Other Skin Conditions: Moles, Birthmarks, Dryness, Etc. / Question
Published: April 27, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I'm a 16 year old girl and I have a lot of moles on my body. My doctors have told me to keep an eye on the bigger ones to see if they change, etc. I was just wondering; what exactly should I be looking for?
Signed: Changes With My Moles - What Am I Looking For?
Dear Changes With My Moles - What Am I Looking For?,
Moles are a type of skin lesion that are very common and that are almost always benign. However, it is possible for a mole to be cancerous – so there are certain changes you will want to look for and alert your doctor to.
The specific changes you will want to look for are:
· Moles that look different from other existing moles
· Moles that first appear on the skin after the age of 20
· Change in a mole’s color, height, size or shape
· Moles that are bleeding, oozing, itchy, or appear scaly
· Moles that become tender or painful
You can also use the ABCDE tool when checking your moles. If a mole displays any of the following changes it should be checked immediately as it could be cancerous:
· Asymmetry – One half of the mole does not match the other
· Border – The edges of the mole are ragged, irregular or blurred
· Color – The color of the mole is not the same throughout or has shades of tan, brown, black, blue, white or red
· Diameter – The diameter of the mole is larger than a pencil eraser
· Elevation – A portion of the mole appears elevated or raised from the skin
To keep an eye out for these kinds of skin changes it is good to meet with a dermatologist once a year for a thorough exam of your skin. In addition, form time to time you can examine your own skin with a mirror or ask a family member to help you. In checking your own skin it is important to pay attention to the areas that are exposed most often to the sun – like your face, ears, neck, hands and arms.
If you see any of the changes listed above, notice any new moles or want a mole removed for cosmetic reasons, then speak with your dermatologist.
If a doctor believes a mole needs to be evaluated further or removed entirely, he/she will either remove the entire mole or take a small tissue sample of the mole and perform a biopsy on the sample. If the mole is found to be cancerous the doctor will remove it by cutting out the entire mole and a rim of skin around it, and stitching the wound closed.
While TeenHealthFX has given you an idea as to the kinds of changes you will want to look for, we do recommend that you ask your doctor these questions as well. If your doctor specifically told you to keep an eye on particular moles, then ask him/her the kinds of changes you should look for. And always feel free to ask your doctor these kinds of questions in the future – whether in the office or over the phone if it’s something you didn’t think of during your exam. That’s what they are there for, and it’s important you walk away feeling that you have a full understanding of any concerns or recommendations they may have.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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