Moles do not normally bleed so a bleeding mole can be a sign of trouble. We’ll tell you what to do if you have a mole that bleeds, but first, let us reassure you. While bleeding can be a sign that a mole is cancerous, most moles are benign (non-cancerous), even if they do bleed. Cancer is not the only thing that can make a mole bleed, so if you have a mole that bleeds, don’t panic. You will need to get it looked at by a doctor, but don’t panic. The odds are on your side.
What Causes a Bleeding Mole?
Bleeding is one of the warning signs of malignancy, or a cancerous mole, but it’s important to know that there are other things that can cause moles to bleed. Other causes of bleeding are more common, in fact than malignancy.
Moles are small growths on the skin. Sometimes they are flat but sometimes they protrude a little bit. A mole that protrudes from the skin surrounding it can get caught on things, especially if the mole is found on certain areas of the body. For instance, a mole on the wrist may get caught on a watch. A mole on the waist may be rubbed by the waistband of clothing. A mole on the chin may be inadvertently scratched or nicked while shaving. This may cause irritation and bleeding. A scratched mole bleeding is generally not serious, but if the mole is frequently scratched or nicked so that it bleeds, you may want to have it removed.
Finally, it is important to realize that moles are not the only skin growths you might have. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a mole and a skin tag, wart, or another type of skin growth. Since moles typically do not bleed, if you have a skin growth that bleeds frequently, you may be dealing with something other than a mole.
What Should You Do if You Have a Bleeding Mole?
If you have a mole that bleeds, even if you think it’s just a scratched mole bleeding, we recommend seeing your doctor as soon as possible.
Cancerous moles are uncommon, but it is possible for bleeding to be a sign of melanoma or skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, melanoma is very treatable if caught early, so it’s important to get any potentially cancerous mole checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may take a biopsy of the mole, removing a small sample of the tissue to send to a lab for testing, or he or she may opt to simply remove the entire mole and then send it to the lab for testing. Talk to your doctor about your options.
As mentioned earlier, even if a mole is benign, if it frequently bleeds, you may wish to have it removed. Blood can stain clothing and a bleeding mole may be painful or sore. In addition, if the mole has been scratched or otherwise irritated, leading to a break in the skin, there is a risk of infection.
Another reason moles sometimes bleed is because people pick at them. If a mole bothers you, itches, or feels irritated, see your doctor. Don’t pick at it! Picking at a mole can cause bleeding and lead to infection.
Until you can see your doctor about a mole that bleeds, keep the area clean and dry. If it continues to bleed or if the area might get dirty, put a clean adhesive bandage over it. See your doctor if you develop any signs of infection, like redness, swelling, pain, or a fever.
Suggested Treatment for Removing Moles
To treat moles, we suggest an all-natural formula called H-Moles Formula. It contains natural ingredients like homeopathic remedies that remove moles, along with tea tree oil to help reduce the risk of infection and lavender essential oil to soothe irritated skin. It’s not meant to be applied to bleeding moles, though; if you have a mole that bleeds, wait until it’s healed before using any topical treatments, including H-Moles Formula, on it. Of course, if you have bleeding moles, you should have them checked out by a doctor before using any type of home remedy to treat them. For common, benign moles, however, H-Moles Formula is an affordable and effective way to remove moles at home, without a prescription from a doctor. Just follow the link to learn more about our preferred treatment for moles.
AAD: Moles