What does a changing mole feel like with melanoma?

A mole linked with melanoma may itch, feel sore or tender, become crusty, ooze, or bleed after little or no injury. Some people notice a firm or raised area. Others feel nothing at all and see only a visual change, such as growth, uneven colour, an irregular outline, or a new dark area.

Most people with Melanoma notice changing mole, but sensation alone cannot identify the cause. Benign moles can also become irritated by clothing, shaving, scratching, or inflammation. A clinician may compare the spot with older photographs and examine it closely.

Arrange a skin examination if a mole is changing in size, shape, colour, surface, or sensation. Note when you first noticed the change, whether it is growing, and whether it has crusted or bled. Take a clear photograph beside a ruler for comparison, without delaying an appointment.

Do not pick, shave, burn, or apply home remedies to the mole. A clinician may use dermoscopy and decide whether monitoring or a biopsy is appropriate. Read more about [Melanoma](/conditions/melanoma/).

Seek prompt medical care for a mole that is rapidly changing, repeatedly bleeding, persistently crusted, ulcerated, or becoming painful. Arrange assessment sooner if the spot is under a nail, on the scalp, or in another area that is difficult to monitor. Urgent care is appropriate for bleeding that will not stop with steady pressure.

Ask whether the mole's pattern, border, colour, and surface need dermoscopic review; whether an earlier photograph would help; and what change should trigger a follow-up visit. Also ask how to protect the area while it is being assessed.