What should you know about new moles on skin?

A mole, also called a melanocytic naevus, develops when pigment cells gather in one area. It may be flat or raised and can range from light brown to very dark. New moles can occur as the skin changes with age, hormones, or ultraviolet exposure.

Look for the pattern of change rather than relying on colour alone. An irregular border, asymmetry, multiple colours, a firm or nodular surface, bleeding, or a sore that does not settle warrants assessment. A clinician may need to examine the spot directly to distinguish a harmless mole from another skin lesion.

Record the date you first noticed the mole and photograph it in focus, including a close view and a wider view showing its location. Compare it with nearby moles, and use sun protection whenever outdoors. Keep the skin moisturised if friction makes the area uncomfortable.

Make a non-urgent dermatology appointment if the mole is new and unfamiliar, especially when you cannot monitor it easily. Never use a household product or attempt to shave it away; a partial removal can leave uncertainty about the lesion.

Seek prompt care for a mole that enlarges, changes outline or colour, bleeds, crusts, becomes persistently itchy, or feels painful without a clear cause. A new spot under a nail, on a palm, or on the sole also merits direct review if it looks different from surrounding marks.

Ask whether the lesion has reassuring features, whether dermoscopy or follow-up photographs would help, and what changes should trigger an earlier visit. If it is removed, ask how the wound will heal and whether the tissue goes to pathology.