Has half or part of one of your moles suddenly fallen off and has bled?
Are you afraid this is melanoma?
“When half of a ‘mole’ suddenly falls off and bleeds, it usually is not a mole but a benign seborrheic keratosis that has caught on some undergarments,” says Dr. Janet Prystowsky, a board certified dermatologist in New York, NY, with 30+ years of experience.
A seborrheic keratosis is a skin barnacle and it is benign.
These skin growths typically begin appearing after age 40 and will NOT turn into melanoma.
However, keep in mind that these harmless barnacles may look very much like a mole — especially if it’s in a difficult-to-inspect location such as your butt or back, not enabling you to get a close view.
Seborrheic keratoses mixed with moles. Shutterstock/NICKY1841
They may even resemble melanoma and can suddenly change in their appearance.
For example, they may get noticeably lighter in a matter of only days.
This is harmless as long as what you see changing is only the seborrheic keratosis.
However, if you notice that a diagnosed seborrheic keratosis is changing in appearance or especially bleeding, have it checked by a dermatologist because, by sheer coincidence, it is possible for a melanoma to start up on the same skin surface area as this harmless barnacle.
Keep in mind that a seborrheic keratosis does NOT cause or trigger the melanoma that by chance just happened to arise within it.
The presence of these skin barnacles does not prevent melanoma from taking over the space.
Another situation that may appear as part or half of a mole tearing off and then some bleeding, is that of the common skin tag.
“Sometimes a benign skin tag will twist on its stalk and may completely or partially fall off,” says Dr. Prystowsky.
“However, if a true mole (nevus) begins bleeding (whether or not part of it falls off), it could represent a melanoma — a serious and potentially fatal type of skin cancer.
“Other forms of skin cancer, such as a pigmented basal cell carcinoma, may bleed and resemble the appearance of melanoma.
“A professional opinion from a dermatologist should be sought for any growth that starts bleeding, especially if you have no recollection of it being traumatized.”
Areas to Check for Moles
Moles can turn up anywhere where there is skin.
When conducting self-exams of your skin, be sure to check the following areas: behind your ears, the earlobes, inside your ears, the eyelids, the lips, your belly button, between your fingers and toes, and the soles of your feet.
The skin of the genital area should also be checked.
