Raise Moles on Face, Back, Red Raised Mole, Removal, Itchy, Cancerous, Black

I have a raised mole that itches; does it indicate that I have skin cancer? What does raised mole on the face and scalp mean? Can a raised mole be removed? These are all common questions that keep being thrown around in online forums. This article will explain what raised moles means and highlight the connection between raised moles with skin cancer. We have also explained the removal options for raised moles and included several raised mole pictures for a more complete understanding.

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Raised Mole on Face & Scalp

So you have a raised mole on face and scalp and are wondering what it means. Well, according to the NHS UK, Moles can be either raised or flat. This means that it is not a cause for concern having a raised mole on face or scalp. This is especially so if the mole is the kind that an individual is born with, the type that is typically referred to as congenital nevi.

You can as well get a raised mole later in life. Such moles are called acquired moles and are as well not a cause for concern so long as they are normal moles, that is, they conform to the ABCDE rule of melanoma [see the “Raised Mole Vs Cancer] section below for more information].

Raised Mole on Back & Neck

Some people may also develop a raised mole on the back or neck either at birth or at later stages of life. As a matter of fact, moles can develop anywhere on the body but the areas that get more sunlight have higher chances of developing a mole. The neck is one such area and so are the chest, arms, hands, and face.

It is advisable to check your moles regularly for any changes in color, shape, size as this may be early signs of melanoma. Other things to watch out for are bleeding, oozing, inflammation, and redness and should such observations be made, you should see a dermatologist or any other professional healthcare provider immediately.

Raised Mole Pictures

If you will agree with me, this discussion would hardly be complete without more pictures to demonstrate raised moles, right? So here we go with raised mole pictures to nourish your brain.

Red Raised Mole & Raised Pink Mole

We have already said that raised moles are not necessarily an indication of skin cancer nor should they be more than a pencil’s width in diameter. What about that red or pink colored mole? Does it show higher risk of melanoma?

Well, while most moles are typically brownish in color, it is as well in order to have a pink, red, tan, or black mole so long as the mole doesn’t have multiple coloration or show any other sign of melanoma (ABCDEs of melanoma).

Raised Mole Removal

Having a raised mole is by default not a cause for concern, but it might become necessary to remove it if it suddenly starts showing signs of melanoma such as increasing in size, getting uneven edges, having an asymmetrical shape, having more than 3 colors e.g. tan, brown and red, or growing bigger than a pencil’s width.

A biopsy is normally done on the suspicious moles to determine if they are cancerous in which case they would then need to be removed. Some people may also decide to get their raised moles removed chiefly for aesthetic reasons. Removal of such a raised bump usually involves cutting it off surgically after which the dermatologist will stitch the wound left behind. Some tissues are also cut off the surrounding skin to ensure a more complete removal of cancerous cells.

Black Raised Mole

Some people may also get dark raised moles which are as well okay. As with all other moles, such moles can occur on any part of the body but they are most likely to occur on the back, legs, arms and face.

No matter where the mole occur, it is very important that you see your doctor if it seems abnormal to you, for example, it is more than the width of a pencil eraser or has two or more shades of color. It is better to be safe than sorry.

If that black raised mole also suddenly changes in shape or gets rugged borders, it might also be time to see a dermatologist to rule out melanoma.

Raised Mole Vs Cancer

Raised moles are not necessarily cancerous and many people have normal moles that are raised from the skin. Moles may however turn cancerous leading to development of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. Some people are genetically more predisposed to melanoma than others.

If you have lots of raised moles, more so the atypical type of moles, it is advisable to have check-up at least once per year. A self-examination routine is also recommended whereby your key goal is to assess your mole’s conformation to the ABCDE of melanoma which is described below:

A = Asymmetry: If your mole was to be cut into two sections, the two halves would roughly overlap over each other.

B = Border: The mole has uniform, smooth borders, not rugged ones

C = Color: The mole has uniform coloration and is not too dark

D = Diameter: The diameter of the mole is no more than the width of a pencil’s eraser

E = Evolving/Elevation: The mole is uniformly elevated from the skin surface and not evolving as time goes by

If your mole doesn’t conform to any of the above rules, then you should seek medical attention immediately as this may be a sign of melanoma.

Raised Mole That Itches

Having raised mole that itches is not a good thing and should warrant the attention of your doctor. Itching is a common early sign that a mole is becoming cancerous and you should thus see a doctor immediately to rule out melanoma.

Raised Mole on Face, Back, Neck (with Pictures)