A mole is typically nothing to worry about as it may be harmless. However, sometimes a mole can indicate melanoma, and, therefore, the need to identify it and seek medical assistance from your provider at Manhattan Dermatology. But how do you know when to see your doctor about moles? How do you differentiate a typical mole from a problematic one? Here are four signs that can help you tell you it’s time to see your moles specialist.
When One Side of a Mole is Different from the Other
A typical mole’s appearance is uniform from any direction. If you would divide the mole in half in any direction, the halves should look alike. You can try this by placing a transparent ruler at the center of the mole and compare both sides of your ruler. If you notice any difference, this can be a serious cause of alarm. Here is a list of things to look for:
- Moles with uneven borders
- Moles with asymmetrical shapes
- Moles that have dark centers and light edges
- Moles that are darker or lighter at the edges
- Moles with color variations
Seek medical assistance as soon as you notice any of the above characters on your moles as you can get immediate help and prevent melanoma.
When the Mole Gets Bigger Than a Pencil Eraser
According to the experts, small-sized moles pose less threat of skin cancer compared to larger ones. T tell if how large is harmful, use the size of a pencil eraser, which is about a quarter of an inch, to tell your moles’ size. If you notice it’s larger, take it as a serious skin cancer warning and rush to your doctor for evaluation and examination and effective treatment as well.
When the Mole Changes Color
Note that for healthy moles, the color and shape are consistent. However, moles come in different colors and shapes and vary from pink to dark brown, depending on your skin pigmentation. For an instant, having a dark mole may not necessarily pose a threat to you, but if the color seems to change, it may suggest you have an underlying condition, particularly skin cancer.
Although having dark skin or moles doesn’t put you at the risk of melanoma, it is critical to pay attention to the parts of your skin that don’t have much sunlight exposure, such as your hands’ palms, inside your mouth, and the soles of your feet.
When Something Just Doesn’t Seem Right About the Mole
Most people tend to ignore moles on their skin unless it is on the face and affect how they feel about how they look. However, it is much needed to keep your moles in check every time just to notice anything that can be suspicious. This is also how you will observe any changes occurring on them before it is too late. When you bathe or before you dress up, take time to examine your moles, and in case anything concerns you, such as blood or swelling, it’s time to give your doctor a visit.
If you notice any changes in your moles and you are concerned, speak to your doctor about the necessary steps to be taken to limit the skin cancer threat. A good way to determine if a mole could be cancerous is through the ABCDEs of melanoma. Note that after effective diagnosis, the mole can be medically or surgically removed.
