A mole is a common skin growth formed by clusters of pigment-producing cells. While most moles are harmless, a new or changing mole can signal melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. People often wonder if subtle symptoms, such as itching, can be a warning sign of this underlying malignancy. This article addresses the symptom of itching and details the common visual indicators that warrant professional attention.
Is Itching a Sign of Concern?
An itchy sensation (pruritus) in a mole should be monitored, though it is not a definitive indicator of cancer. Benign moles can become temporarily itchy due to simple causes like dryness, friction, or general skin irritation. However, persistent, new, or intense itching, tenderness, or pain localized within a mole can be associated with malignant changes. This symptom occurs because the rapid growth of cancerous cells can irritate nerve endings, triggering the itch sensation, or due to the body’s inflammatory response. Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are statistically more likely to cause itching than melanoma.
The ABCDE Guide to Recognizing Dangerous Moles
The primary way dermatologists recommend monitoring moles is by using the ABCDE criteria, which focuses on visual and physical changes. This systematic approach helps identify the characteristics most commonly found in early-stage melanoma. Recognizing these visual signs is considered more reliable for initial screening than focusing on a single symptom like itching.
- Asymmetry: The two halves of the mole do not match if an imaginary line is drawn through the middle. Non-cancerous moles are typically symmetrical.
- Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched, blurred, or poorly defined, unlike the smooth borders of a normal mole.
- Color variation: The mole contains multiple colors or shades within the same lesion, such as black, brown, tan, red, white, or blue, instead of a uniform shade.
- Diameter: Most melanomas are larger than 6 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser), though they can be smaller when first detected.
- Evolving: This is the most important sign, representing any change in the mole’s size, shape, color, or elevation over time. This also includes new symptoms like bleeding, crusting, or persistent itching.
Next Steps: When to Consult a Specialist
If you observe changes aligning with the ABCDE criteria, or develop new, persistent symptoms, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. This includes any mole that begins to bleed, ooze, become painful, or develops a non-healing sore. Early detection of melanoma is important, as the prognosis is significantly better when the cancer is caught in its earliest stages. A dermatologist can use specialized tools like a dermatoscope to examine the mole and determine if a biopsy is required. Paying attention to the “ugly duckling” sign—a mole that looks distinctly different from all the others on your body—is also a valuable part of self-monitoring.