Should I get a mole checked? What to do next

This page cannot tell you what a mark on your skin is, and no website can. It can tell you when official health advice says to get it looked at. If you are worried about a mole, book a doctor rather than reading more.

The NHS says moles are common and usually nothing to worry about unless they change size, shape or colour. It says to see a doctor if you have:

• a mole that has changed size, shape or colour
• a mole that is painful or itchy
• a mole that is inflamed, bleeding or crusty
• a new or unusual mark that has not gone away after a few weeks

The NHS also notes that new moles can appear, especially in children and teenagers, and that moles can get slightly darker during pregnancy.

Who should you see?

Start with a doctor or a licensed dermatologist (a doctor who specialises in skin). A beauty clinic is not the place for a mark that worries you. Check any clinic with our licence routine.

What can help at the visit?

• Note when you first saw the mark and what has changed.
• Take a clear photo in good light for your own record, if you like.
• Ask what they found, whether it needs checking again and when.

The exception

If a mark bleeds, grows quickly or you feel unwell, seek care promptly and do not wait for the next routine slot. A beauty treatment such as laser hair removal is not the answer to a changing mole. Tell any practitioner about moles in the area before treatment.

If you are unsure whether to worry, that is itself a good reason to ask a doctor.