{"id":36939,"date":"2025-04-21T14:08:48","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=36939"},"modified":"2025-05-09T19:14:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T19:14:38","slug":"should-i-see-a-doctor-moles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/should-i-see-a-doctor-moles\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I see a doctor: Moles","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout life you\u2019ll hear loads of different health tips. From long-held mantras like \u201cAn apple a day keeps the doctor away,\u201d to getting at least eight glasses of water a day, it\u2019s hard to know which to follow and which you can ignore.<\/p>\n

Luckily, the advice for moles is easy: If it isn\u2019t acting up, pay it no mind.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s \u2018normal\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A melanocytic nevus or mole is a normal feature of human skin and can appear at any point from before birth to middle age (35-44). Moles will likely change gradually throughout life and sometimes more rapidly for non-worrisome reasons such as hormone changes.<\/p>\n

If your mole isn\u2019t itchy or sore and isn\u2019t bleeding or oozing, there\u2019s often little reason for concern. If you\u2019ve had the mole as long as you can remember and nothing has changed, you can probably let it be.<\/p>\n

One of the most reassuring signs of a mole is if it grows hair. Moles tend to leave hair follicles alone, unlike skin cancers, which would kill the hair if present.<\/p>\n

You may notice moles changing as your skin goes through new stages of life \u2014 slowly during decades of aging or more rapidly when pregnant or beginning puberty. These shouldn\u2019t raise red flags.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s \u2018not normal\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite misconceptions, not every mole is a predecessor to cancer. But staying aware of variations to your skin is important.<\/p>\n

Drastic changes to an existing mole \u2014 bizarre shapes and colors, bleeding, oozing, pain or itchiness not caused by other skin conditions, or the formation of a sore that won\u2019t heal \u2014 are reason to visit your primary care provider. They can assess if you need to see a dermatologist.<\/p>\n

For new or changing moles, consider the \u201cugly duckling\u201d test. If a new mole doesn\u2019t look or act like any others, schedule an appointment with your provider. Don\u2019t forget to tell them about any risk factors, such as radiation exposure or a first-degree relative with melanoma.<\/p>\n

How to care for your condition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Stay vigilant but don\u2019t overreact \u2014 moles rarely warrant a trip to urgent care. Instead, keep an eye on your skin, stay hydrated and moisturized, and wear sunscreen.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re worried about moles you can\u2019t see, such as on your back, it doesn\u2019t hurt to ask your primary care provider to take a look. But simply having a mole isn\u2019t a reason to worry.<\/p>\n

Removing a mole won\u2019t prevent skin cancer. But staying aware of skin changes and seeking help when something doesn\u2019t look right may prevent skin cancer from causing more harm than it otherwise would.<\/p>\n

Medical review provided for this piece by <\/em>David Larrymore<\/em><\/a>, MD, with <\/em>MultiCare Rockwood Clinic Dermatology Center.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Throughout life you\u2019ll hear loads of different health tips. From long-held mantras like \u201cAn apple a day keeps the doctor away,\u201d to getting at least eight glasses of water a day, it\u2019s hard to know which to follow and which you can ignore. Luckily, the advice for moles is easy: If it isn\u2019t acting up, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":115,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[157],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ask-a-doctor"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nShould I see a doctor: Moles - MultiCare Vitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u201cCheck your moles.\u201d You hear it often. But what should you actually be looking for? 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