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Tiny mole scabbed off

monkeyfunky
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Hi everyone

I'm 17 and I went to get my mole(s) checked out after months of worrying by the GP.

One mole on my side is around 0.5/6mm and I've had it since I was a child and it's got a black dot in the middle where I think there's hair growing out? and around it the pigment is kind of white/pink but you can only see it if you look very closely. The rest of the mole is black/brown.

The GP was quite dismissive and asked me why I should be worried when I'm only 17 and said it looked fine.

I also found 2 new moles on my arm (which could've been there for a while but never realised) but recently one of them became a bit raised, scabbed and then fell off when I was changing clothes. The other mole was normal but is starting to scab too- this has happened within 2-3 weeks. They're both around 1mm wide. 

I did ask the GP if this was normal and they said yes.

I don't want to keep freaking myself out but I can't help but worry so does anyone have any advice? 

Can moles also be naturally non-symmetrical or can they be a big wiggly?

Thank you !

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    I meant the first mole was 5/6mm sorry

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    Hi,

    You are very young and it's not common for those under 20 to have problem moles but you were right to get it checked out.

    It is common for new moles to appear and old ones to disappear (fade or scab & disappear) when young. Moles you have had since birth or early years can naturally be an unusual shape - it's when an existing mole starts to become asymmetrical that it may be suspicious.

    Did the GP you saw use a dermascope to check your moles (a hand held microscope/camera)? If not, and you want a second opinion, ask your surgery if they have a GP that's trained in dermatology & the use of a dermascope. Having it checked with this instrument means they can see any unusual cell alteration in the mole - this may put your mind at rest.

    Otherwise, you may want to monitor your moles yourself - either by taking a photo once a month (with a ruler alongside so you can see if it's grown) or by using a skin check app (there are a few on the market. SkinVision is a good one). If any changes are picked up you should then ask for another GP check.

    Try not to fixate on your moles, a monthly check with your phone should help allay your fears but if anything changes go see a different GP at the surgery. Take care,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

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