What are moles?
Also called nevi
Moles are common. Almost every adult has a few of them. Adults who have light skin often have more moles. They may have 10 to 40 moles on their skin. This is normal.
Most moles appear on the skin during childhood and adolescence. Moles will grow as the child (or teen) grows. Some moles will darken, and others will lighten. These changes are expected and seldom a sign of melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer.
For adults, new moles and changes to existing moles can be a sign of melanoma. Caught early, melanoma is highly treatable.
Here are three facts that can help you find melanoma early and get treatment:
A change to a mole or a new mole is often the first sign of melanoma
You can find melanoma early by checking your own skin
If you see a mole or other spot that's growing, itching, bleeding, or changing in any way, immediately make an appointment to see a dermatologist
Changing moles
If a mole starts to grow, itch, or bleed, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
What's the difference between a mole and melanoma?
People often want to know how they can tell a mole from a melanoma. Here is a general rule.
Mole
A mole on your body usually has these traits. It's:
One color—often brown, but a mole can be tan, black, red, pink, blue, skin-toned, or colorless
Round in shape
Flat or slightly raised
Unchanged from month to month
Although moles have a distinct look, they may not look alike. Even in the same person, moles can differ in size, shape, or color. Moles can have hair. Some moles will change slowly over time, possibly even disappearing.
It's also important to know that moles can appear anywhere on the skin. They can develop on your scalp, between your fingers and toes, on the soles and palms, and even under your nails.
Melanoma
The most-serious skin cancer differs from moles in that it tends to show one or more of the following traits:
A = Asymmetry. One half is unlike the other.
B = Border. An irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.
C = Color. Is varied from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown, or black; is sometimes white, red, or blue.
D = Diameter. Melanoma are usually greater than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.
E = Evolving. A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.
How to SPOT Skin Cancer™ - ABCDEs of Melanoma
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. However, when detected early, melanoma is highly treatable. Use the information in this infographic to help identify the warning signs of melanoma.
ABCDEs of Melanoma
If you see a mole or new spot on your skin that has any of the ABCDEs of melanoma, immediately make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
Who gets moles?
Nearly every adult has a few moles. Most adults have a type of mole called a common mole, which is harmless.
There are other types of moles. Below you'll see types of moles that can increase a person’s risk of getting melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. If you discover any one of these moles on your skin, you should have a dermatologist who can give you skin exams.
Types of moles that increase melanoma risk
Atypcial moles
Atypical moles
Melanoma can grow in an atypical mole. Anyone who has atypical moles, such as this patient, should watch his or her moles for change.
Atypical mole
Four or more atypical moles.
Already had a melanoma.
A first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) who had melanoma.
Your dermatologist may call an atypical mole a dysplastic nevus. Nevus is the medical term for mole. When your dermatologist is talking about two or more moles, you may hear the word "nevi."
Atypical moles (or nevi) are often:
Larger than an eraser on the end of a pencil.
Have an odd shape (not round).
Show more than one color—mixes of tan, brown, red, and pink.
Atypical moles can appear anywhere on the body. They often appear on the trunk. You can also get them on your scalp, head, or neck. Atypical moles rarely appear on the face.
Some people who have many atypical moles have a medical condition called familial atypical multiple mole-melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. People with FAMMM syndrome have:
Many moles—more than 50
Some moles that are atypical
A blood relative who has (or had) melanoma
Congenital mole
Congenital mole
This congenital mole was small when the girl was born. When it started to grow, her dermatologist removed it.
Spitz nevus
Most Spitz nevi appear on the skin during the first 20 years of life. Adults also occasionally get Spitz nevi.
Spitz nevus
This type of mole is often pink, raised, and dome-shaped.
Acquired mole (50 to 100 or more)
If a person has 50 or more of these moles, the person has a higher risk for getting melanoma.
How do dermatologists tell whether a spot is a mole?
A dermatologist’s trained eye can often tell whether a spot is a mole.
How do dermatologists treat moles?
Most moles do not require treatment. A dermatologist will remove a mole that is:
Bothersome (rubs against clothing, etc.)
Unattractive to a patient
Suspicious (could be skin cancer)
A dermatologist can usually remove a mole during an office visit. Most removals require only one office visit. Occasionally, a patient may need to return for a second visit.
Whether it's during one or two visits, a dermatologist can safely and easily remove a mole. A dermatologist will use one of these procedures:
Surgical excision: The dermatologist cuts out the entire mole and stitches the skin closed if necessary. Your mole will also be looked at under a microscope by a specially trained doctor. This is done to check for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, your dermatologist will let you know.
Surgical shave: The dermatologist uses a surgical blade to remove the mole. In most cases, a specially trained doctor will examine your mole under a microscope. If cancer cells are found, your dermatologist will let you know.
Never try to remove a mole at home
While it may seem more convenient to shave off or cut out a mole yourself, there are three very good reasons a dermatologist should remove it:
Skin cancer: If the mole contains skin cancer, some of the cancer cells can stay in the skin and even spread.
Scarring: You can disfigure your skin causing a scar.
Infection: A dermatologist uses sterile equipment to prevent infection.
Products that remove moles can cause serious side effects
These products can cause scarring and delay a skin cancer diagnosis. Find out what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends if you want to remove a mole or other skin growth.
Outcome
After a mole is removed, the skin will heal. If the mole grows back, immediately make another appointment to see your dermatologist. This could be a sign of melanoma, the most-serious type of skin cancer.
Dermatologists recommend the following to their patients:
See a mole on your skin that is changing, itching, or bleeding? If you do, immediately make an appointment to see a dermatologist. These are signs that you could have melanoma, the most-serious type of skin cancer. Caught early, melanoma can be cured. Without treatment, melanoma can spread. This can be deadly.
Perform self-exams of your skin. A self-exam can help you catch melanoma early. You can learn how to check your skin, and what to look for by using the Body mole map.
Protect your skin from the sun. It is believed that being out in the sun increases the number of moles on your skin. And we know that the sun causes skin cancer. Tanning beds and sun lamps also cause skin cancer.
Have 50 or more moles on your skin? People with many moles have a higher risk of getting melanoma, so you should have a dermatologist who can examine your skin as often as necessary.
Join a support group. If you have a higher risk of getting melanoma, joining a support group may help you feel better. You have a higher risk if you have FAMMM, large noticeable moles, or a mole that covers most of the body.
People who have noticeable or unusual moles often have to deal with stares and whispers. Meeting with people who face similar challenges can provide emotional support.
#1 problem with moles: Melanoma
While most moles are harmless, you shouldn’t ignore yours.
Melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, can begin in a mole. A bleeding or itchy mole can be a sign of melanoma. If you are 30 years old or older, a new or changing mole could also be a melanoma.
That’s why it’s so important to know what your moles look like. Found early, melanoma is highly treatable.
You’re more likely to spot melanoma early if you know:
Where you have moles
What your moles look like
To make it easy for you to know your moles, the AAD worked with dermatologists to create the Body Mole Map. On one page, you’ll find everything you need to check your skin, including the ABCDEs of melanoma.
If a mole looks different from the others, itches, bleeds, or is changing in any way, a dermatologist should examine it.
Other problems with moles
While melanoma is the most serious problem a mole can cause, it’s not the only one. A mole can be a problem if it:
Snags on clothing or jewelry
Is easily irritated
Looks unattractive to you
A harmless mole can rise above the surface of your skin. If clothing or jewelry rubs against (or gets caught on) this mole, it can irritate the mole. You may notice the mole and skin around it feel uncomfortable.
If you have a raised mole on skin that you shave, you may nick the mole, causing it to bleed. This can be bothersome.
A mole can also be a problem if it makes you feel unattractive. Some people consider a mole more of a blemish than a beauty mark.
When a mole is a problem, it’s best to have a dermatologist examine it and decide whether it needs to be removed.
A dermatologist can remove a mole that is easily irritated or makes you feel unattractive.
Mole removal: Why a dermatologist should do it
Trying to get rid of a mole with home remedies can do more harm than good. Homemade pastes that you apply to the mole can cause an allergic skin reaction, leaving you with red and raw skin. You’ll usually also still have the mole.
If you try to shave off a mole, you may leave some of the mole in the skin. With shaving (or cutting), you also risk getting a serious scar or infection.
Tattooing over a mole isn’t a great option either. If melanoma later develops in the mole, it can be hard to see the early signs. Given time to grow, melanoma can spread, making treatment difficult.
A dermatologist can remove most moles during an office visit, without any downtime.
Insurance typically covers the cost, unless you’re having the mole removed because you dislike the way it looks.
Another advantage of having a dermatologist remove a mole is that the removed mole will be checked for signs of melanoma.
Having your mole checked for melanoma is important. If melanoma is found, you’ll be able to get the treatment you need. Finding out that your mole is harmless can give peace of mind.