Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Mole?Itchy Moles and CancerOther CausesThe ABCDE RuleMoles vs. MelanomaRisk FactorsEstimating RiskTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a Mole?
Itchy Moles and Cancer
Other Causes
The ABCDE Rule
Moles vs. Melanoma
Risk Factors
Estimating Risk
Treatment
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Molesarise from cells in the skin calledmelanocytes. These cells are also responsible for skin and hair color and the darkening of the skin with sun exposure (a suntan).
Most moles (nevi) typically appear before you reach your 20s; some are present at birth. Congenital nevi (moles present at birth) are more likely to develop into melanoma.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Does an Itchy Mole Mean Cancer?
Moles are extremely common. However, the vastmajority of molesdo not turn into skin cancer. When they do, itching can be one of the symptoms.
Most of the time, however, itchiness isn’t the only change you’ll notice in a cancerous mole. Typically, suspicious moles have changed in size, shape, and/or color over a period of time.
Suspicious Skin Moles to Worry About
What Else Could Make a Mole Itch?
There are several reasons why a mole could become irritated and itchy, including:
Questions to Ask Yourself When You Have an Itchy MoleIf you notice new itchiness in a mole, think about what you might be doing differently that could explain this symptom.Are you using a new laundry detergent or a new type of fabric softener?Do you use a body lotion with fragrances or chemicals that could irritate your skin?Have you been spritzing yourself with a new cologne, aftershave, or body spray?Are you using sunless tanning products?Are you being exposed to any chemicals on the job?
Questions to Ask Yourself When You Have an Itchy Mole
If you notice new itchiness in a mole, think about what you might be doing differently that could explain this symptom.Are you using a new laundry detergent or a new type of fabric softener?Do you use a body lotion with fragrances or chemicals that could irritate your skin?Have you been spritzing yourself with a new cologne, aftershave, or body spray?Are you using sunless tanning products?Are you being exposed to any chemicals on the job?
If you notice new itchiness in a mole, think about what you might be doing differently that could explain this symptom.
What Benign Moles Look Like
The ABCDE Rule of Skin Cancer
The ABCDE rule can help you determine if changes in a mole indicate a possible melanoma. The five warning signs of melanoma include:
Itching, bleeding, or oozing from a mole is a cause for concern, as is any mole area that looks like a scrape but isn’t healing in a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes, a new or odd sensation in the region near a mole can be an early symptom of melanoma.
It’s normal for moles to change during puberty and pregnancy.Changes at other times in life should be carefully observed and brought to the attention of a healthcare provider.
1:50The ABCDE Rule of Melanoma
1:50
The ABCDE Rule of Melanoma
It can be hard to tell the difference between melanoma and normal moles.Photos of moles and melanomasshow just how tricky this can be.
A healthcare provider who specializes indermatology(skin conditions) can determine whether your mole needs to be biopsied. With a biopsy, a small piece of the mole is removed and examined under a microscope to see if there are cancerous cells.
Skin Cancer Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Types of Moles (and When to Consider Getting One Checked)
Melanoma Risk Factors
Some people have a lot of moles while others only have a few. Moles tend to run in families, so if your parents have moles, you’re more likely to have them.
The science remains unclear on why some moles will develop into cancer while others do not. Risk factors include:
Changes in genes, or mutations, have only been implicated in around 1% of melanomas. Still, studies suggest that more than half of a person’s risk of melanoma is related to genetic factors.
Estimating Your Melanoma Risk
Melanomas account for around 1% ofskin cancers. While rare, they are responsible for most skin cancer deaths.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of California, San Francisco, designed a tool as an aid for healthcare providers to identify people who have a higher risk of melanoma.
Your healthcare provider can use this interactive tool to estimate your risk of developing melanoma and let you know how often you should be screened.
Factors included in this assessment tool include:
The chance of a cure for melanoma is vastly greater when the cancer is found in the early stages of the disease.
Melanoma Treatment
If a skin biopsy indicates the mole is melanoma, treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer. Treatment may include:
Don’t try to remove a mole yourself. Cutting it off can lead to scarring or an infection. Have your dermatologist remove it if it’s irritating, worrisome, or you don’t like it.
Summary
Many people have moles, which begin in skin cells called melanocytes. Some of these moles, called congenital nevi, are present at birth. They also tend to run in families. When both factors are present, the risk of developing melanoma increases.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Congenital nevus (mole).
Skin Cancer Foundation.Melanoma warning signs.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.When is a mole a problem?
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