Moles: which doctor should I see?
Moles are common and almost always harmless. It matters to notice if a mole changes or a new one appears that looks different from the others: rarely, this is how melanoma starts — a skin cancer that is easier to treat when found early. Here you will learn what to look for, when it is urgent and which specialist to see.
Book a specialistWhen it is urgent
- A mole or the wound after its removal bleeds and the bleeding does not stop despite pressure, or the blood spurts.
- The skin around a mole or a removal wound is red, hot and swollen and you have a high fever or chills, a fast pulse or fast breathing, purple patches on the skin, dizziness or feeling faint, confusion or cold, clammy or pale skin.
With these signs, seek emergency help — call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Call 112What it may mean
- An ordinary mole — round or oval, with a smooth edge and one colour; it usually does not change over time.
- An atypical mole — larger, with a blurred edge or several shades; usually harmless, but people with such moles have a higher risk of melanoma, so show it to a dermatologist and keep an eye on it.
- Changes in pregnancy and childhood — moles may darken in pregnancy, and new ones appear in childhood and the teenage years.
- Melanoma — less often; a mole that grows or changes shape or colour, has an uneven edge or several colours, bleeds, itches or crusts.
- Another skin cancer — a new spot or sore that does not go away or heal for weeks.
Which specialist
How to prepare for the visit
Note when you noticed the change and take photos of the mole if it changes. Note whether anyone in your family has had melanoma, whether you have had bad sunburns and whether you use a sunbed. On the day of the visit, do not put make-up or cream on the mole.
Frequently asked questions
When is a mole a reason for a visit?
Book a visit without delay if a mole has changed size, shape or colour, has an uneven edge or several colours, hurts, itches, is inflamed, bleeds or crusts, or if a new spot appears that looks different from the others or does not go away after a few weeks. The same applies to a dark streak under a nail that is not from an injury.
Does the mole need to be removed?
Most moles do not need removing. The doctor may recommend it if the mole has changed, looks suspicious or bothers you; it is then examined under a microscope.
Dermatologist or surgeon?
The first specialist is a dermatologist, who examines the moles with a dermatoscope and decides whether one should be removed. A dermatologist or a surgeon can remove it.
This information does not replace a visit to a doctor.