change in appearance, size or color, it is best left alone. Do not scratch, rub or tamper with it in any way. Do not pull out hairs growing on moles. This might trigger a reaction in the tissue which could result in abnormal changes of a malignant nature throughout the body.

Other Suggestions

Surgical birthmark removal can be dangerous. After the procedure, some people have noticed glandular swellings and other abnormalities all over the body, which were found to be malignant metastases. If a birthmark needs to be surgically removed, adopt a liver or cancer diet for two months in preparation for surgery.

Available Brand Name Products

Herbal Remedies

Schoenenberger Black Radish Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

LG Cleanse (Natural Factors)

Dandelion Root (Nature’s Herbs)