Table of contents:
- What causes an itchy mole?
- How to distinguish normal and abnormal moles?
- So, what is the right treatment for itchy moles?
- 1. Surgical shave
- 2. Surgical excision
Generally, almost everyone has a mole on the body. Moles are a normal skin condition so there is nothing to worry about. However, some people complain of moles because they interfere with the view, sometimes even causing itching. Actually, what causes an itchy mole and how is it treated?
What causes an itchy mole?
Moles usually appear on several areas of the body such as hands, feet, back, face, and scalp. Moles are known for their black or brown color. The shape also varies, it can be flat to the skin, or protrude above the surface of the skin. However, no matter what the circumstances, this skin condition is still considered normal and harmless.
It's just that, some people complain of an itchy mole. There are various things that cause this condition, from contact with clothing, lotions, detergents, soaps, or the use of other chemical products.
Although rare, itchy moles can also be a sign of melanoma cancer. However, that does not mean that it itches, it means that you must have cancer. For more details, check for other symptoms that appear along with itching sensation in your mole.
How to distinguish normal and abnormal moles?
A normal mole is usually small, round, and brown or black in color. If you pay close attention, whether it is flat or appears on the skin, the surface looks the same, aka nothing is more prominent.
Meanwhile, moles that are deemed abnormal are marked by a different color and shape or even change. For example, a mole that looks bigger every day.
The characteristics that indicate an abnormal mole include:
- There is an uneven side
- There are differences in color and shape in one mole
- The size is very large, even tends to get bigger every day
- The mole changes color, shape, size, compared to before
- Felt hurt
- Bleeds when scratched
- Hardens
Before you guess whether your itchy mole is still normal or not, try to check other possibilities first. It may be because of a new product that you are using, causing a chemical reaction that eventually irritates the skin. In addition, it could also be due to too frequent rubbing with clothes, so that without realizing it makes the mole itchy.
What is important to remember, not all moles that are abnormal or moles that itchy lead to melanoma cancer. However, do not delay to check with your doctor if the itchy mole is bleeding, or changes shape from day to day.
So, what is the right treatment for itchy moles?
If the itchy mole is caused by the use of a chemical product, then you should stop using that product until the condition of the skin, especially the mole, has improved again.
However, when an itchy mole condition is caused by something more severe, for example due to cancer or other dangerous skin conditions, the doctor will recommend two procedures to get rid of the mole.
1. Surgical shave
This procedure is chosen if your mole is small. The doctor will give an anesthetic so that the area of the mole is numb, then then the part of the mole is removed using a small knife. This one procedure does not require stitches.
2. Surgical excision
Unlike surgery, the doctor will remove the mole by cutting it in a surgical excision. Then the area where the mole is used is closed by sewing. The mole, which has been removed through surgical procedures and surgical excision, will then be examined in the laboratory to see if there are cancer-causing cells that live in it.
Although they may seem scary, most moles don't cause problems and don't need any particular treatment. However, it is important to immediately check for and treat any conditions of moles that are not normal. The reason is, the earlier it is checked, the sooner the treatment will be given.
Therefore, it is important to always be aware of any changes in moles, especially when they are painful and itchy at the same time.
