Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsHarmless MolesRisk FactorsWhen to See a Dermatologist
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Characteristics
Harmless Moles
Risk Factors
When to See a Dermatologist
Finding a new mole or seeing changes in an existing mole can be worrisome. While many varieties of moles on the skin are harmless, others can indicateskin cancer. Moles that change in size and color, or erupt out of nowhere are the types that should be watched the closest.
This article discusses how you can identify moles that require medical attention and those that can be left alone.
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Characteristics of Concerning Skin Moles
There are manytypes of moles. Only some of them possess the characteristics that should prompt concern. Some attributes of concerning skin moles include:
Keeping Worry to a MinimumThe majority of moles are completely harmless. Even if you do notice changes, it does not necessarily mean that you have skin cancer. When you notice changes to any moles on your body, the best thing you can do is see a healthcare provider. They will test the mole for any cancerous changes, and the quicker you complete this step, the faster you can have it removed if it is cancerous.
Keeping Worry to a Minimum
The majority of moles are completely harmless. Even if you do notice changes, it does not necessarily mean that you have skin cancer. When you notice changes to any moles on your body, the best thing you can do is see a healthcare provider. They will test the mole for any cancerous changes, and the quicker you complete this step, the faster you can have it removed if it is cancerous.
What Does Early Skin Cancer Look Like?
Skin Moles to Not Worry About
There are two types of moles that people can develop that rarely turn into cancer. They arecommon molesanddysplastic nevusmoles.
These skin growths do not typically require a trip to a healthcare provider, as they are not likely to cause any issues.
SizeColorShapeTextureCommon MolesLess than 5 millimeters (mm)Pink, brown, black, or similar to a person’s skin tone; even color throughoutRound or oval; symmetrical with clearly defined edgesFlat and smooth or raised and smoothDysplastic NevusLarger than 5 mmMixture of brown, red, or pinkIrregular shape that can be notched or fade into the rest of the skinSmooth with a slightly scaly feel; rough or pebbly appearanceMelanomaWider than 6 mmUneven color in shades or black, brown, tan, white, gray, red, pink, or blueIrregular and asymmetrical with ragged, notched, or blurred edges that fade into the rest of the skinMole that looks as though it’s been scraped; hard and lumpy; can ooze blood or liquidSincedysplastic nevusmoles have similar characteristics tomelanomamoles, it may be more difficult to assume that one of these types of moles is nothing to worry about.MelanomaMelanoma vs. Dysplastic NevusWhile melanoma and dysplastic nevus have similar characteristics, they are different. For example, melanomas are typically wider than 6 mm, making them more prominent than the typical dysplastic nevus. Melanomas will also appear and feel differently, with the site looking as if it has been scraped or becoming hard or lumpy. They may also ooze or bleed, which does not happen to dysplastic nevus.How to Identify Common Skin GrowthsSkin Mole Risk Factors to Keep in MindRisk factors associated with moles could cause them to turn from harmless to malignant. Risk factors to be aware of include:Exposure to ultraviolet light, whether from the sun or artificiallyHaving a lot of common or atypical molesFair skin, freckling, and light hairFamily history of melanomaPersonal history of melanoma or other types of skin cancerWeakened immunityBeing over the age of 30Being maleHaving a rare and inherited condition known asxeroderma pigmentosum, which causes issues with the skin’s ability to repair damageKnowing Your Risk FactorsHaving risk factors does not mean that you will automatically develop skin cancer from moles. However, they do indicate that you may be more likely to develop a cancerous mole. When you know you have a heightened risk, you can take precautions to ensure that if a suspicious mole does develop, it doesn’t go unchecked.Ruling Out Suspicious Moles: When to See a DermatologistOnce you know what to look for when spotting a suspicious mole, it’s easier to keep track of any old and new growths you have on your body.You should check your entire body once every month for changes to current moles or new ones, especially if you fall into a higher-risk category. That way, you’ll be able to see a dermatologist as soon as you notice any changes.Melanoma with color variation.Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.While not all moles will be cancerous, seeing a dermatologist can help prevent cancerous cells from spreading to other body areas. To determine if a mole needs to be checked, remember theABCDEsof early detection:A (asymmetrical):One side of the mole is different from the other.B (border):The edges of the mole are uneven, blurry, or jagged.C (color):There is more than one color or shade in the mole.D (diameter):The mole is or grows to be larger than 6 mm in diameter.E (evolution):The mole changes in size, shape, or color over time.When Should You Get Rid of a Mole?Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.SummaryDiscerning between suspicious moles and those that cause no threat to your health can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That said, getting to know the moles on your body is vital so you can keep track of any changes. That way, you’ll be well-equipped to stop serious cancers from spreading throughout the body if you develop a cancerous mole.By remembering the ABCDEs of early detection and checking yourself regularly for changes, you can take control of your health in a way that could prevent the development of skin cancer or help you catch it early so that it doesn’t become life-threatening.Options to Get Rid of Skin Moles
Sincedysplastic nevusmoles have similar characteristics tomelanomamoles, it may be more difficult to assume that one of these types of moles is nothing to worry about.
Melanoma
Melanoma vs. Dysplastic NevusWhile melanoma and dysplastic nevus have similar characteristics, they are different. For example, melanomas are typically wider than 6 mm, making them more prominent than the typical dysplastic nevus. Melanomas will also appear and feel differently, with the site looking as if it has been scraped or becoming hard or lumpy. They may also ooze or bleed, which does not happen to dysplastic nevus.
Melanoma vs. Dysplastic Nevus
While melanoma and dysplastic nevus have similar characteristics, they are different. For example, melanomas are typically wider than 6 mm, making them more prominent than the typical dysplastic nevus. Melanomas will also appear and feel differently, with the site looking as if it has been scraped or becoming hard or lumpy. They may also ooze or bleed, which does not happen to dysplastic nevus.
How to Identify Common Skin Growths
Skin Mole Risk Factors to Keep in Mind
Risk factors associated with moles could cause them to turn from harmless to malignant. Risk factors to be aware of include:
Knowing Your Risk FactorsHaving risk factors does not mean that you will automatically develop skin cancer from moles. However, they do indicate that you may be more likely to develop a cancerous mole. When you know you have a heightened risk, you can take precautions to ensure that if a suspicious mole does develop, it doesn’t go unchecked.
Knowing Your Risk Factors
Having risk factors does not mean that you will automatically develop skin cancer from moles. However, they do indicate that you may be more likely to develop a cancerous mole. When you know you have a heightened risk, you can take precautions to ensure that if a suspicious mole does develop, it doesn’t go unchecked.
Ruling Out Suspicious Moles: When to See a Dermatologist
Once you know what to look for when spotting a suspicious mole, it’s easier to keep track of any old and new growths you have on your body.
You should check your entire body once every month for changes to current moles or new ones, especially if you fall into a higher-risk category. That way, you’ll be able to see a dermatologist as soon as you notice any changes.
Melanoma with color variation.Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
While not all moles will be cancerous, seeing a dermatologist can help prevent cancerous cells from spreading to other body areas. To determine if a mole needs to be checked, remember theABCDEsof early detection:
When Should You Get Rid of a Mole?
Summary
Discerning between suspicious moles and those that cause no threat to your health can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That said, getting to know the moles on your body is vital so you can keep track of any changes. That way, you’ll be well-equipped to stop serious cancers from spreading throughout the body if you develop a cancerous mole.
By remembering the ABCDEs of early detection and checking yourself regularly for changes, you can take control of your health in a way that could prevent the development of skin cancer or help you catch it early so that it doesn’t become life-threatening.
Options to Get Rid of Skin Moles
3 SourcesVerywell 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.National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevus, and risk of melanoma.American Cancer Society.Risk factors for melanoma skin cancer.Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation.The ABCDE’s of Early Detection.
3 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.National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevus, and risk of melanoma.American Cancer Society.Risk factors for melanoma skin cancer.Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation.The ABCDE’s of Early Detection.
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.
National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevus, and risk of melanoma.American Cancer Society.Risk factors for melanoma skin cancer.Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation.The ABCDE’s of Early Detection.
National Cancer Institute.Common moles, dysplastic nevus, and risk of melanoma.
American Cancer Society.Risk factors for melanoma skin cancer.
Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation.The ABCDE’s of Early Detection.
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