When to Seek Mole Treatment: Signs You Should Get Your Mole Checked

Everyone has moles, and most moles are normal. If a mole is abnormal, it could be an early sign of skin cancer. It’s important to know when to get your mole checked. Dr. Michael Masters at Blue Ridge Dermatology in Clyde, NC, offers comprehensive dermatology services, including mole evaluation and removal.

What You Need To Know About Moles

Moles develop when melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin color, clump together. They can appear black or brown. You want to see moles that are well defined, with regular borders. You also want your moles not to change over time. You should have a mole checked if it is:

• Irregular, with ragged borders
• An asymmetrical, non-uniform shape
• Changing in size, color, or shape
• Large, with a diameter larger than 6 millimeters
• Itching, bleeding, or oozing

Doing a self-check of your skin regularly is the best way to identify abnormal moles. If you see an abnormal mole, it’s important to visit the dermatologist. Mole removal may be recommended. A biopsy to check the mole for cancerous cells may also be advised.

To remove the mole, your dermatologist will thoroughly numb the area and then remove the mole using one of these methods, depending on the size of the mole:

Shaving the mole by cutting underneath it and around it; this is an excellent treatment for small moles, and it doesn’t require sutures.

Surgically removing the mole using a punching instrument to extract the entire mole; this treatment requires closure with sutures.

Visiting your dermatologist at least once each year is an excellent way to help identify skin cancer early. Remember to always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you are outside.

Want To Know More About Moles and Mole Removal?

To find out more about when you should get your mole checked, and mole removal options, call Dr. Michael Masters at Blue Ridge Dermatology in Clyde, NC. You can reach him in the office by calling (828) 456-7343, so call today.