A mole is a common skin growth that forms when pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes, cluster together instead of spreading evenly across the skin. These growths can appear anywhere on the body, varying in color from skin tone to brown or black, and can be flat or raised. While the presence of moles is normal, a bleeding mole can be concerning. It is important to understand the various reasons a mole might bleed, as not all instances indicate a serious problem.
Common Reasons for Bleeding Moles
Moles can bleed for several benign reasons, often related to external factors. Accidental injury, like scratching, bumping, or snagging on clothing or jewelry, can cause a mole to bleed. This is particularly common for raised moles that are more exposed to friction.
Repeated irritation, like picking at a mole or constant rubbing from tight clothing, can also disrupt its surface and lead to minor bleeding. Additionally, moles can sometimes become dry, causing the skin to crack and bleed. These occurrences are typically minor and usually heal on their own.
Serious Medical Conditions
Bleeding from a mole can sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical condition, particularly certain types of skin cancer. Melanoma, a form of skin cancer that originates in melanocytes, can manifest with a bleeding mole. Bleeding is a warning sign for melanoma, often accompanied by other changes in the mole’s appearance, such as asymmetry, irregular borders, varied color, or a diameter larger than a pencil eraser. Evolution in a mole’s size, shape, color, or texture, including crusting, itching, or pain, can also be concerning.
Basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, often appears as a pearly or waxy bump that may bleed easily, crust over, and not heal properly. These lesions can also present as open sores or red, scaly patches. Bleeding in basal cell carcinoma occurs because these cancers stimulate new, fragile blood vessel growth to support their development.
Squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, can present as red, scaly patches or open sores that may bleed and fail to heal. These growths can also appear as elevated growths with a central depression or wart-like growths that crust and bleed. Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma can be fragile, leading to bleeding with minor trauma or even spontaneously.
When to Seek Professional Advice
It is important to seek professional medical advice if a mole exhibits certain characteristics or behaviors. If a mole bleeds without any obvious trauma or continues to bleed after a minor injury, a healthcare provider should evaluate it. Recurrent bleeding from the same mole, even if seemingly minor, also warrants medical attention.
Any new or changing symptoms associated with a mole, such as persistent itching, tenderness, or pain, should prompt a visit to a doctor. If bleeding is accompanied by changes in the mole’s appearance—including its size, shape, color, border irregularity, or asymmetry—it is important to have it examined. Early detection of concerning moles is important for effective treatment.
First Aid and Proactive Measures
If a mole begins to bleed, steps can help manage the situation. Gently clean the affected area with mild soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. Apply gentle, direct pressure to the mole with a clean cloth or sterile gauze until the bleeding stops. Once the bleeding has ceased, covering the mole with a sterile bandage can protect it.
To care for moles and minimize issues, regular self-skin checks are recommended. This involves routinely examining skin for new moles or changes in existing ones. Protecting moles from trauma by being mindful of clothing and jewelry, and practicing sun protection, such as using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing, can also help maintain skin health.