Suspicious mole: consult a dermatologist online

Moles: when and who should you consult?

A mole (or naevus) is a small skin growth, usually brown or skin-coloured. Most of the time, moles are benign, meaning harmless. Derived from melanocytes (the cells that pigment the skin), these skin growths are nevertheless responsible for 20 to 30% of skin cancers (melanomas and carcinomas). It is therefore important to know how to recognise a cancerous mole and to check your moles regularly.

How can you recognise a cancerous mole?

Screening a suspicious mole is fairly simple but still requires a dermatologist's opinion. The clinical examination includes:
   • A skin examination;
   • A diagnosis using the ABCDE rule for melanoma;
   • A biopsy of the lesions, more rarely;
Normal moles are usually fairly easy to identify: they are oval or round, with regular, symmetrical edges. They do not cause pain and do not produce bleeding or itching. The ABCDE rule for melanoma is a relatively simple way to monitor how a mole is changing. These various changes can be a sign that a mole is developing into a melanoma:
   • Asymmetry (A): the two halves of the mole are different;
   • Border (B): the edges are not well-defined and smooth, but irregular and blurred;
   • Colour (C): the colour of the mole is changing; the colour is different or unusual compared with other people's moles;
   • Diameter (D): the mole is more than 6 mm wide, roughly the size of a pencil eraser;
   • Evolving (E): after the age of 30, a mole that appears should be watched closely, just like a mole that changes over time.
When it bleeds, becomes painful, is accompanied by itching, or when the skin around the mole is damaged, you need to consult a dermatologist. These signs can sometimes be symptoms of a melanoma; a biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. A mole can be removed with a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic, using a scalpel.

Moles: prevention and risk factors

In 20 to 30% of cases, moles are the origin of skin cancer. It is therefore essential to monitor how they change and to adopt certain habits:
   • Avoid exposure to the sun and UV rays by seeking shade. The idea is not to avoid daylight at all costs, but to reduce how often you're outdoors when the sun is strongest (between 10am and 4pm). Using tanning beds is also not recommended;
   • Protect your skin and face with protective clothing: a hat, long-sleeved shirts, trousers…
   • Use sunscreen with a high protection factor. It is recommended to reapply it every 2 hours, after sweating or swimming.
As for melanoma risk factors, they are generally linked to lifestyle habits, the environment or genetic predisposition. The risk factors for developing a melanoma therefore include:
   • Excessive exposure to artificial UV rays or sunlight;
   • Heightened sensitivity to radiation: this is the case, for example, in people with fair skin, blond or red hair, or in those with light-coloured eyes or freckles;
   • Congenital moles (present from birth) or moles of an unusual shape;
   • A high number of moles (more than 50) increases the risk of developing skin cancer;
   • Large moles;
   • A weakened immune system (immunosuppression);
   • Hereditary factors, particularly a family history of melanoma

I've torn off a mole, what should I do?

In principle, tearing off a mole is not dangerous, even if it bleeds. However, a mole that bleeds spontaneously, without any injury, can be a sign that the benign lesion is turning into a melanoma. So, above all, it's important to have your mole checked by a dermatologist to rule out any risk of melanoma. During the examination, the dermatologist will thoroughly examine your whole body, in addition to the mole that bled. Examination with a dermatoscope can also help reveal a melanoma. Rest assured, moles are most often benign. It is also reassuring:
   • If your grazed mole had already been on your body for a long time;
   • If no recent change in this mole has been observed;
   • And if the bleeding occurred following an injury rather than spontaneously.
Given the growing demand for dermatology consultations, it is possible to consult a dermatologist online to get a diagnosis within the day. While waiting for the consultation, it is recommended to care for the grazed mole with a plaster and an antiseptic to prevent possible infection.

Get your moles checked by a dermatologist online

Everyone has moles, most of them benign. They usually appear during childhood or adolescence. A mole appearing in adulthood is rare and can be a sign of melanoma. In addition, having more than 50 moles increases the risk of developing skin cancer. As with the dentist, it is generally recommended to see a dermatologist twice a year to monitor how your moles are changing. If in doubt, an online consultation can get you a diagnosis within a few hours. If the online dermatologist's assessment, based on the ABCDE rule for melanoma (asymmetry, border, colour, diameter, evolving), confirms the presence of a suspicious mole, a biopsy may be carried out to confirm the development of a melanoma. Surgical treatment will then be needed to remove the mole and the surrounding skin. Finally, removing a mole is not always a medical decision; it can also follow a patient's request for reasons of comfort or appearance. Health matters, so have your moles checked regularly to avoid complications.