Wether to worry about moles?

I've noticed that I've got so many moles most of which are tiny but someone told me that i should get them checked.
I was told that skin cancer is rare in anyone under the age of fourty so i didn't really worry much about it.
So should I really worry about moles?

Reply 1

chester.

18

You have no need to worry unless you they change in size, colour, shape or anything like that. if you feel pain in them or any change in sensation its worth just getting them a checked out; but as you said, you're under forty, and as long you look after yourself (i.e. apply sunscreen and not baby oil when in the sun!!) you should be fine.

Reply 2

bright star

1

you should definitely keep an eye on them and get them checked if you notice they change in any way. make sure you get any larger ones looked at. also be doubly careful about applying suncream to them. make sure you use a higher spf if you are prone to moles. don't burn your skin, but that's general advice. i wouldn't fret about them. but i would definitely keep an eye on them.

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

chester_2005

You have no need to worry unless you they change in size, colour, shape or anything like that. if you feel pain in them or any change in sensation its worth just getting them a checked out; but as you said, you're under forty, and as long you look after yourself (i.e. apply sunscreen and not baby oil when in the sun!!) you should be fine.

There is one I know i am going to get checked out due to it being itchy and quite raised
But Is there any other symptoms i should look out for

Reply 4

bright star

1

things to look out for are:
* itch
* enlargement
* change in colour (lighter or darker)
* bleeding
* inflammation
* ulcers forming on/near it
* change in shape
* irregular surface or edge

most moles are totally benign though and never cause anyone any problems. keep an eye on them, but try not to worry yourself about it. just make sure you're using adequate sun screen.

Reply 5

CheesyBeans

1

I went to the doctor about a mole I was very worried about. It is quite big and slightly raised. The doctor looked at it for a second and sent me on my way and so I wasn't satisfied that she had inspected it enough. I was still worrying so I went to see a different doctor who had a proper look at it. I was quite shocked when he too said there's nothing to worry about as it does look quite scary. He said I could get it removed if I wanted to as it's in a place where clothing my rub and irritate it a lot.

It's definitely worth getting a mole checked out if you personally are really worried about it. It feels great to have your mind put at ease especially if you worry as much as I did. If you haven't been worried before then please don't let people scare you.

Reply 6

Vampyrcorn

14

Most moles are friendly moles.

But if you're worried or one of them is looking suspicious then you can go to a doctor about them.

I went to see my GP about some of my more threatening-looking moles. He was nice and said that they looked ok to him but sent me onto a specialist because he wasn't sure. The specialist was also very nice, and also told me not to worry. All in all it was quite a fun experience. About as fun as mole experiences can get. :smile:

Reply 7

Jigglypuff

16

If any of your moles change, see your GP. Also see your GP if any of your moles really stand out (for example if all your moles are light brown but you have a darker one, or a large one). I had a mole once which had changed shade and gone a bit itchy. I went to my GP and she told me not to worry about it but referred me to the hospital. The doctor there had special equipment so could give me a more reliable opinion. Turns out I'd nicked the mole whilst shaving so it had become damaged. It's definitely worth getting moles checked out just for your own peace of mind.

As for you having lots of moles, I always thought I was pretty moley but even though having more moles puts you at higher risk of skin cancer (there is a certain figure), the moles have to be of a certain size. I only had a few bigger than this size. If they are small moles, I wouldn't say you have much to worry about if you are sensible in the sun.

Reply 8

*Joanna*

12

Jigglypuff

If any of your moles change, see your GP. Also see your GP if any of your moles really stand out (for example if all your moles are light brown but you have a darker one, or a large one). I had a mole once which had changed shade and gone a bit itchy. I went to my GP and she told me not to worry about it but referred me to the hospital. The doctor there had special equipment so could give me a more reliable opinion. Turns out I'd nicked the mole whilst shaving so it had become damaged. It's definitely worth getting moles checked out just for your own peace of mind.

As for you having lots of moles, I always thought I was pretty moley but even though having more moles puts you at higher risk of skin cancer (there is a certain figure), the moles have to be of a certain size. I only had a few bigger than this size. If they are small moles, I wouldn't say you have much to worry about if you are sensible in the sun.

Yeah, I had one I thought had got a lot darker in colour, but the doctor reckoned I'd caught on my bra strap or something and it'd bled and scabbed over. I went back a week later, and apparently it's a skin tag or something, not a mole after all.

Reply 9

Jadie.Babie

I had a mole on my arm and i caught it and it ripped off (not a nice thought).
It would stop bleeding, lost quite a bit of blood and i had to have stitches in my arm.

So i think you should get them checked out and then you can decide whether or not to have them removed, otherwise you could have a similar case to mine.

xx

Reply 10

bright star

1

depends, a lot of them aren't raised and so can't catch.

Reply 11

MentalSarcasm

I'd get them checked out just for piece of mind if nothing else. I had one that I was worried about and spent 3 weeks stressing about it before going to see a doctor. 5 second check, it was fine, big weight off my mind.

Reply 12

tonij

you should always have a mole checked out if you are concerned but you can remove them yourself now. Look at this website, they have lots of very interesting information about moles and skin tags and they sell a herbal paste to remove them google mole & wart ez clear or herbalremedyshop and you'll find lots of info.

You can't remove bad moles yourself of course!

Reply 13

HappyHupo

As others have said, if you're worried just go and get them checked. I had one removed about 2 years ago because it was raised and just looked ugly! When I went to see the specialist he recommeded that you should just keep an eye on your moles and get them checked out by your GP about once a year.

Reply 14

RetiredAccount89

18

One thing they do in australia for very moley people is to take good quality body photos at the affected areas (you can get this done professionally at private 'mole clinics').
The dermatologists then simply have to compare old phoo with new you to check your moles.

Reply 15

LadyEnglish

2

I have one growing on my palm which doesn't look too good :s Off to the dermatologists in a week :yawn:

Reply 16

username138327

1

If you want them removed don't: remove them yourself. You'll prolly cause more harm than good. Just book an appointment with your local practitioner and they will take them off for you by freezing or shaving. I'm having one taken off on wednesday.

Reply 17

Llamaaa

15

I have a new mole that's come out on my back, which is raised and itchy. I asked my mum, who's a nurse, and she said it looks fine, but I am getting worried because another preexisting mole on my arm has suddenly become raised and itchy too :frown:

Do you think it's worth mentioning to the doctor?

Reply 18

bright star

1

i know it sounds silly, but being worried about more than one probably means there's nothing wrong at all. it's really rare for a mole to become malignant, let alone 2 doing it at once. if you are worried though, go and get it looked at. it isn't good to be developing new moles really, if i were you i'd let my gp have a peek, set your mind at rest if nothing else.

Reply 19

LadyEnglish

2

bright star

i know it sounds silly, but being worried about more than one probably means there's nothing wrong at all. it's really rare for a mole to become malignant, let alone 2 doing it at once. if you are worried though, go and get it looked at. it isn't good to be developing new moles really, if i were you i'd let my gp have a peek, set your mind at rest if nothing else.

GP's can't do a lot unless they have some training in dermatology I've found. My GP did the usual, measured it, felt it etc. But it's a dermatologist you need to see really if you're concerned.

Wether to worry about moles?

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