Mole bleeds - how dangerous is it?

introduction

Mole, birthmark or technical language Nevus - each of us has some. Some have been present since birth, many others will be added in the course of life. Very few of them are really dangerous. Conversely, about a third of all black skin cancer cases (malignant melanoma) on the basis of a normal mole.
The lighter the skin type and the more acquired moles a person has, the higher the risk of developing black skin cancer. Other significant risk factors are skin cancer more often in the family and severe sunburn, especially in childhood and adolescence.

We now take the following scenario: a mole is bleeding. What now?

The bleeding of a mole is primarily to be assessed as harmless, because injuries can easily occur in areas that are often shaved.
In rare cases, spontaneous bleeding of a mole may occur or if the mole bleeds more frequently, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the possible presence of a malignant tumor.

root cause

blood is always one for humans Warning sign. But if you have a bleeding mole, you cannot always assume the worst. It is important how the bleeding started and whether the said mole has been around in the past changed Has.

It can happen that raised moles in regions like face, Armpits, legs or Intimate area in the shave get hurt and bleed. In part, the bleeding may be due to the good vascular supply also turn out shockingly strong.
Here, however, it is important to remain calm, to wait until the bleeding has stopped and only make the cut with one band Aid to supply. Usually such injuries are harmless.
However, if the mole is in a location where it is subject to regular injury, it should have one distance to be thought about. This also applies to liver spots Bra lines or other places with claimed skinwhere bleeding may be more common.

But now a mole begins suddenly bleeding and accidental injury can be excluded. In such a situation you should definitely look at the mole in question look more precisely. Is it a relatively new skin appearance or has the stain always been there?
If there is a old mole is, he may have been lately changed? Relevant changes are above all Increase in size or Darkening / blackening.
Another symptom that may indicate a malignant degeneration of the mole is itching or pain.
Any sudden bleeding mole that is new, changed, or scratched due to itching is in need of clarification. An introduction to the family doctor or dermatologist (Dermatologist) is recommended.

Mole bleeds after shaving

If you run your finger over a mole, you usually feel a slightly waxy surface that stands out from the rest of the skin level. When shaving the skin, it can therefore happen that the mole is easily scratched or cut. Blurred razor blades that have been used multiple times pose an increased risk of injury. In most cases, such an injury occurs out of carelessness, as the mole is overlooked if it is not in a clearly visible area of ​​skin.

In rarer cases, a birthmark or mole can also have an increased tendency to bleed under mechanical loads such as shaving if it shows malignant changes. Melanomas, basaliomas or spinaliomas, all of which are tumors of the skin, cannot always be clearly distinguished from benign moles and are often very sensitive to shaving. They usually bleed faster than a benign mole because they have more vessels running through them than benign moles. However, a malicious change is less common.

In the event of an injured mole, it should be rinsed off with clean water and, if necessary, covered with a plaster. However, it can also be allowed to heal in the air. There is no cause for concern. After a few days, the small wound heals very well on its own. If there is severe swelling, redness, pain or even fever, it may be an infection of the skin tissue. In this case, a doctor must be consulted, as this may have to be treated with antibiotics.

after scratching - what to do?

Moles are not a major problem for many people. However, if you bother with the raised patches of skin and scratch them, it can lead to bleeding. Moles can also be itchy and therefore scratched. Often tight shoes or tight-fitting clothing also rub the mole and scratch it.
First of all, there is nothing to worry about. The mole should be washed off with clean water. However, you should refrain from any manipulation in the form of ointments, creams, bandages or the like. It is best to show the mole to a dermatologist as soon as possible in order to rule out a malicious change.

Can it be skin cancer?

The incidence of skin cancer in society is increasing due to various factors such as sun exposure or genetic predisposition. Often many types of skin cancer can be treated and cured very well in the early stages. Therefore, early detection measures such as skin cancer screening are particularly important.

Skin cancer, such as malignant melanoma or spinalioma, can sometimes resemble ordinary liver spots and does not always cause clear symptoms. However, one possible symptom is an increased tendency of the skin cancer to bleed superficially. Such changes in the skin can tend to bleed, especially with light mechanical stress, such as contact with textiles, shear movements of the skin or light scratching. In this case, the bleeding is usually not a one-off event, but occurs more frequently. Itching, pain or typical changes in the shape, color or surface of the mole may also occur.

Here it goes to Skin cancer - early detection and treatment

How can I tell if it's dangerous for myself?

It is not always easy to tell whether a mole is benign or malignant. For dermatologists, it is often necessary to assess the progression of the mole over a certain period of time in order to be able to detect malignant changes. The appearance of the mole cannot always be clearly assessed, so in many cases moles are removed as a precaution even if the diagnosis is unclear.

But how can you tell for yourself whether a bleeding mole is dangerous or not? Frequent bleeding, which occurs even with the slightest mechanical irritation of the mole, is suspect. For example, just putting on clothes, abrasive sweaters, taking a shower in the morning, or just scratching it lightly can be enough to cause bleeding. Furthermore, itching or pain at the mole is more likely to be a malignant cause.

The ABCDE rules are a good scheme for assessing moles. These can be used to assess whether a mole could be malignant. The following is a brief guide to self-assessment of a mole using the ABCDE rules:

  • A = asymmetry (e.g. misshapen, not oval / not round mole)
  • B = delimitation (e.g. blurred mole with extensions / protrusions)
  • C = Color (e.g. different levels of pigmentation / several colors in one spot / unusual color e.g. gray)
  • D = diameter (over 5mm)
  • E = elevation or development (raised significantly above the skin level with an irregular surface / changes in a short time

Also read: Mole and skin cancer

Itching as an accompanying symptom

Moles can also be itchy every now and then, creating an incentive to scratch them. As a result, slight, superficial bleeding may occur. At first glance, this need not be a cause for concern. The itching does not necessarily have to be related to a malignant skin disease, as is often claimed. However, it can also be a symptom of skin cancer. As a prophylactic measure, it is therefore advisable to show itchy and bleeding moles to a dermatologist so that they can make an assessment. The mole is then often observed at regular intervals to assess its course.

In other cases, if the status is unclear or a malignant disease is suspected, a mole is removed and the tissue is examined under the microscope. Additional suspicious changes in the appearance of the mole (see ABCDE rules) substantiate the suspicion. A visit to the doctor should not be delayed. Skin cancer can be treated very well in the early stages, whereas in an advanced stage and the spread of the cancer there are often no longer any good therapeutic options.

diagnosis

Liver spots can be assessed according to the ABCD rule

An objective scheme for assessing moles is the ABCD rule. It is used for both Initial assessment as well as during the Checkups used. Even as a layperson, you can roughly act on it if you are unsure.
However, a doctor should still be recommended in the event of suspicious bleeding always sought out become. The more criteria are met, the more suspicious the mole is.

A - asymmetry: Normal moles are inconspicuous regularly round or oval and symmetrical. Asymmetries are suspect.

B - limitation: The edge of the mole should smooth and sharply defined frayed edges or runners are an indication of degeneracy.

C - Color or color: The color is sometimes the most important criterion, as changes in the mole are best noticeable over time. Are suspicious black to bluish, gray or reddish spots or several colors next to each other. A mole shouldn't fade either.

D - diameter: Each spot with a diameter about 5mm should be watched, as should spreading moles.

Meanwhile there was also a E for sublimity or development added. Sublimity, so whether the stain palpable is is also a criterion. As already mentioned, the development of the mole with any changes is also very important.
The mole is examined by the dermatologist with a so-called dermatoscope, a Magnifying glass with light source. This allows the criteria to be assessed particularly well.

If the stain is now found to be conspicuous according to the ABCD rule, it is cut out as a whole and examined microscopically. Malignant changes are detected at the cellular level and secure the diagnosis.

Other benign changes occur especially in old age, such as the Seborrheic wart, on which at first glance a black one Skin cancer can resemble.

therapy

When benign moles is no therapy necessary. A removal is even partially covered by the health insurance companies if the stain is on one disturbing or stressed point sits. However, cosmetic procedures are not paid.

Confirmed the microscopic examination a suspicious mole after removal, the presence of a black one Skin cancer, the progress of the disease must be clarified. This includes the removal of associated Lymph nodes and looking for Daughter ulcers (Metastases) using imaging.

It is in the early stages Removal of the melanoma usually sufficient as therapy and the prognosis is good. In advanced stages with metastasis there is one chemotherapy necessary and the prognosis decreases depending on the location of the metastases.

Prevention

Sufficient sunscreen should be used in summer, especially for very light skin types

In order to notice suspicious skin changes at an early stage, it is recommended from 35 years of age regularly (every two years) to take part in the preventive medical check-up. Thereby all moles on the body will be after ABCD rule judged. Changes that occur can best be tracked down and rolled into one temporal connection to be watched.

Avoidance of Sunburns Recommended by applying sunscreen or staying in the shade to reduce the risk.