Keri Winslow, age 11, of Oregon City, Ore., for her question:

WHAT MAKES MOLES?

Moles are spots on the skin that are actually birthmarks, although many may appear for the first time long after a person is born.

There are two types of moles: the vascular moles and the non vascular moles.

Vascular moles are made up of swollen blood vessels. They are usually blue or deep red in color. Non vascular moles are solid knots of skin tissue or connective tissue. They are actually tumors, although they are rarely dangerous.

A rare type of non vascular mole which is smooth and bluish black in color can sometimes develop into a malignant tumor. Call any mole that changes shape or size to your doctor's attention.

The soft, hairy brown mole is also common and quite harmless.