Is an Itchy Mole a Sign of Melanoma?

An itchy mole is usually caused by something harmless, such as a new skincare product or detergent. However, in some cases, a mole that becomes itchy can be a sign of melanoma skin cancer, especially if the mole has also changed in other ways.

What Is a Mole?

Moles arise from cells in the skin called melanocytes. These cells are also responsible for skin and hair color and the darkening of the skin with sun exposure (a suntan).

Most moles (nevi) typically appear before you reach your 20s; some are present at birth. Congenital nevi (moles present at birth) are more likely to develop into melanoma.

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Does an Itchy Mole Mean Cancer?

Moles are extremely common. However, the vast majority of moles do not turn into skin cancer. When they do, itching can be one of the symptoms.

Most of the time, however, itchiness isn't the only change you'll notice in a cancerous mole. Typically, suspicious moles have changed in size, shape, and/or color over a period of time.

Still, if the itchiness persists, even if there are no other changes, or can't be explained by other causes, it's a good idea to have it evaluated by your healthcare provider.

What Else Could Make a Mole Itch?

There are several reasons why a mole could become irritated and itchy, including:

• Dry skin
• Peeling due to a sunburn
• Clothing or jewelry rubbing against a mole
• Exposure to certain skin products
• Exposure to chemicals touching your skin
• A skin condition, such as eczema, in the area near the mole

The ABCDE Rule of Skin Cancer

The ABCDE rule can help you determine if changes in a mole indicate a possible melanoma. The five warning signs of melanoma include:

• Asymmetry: Noncancerous moles are usually symmetrical, meaning one side of the mole looks similar. Most skin cancer spots will not look the same on both sides.
• Border: The borders of cancerous moles may be uneven, jagged, or blurry.
• Color: Noncancerous moles are uniform in color. Cancerous moles have different colors or shades. Melanomas often have a classic "red, white, and blue" appearance.
• Diameter: Moles more significant than a pencil eraser—about 1/4 inch, or 6 millimeters (mm)—are considered abnormal. This includes a mole that you have had since birth.
• Evolution or elevation: Evolution means a change in the symmetry, borders, colors, or diameter of an existing mole. Elevation is when a mole rises above your skin, especially if it is uneven.

Itching, bleeding, or oozing from a mole is a cause for concern, as is any mole area that looks like a scrape but isn't healing in a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes, a new or odd sensation in the region near a mole can be an early symptom of melanoma.

It's normal for moles to change during puberty and pregnancy. Changes at other times in life should be carefully observed and brought to the attention of a healthcare provider.

Moles vs. Melanoma

It can be hard to tell the difference between melanoma and normal moles. Photos of moles and melanomas show just how tricky this can be.

A healthcare provider who specializes in dermatology (skin conditions) can determine whether your mole needs to be biopsied. With a biopsy, a small piece of the mole is removed and examined under a microscope to see if there are cancerous cells.

Skin Cancer Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide

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Melanoma Risk Factors

Some people have a lot of moles while others only have a few. Moles tend to run in families, so if your parents have moles, you're more likely to have them.

The science remains unclear on why some moles will develop into cancer while others do not. Risk factors include:

• Being fair-skinned
• Having a large number of moles
• Excess sun exposure
• Environmental factors
• Family history of melanoma

Changes in genes, or mutations, have only been implicated in around 1% of melanomas. Still, studies suggest that more than half of a person's risk of melanoma is related to genetic factors.

Estimating Your Melanoma Risk

Melanomas account for around 1% of skin cancers. While rare, they are responsible for most skin cancer deaths.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of California, San Francisco, designed a tool as an aid for healthcare providers to identify people who have a higher risk of melanoma.

Your healthcare provider can use this interactive tool to estimate your risk of developing melanoma and let you know how often you should be screened.

Factors included in this assessment tool include:

• Age
• Complexion
• How your skin tans
• Ethnicity
• Freckling (absent, mild, moderate, or severe)
• Gender
• Geographic location
• Number of moles

Melanoma Treatment

If a skin biopsy indicates the mole is melanoma, treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer. Treatment may include:

• Surgical shave or excision of the mole
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy

Summary

Many people have moles, which begin in skin cells called melanocytes. Some of these moles, called congenital nevi, are present at birth. They also tend to run in families. When both factors are present, the risk of developing melanoma increases.

Sometimes an itchy mole can be a sign of melanoma, but it's more likely that the itchiness is caused by a new skincare product, sunscreen, or detergent.

It's essential to have an abnormal or itchy mole checked by a dermatologist. They can spot changes that are cause for concern. This includes changes in symmetry, color, shape, size, height, and borders of the mole.