Moles and Changing Skin Spots: What to Watch For and When to Be Seen

What it involves

MedlinePlus says moles are growths on the skin that happen when pigment cells grow in clusters. Most people have between 10 and 40 of them. They are usually pink, tan or brown, flat or raised, round or oval, and no larger than a pencil eraser.

Who this is for

• Adults with a mole that has changed in size, color, shape or texture
• Patients with a spot that bleeds, itches, crusts or will not heal
• People with many moles, a family history of skin cancer or a lot of past sun exposure
• Anyone who found a spot that looks different from the others on their skin

What to expect

• Questions about when you first noticed the spot, what has changed and your sun exposure and family history
• A look at the spot and a check of other areas of your skin
• A discussion of whether to watch it, remove it or refer you to a skin specialist for testing
• Clear instructions for checking your own skin and when to come back

What a normal mole looks like

MedlinePlus says people may develop new moles from time to time, usually until about age 40, and that in older people they tend to fade away. A common mole is even in color, has a clear edge and stays the same over the years. About one in ten people has at least one unusual mole, called a dysplastic nevus, that looks different from an ordinary one. Those may be more likely than ordinary moles to turn into melanoma, which is why a mole that stands out is worth a visit.

The ABCDE signs

MedlinePlus suggests thinking of ABCDE. Asymmetry means one half does not match the other. Border means the edges are ragged, blurred or irregular. Color means the shade is uneven and may include shades of black, brown and tan. Diameter means the spot has changed in size, usually grown. Evolving means it has changed over weeks or months. A spot with any of these features is a reason to book, not a diagnosis.

Other changes worth reporting

The MedlinePlus encyclopedia tells people to have a provider examine any birthmark and to report bleeding, color change, inflammation, itching, an open sore, pain, a change in size or a change in texture. Its skin self-exam instructions also mention the ugly duckling idea: a mole that looks and feels different from the other moles near it. A sore that will not heal can also be a skin problem of another kind, and the skin conditions guide describes the range a provider sees.

How to check your own skin

MedlinePlus says the easiest time for a skin self-exam is after a bath or shower, in a bright room with a full-length mirror. Look at the front and back of your body, under the arms, the arms, hands, legs, between the buttocks, the genital area, face, neck and scalp, and the soles and between the toes. A hand mirror and a comb help with the scalp, and a person you trust can check places you cannot see. Write down what you find and take a dated photo so changes are easy to prove later.

What a visit can and cannot do

MedlinePlus says a provider will examine the skin, and that a biopsy may be done to look for changes that are signs of cancer. A provider may also photograph a spot to compare it over time. At Serenity By A Dr. Sareen the visit covers the history and the skin exam, and a spot that needs a biopsy, removal or full skin cancer check is handled by referral to a skin specialist. The practice lists skin diseases among the conditions it treats, and the lumps and cysts guide covers growths that are not moles.

Sun protection in Florida

Sun damage adds up over years, and the Florida sun is strong for much of the year. The sunburn guide explains how burns are treated and when they need a visit, and MedlinePlus, drawing on the National Cancer Institute, notes that unusual moles may be more likely than ordinary ones to develop into melanoma. Shade, a hat and sunscreen are the simple habits. If you have had many sunburns or have a family history of melanoma, say so at your visit so your provider can decide how often your skin should be looked at.

Sources

• MedlinePlus: Moles (health topic)
• MedlinePlus: Melanoma (health topic)
• MedlinePlus: Skin self-exam (patient instructions)