Which moles should be removed

If the mole has indistinct borders or is asymmetrical side-to-side or top-to-bottom, get it checked out. Some people are so worried about cancer, they just ignore worrisome or changing moles. Most moles are harmless, so most often a visit will ease your mind.

But a suspicious mole should not be ignored. Skin cancers, even melanoma, are curable if they are diagnosed and treated early. Unfortunately, ignoring a dangerous mole could prove fatal. How can you help? They are proven safe and effective in reducing COVID illness, keeping people out of the hospital, and preventing death. If your situation is not an emergency, please use other care options, including: Visit CentraCare eClinic online , Schedule same-day appointments with your primary care provider, Speak with a CentraCare Connect nurse at , or Visit Urgent Care.

If this is a medical emergency, call , or visit the ER. Together, we can do this. Thank you for your support. How is a Mole Removed? Prevention guidelines. Skin Cancer Foundation.

Gibson LE expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. What does a mole look like? National Cancer Institute. Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma. Hawryluk EB, et al. Pediatric melanoma, moles, and sun safety. Pediatric Clinics of North America. American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen: How to help protect your skin from the sun. Food and Drug Administration. Skin cancer including melanoma — Patient version.

Niederhuber JE, et al. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. Moles normally appear during childhood. If somebody over 20 finds a new mole, they should at least have a dermatologist examine it. It might be notably bigger or a different shade of brown, for example.

This can be removed using laser mole removal. A patient should also see a dermatologist if their mole is itchy, painful, or bleeds. They should also see a dermatologist if their mole has a rough, crusty, or scaly texture. Learn about monitoring them as an early warning sign for skin cancer.

Surgically removing a mole, either for cosmetic reasons or because the mole is cancerous, will result in a scar. In time, you may find it almost…. While there are benefits to using marijuana for medical conditions, there are also some risks.

We discuss benefits, side effects, and risks of using…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How to Remove Moles. Home treatments Harmful home treatments See a doctor What to do Why a mole may need to be removed Moles are common skin growths. Are there effective ways to remove moles at home? Why home removal is harmful. When to see a doctor. The bottom line. Read this next. What Are Skin Moles? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Apple Cider Vinegar for Mole Removal.

Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R.