#ABCD MOLES SKIN#
at the surrounding skin for clues like inflammation. I teach medical students to look ‘Elsewhere’ i.e. There is widespread agreement that the ABCD of checking moles are Asymmetry, Border, Colour and Diameter but several different options for what E should be.
If a mole starts to bleed, itch or crust, then it should be checked out immediately. Taking pictures of your moles as a point of reference can help.
Evolving: arrange an appointment with a dermatologist if you notice any changes to size, prominence or colour of an existing mole or the appearance of a new mole or lesion. Diameter: a melanoma is often larger in size than the normal moles so look for any unusually large moles and check these especially carefully. Moles with several different colours, or darker colours arranged in an irregular pattern are more worrying and should be checked out. Colour: a single colour, paler colours and regular arrangement of the colour are all reassuring signs that a mole is likely to be normal. Borders: a benign mole usually has a smooth, regular border, so notched or ragged borders can be a cause for concern. Asymmetry: a ‘healthy’ mole is more likely to be symmetrical whereas asymmetry is a warning sign that a lesion is abnormal. The ABCDE acronym has been developed as a handy guide to self-checking your moles: What should you look out for when you check your skin? If you notice a new mole or a change within one or your existing moles it is important to have it checked to make sure it is not an abnormal mole or melanoma. It’s normal to have between 10- 40 moles on the face and body and the majority are completely harmless. The medical term for a mole is a ‘naevus’ from the Latin word for birthmark although, in fact, the majority of moles are not present at birth. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with almost 15,000 new melanoma cases diagnosed every year.īefore heading out into the sun this summer stop and think: how mole aware are you? Moles are a cluster of skin cells known as melanocytes that give pigment to our skin. Golden, glowing skin is an aspiration for many in the summer months, but it is important not to pursue this at the expense of our health.
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