An itchy mole can be a normal occurrence, often due to common irritations. However, itching can also signal a more serious underlying condition. Understanding these possibilities is important for skin health.
Common Reasons Moles Itch
Moles can itch for various benign reasons. Dry skin can cause a mole to itch, as can friction from clothing, jewelry, or shaving. These irritations often lead to temporary itching.
External factors like new skincare products, lotions, soaps, or detergents can trigger irritation or allergic reactions on or around a mole. Moles prone to sunburn can also become irritated and itchy from sun exposure. If the itching is temporary, resolves on its own, and the mole shows no other changes, it is typically not a cause for concern.
When Itching Moles Signal Concern
Persistent itching in a mole, especially with other changes, can indicate a more serious condition like melanoma or other skin cancers. While melanoma, the most severe type, can itch, it is less common than with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), where about 40% of cases involve itching.
Dermatologists use the “ABCDE” rule to assess moles for melanoma:
Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other.
Border irregularity: Edges are uneven, jagged, or blurry.
Color variation: Multiple shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue within the mole.
Diameter: Moles larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser) are a warning sign, though melanomas can be smaller when detected early.
Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or elevation over time, or new symptoms like persistent itching, bleeding, oozing, or a non-healing sore.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Any new mole appearing after age 30, or any existing mole that begins to itch persistently, bleed, or change, warrants a visit to a dermatologist. If you notice any “ABCDE” signs, or if a mole becomes painful, tender, or crusty, seek professional evaluation. A dermatologist can perform an examination and may suggest a biopsy to determine if the mole is cancerous.
Consulting a healthcare provider for any mole exhibiting changes, even if only itching, allows for early detection of skin cancer. Early diagnosis of melanoma and other skin cancers improves the chances of successful treatment and recovery.