New mole question
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New mole question

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › New mole question

  • Post
    • October 13, 2012 at 12:44 pm
    beth0277
    Participant

      Good morning all. I am 27 years old and go to the dermatologist religiously. I have intense skin fears. I know it is normal to get new moles up until around age 35. I have what started out looking like an ingrown hair spot in my bikini area. I squeezed at it and nothing happened and it persisted so I assumed it was a mole developing. This was about 6 months ago.

      Good morning all. I am 27 years old and go to the dermatologist religiously. I have intense skin fears. I know it is normal to get new moles up until around age 35. I have what started out looking like an ingrown hair spot in my bikini area. I squeezed at it and nothing happened and it persisted so I assumed it was a mole developing. This was about 6 months ago. I will be honest that I haven't really shaved that area much lately to see the spot, but when I shaved a few days ago, I noticed the "mole" is very noticeable now and about 3 times the size of the little speck that I first noticed. It looks completely normal, and is still quite small. The color, shape, borders, everything looks perfect. I just am not sure for new moles that come in, do they start small and get a little bigger within a span of a few months and then stay that size or do they usually pop up spontaneously the size they are going to be? One other factor is that I started birth control in July and I know it can have an effect on moles. I developed several new moles when I was pregnant but I don't remember if they grew to the size they are now or just popped up the larger size they are now. I have another appointment for a full body check in 3 months but if this seems concerning I will go in sooner. The only difference between this and some of my other newer moles is that it is a bit lighter. It seems like most of my new moles have come in darker but this looks more like my older moles.

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 13, 2012 at 12:46 pm
        beth0277
        Participant

          I should add that I recently had a moderately atypical mole removed on my shoulder. This has increased my fears. The area of this new mole is out of where it would have been effected by sunlight, but I know that you can get melanoma where you don't have sun exposure.

          • October 13, 2012 at 12:46 pm
          beth0277
          Participant

            I should add that I recently had a moderately atypical mole removed on my shoulder. This has increased my fears. The area of this new mole is out of where it would have been effected by sunlight, but I know that you can get melanoma where you don't have sun exposure.

            • October 13, 2012 at 12:46 pm
            beth0277
            Participant

              I should add that I recently had a moderately atypical mole removed on my shoulder. This has increased my fears. The area of this new mole is out of where it would have been effected by sunlight, but I know that you can get melanoma where you don't have sun exposure.

              • October 13, 2012 at 1:08 pm
              Janner
              Participant

                According to a doctor who runs a mole mapping clinic (photographs atypical moles to watch for change):

                "New and like all your other moles is fine.  New and different from everything else (ugly duckling) should be checked out."

                It sounds like this mole is just a basic mole.  Yes, they can get bigger.  But as long as this one isn't out of the norm for your other moles, I would think it is just fine.  However, we can only give generalized info here.  If this is something you're worried about, please see your doctor.

                  • October 13, 2012 at 1:13 pm
                  beth0277
                  Participant

                    I guess maybe I just don't understand the normal growth pattern of a mole. This started as a speck and stayed that way for a few months and then now (probably 3 months since I have really paid attenion) it is the size of a normal mole. It is still small, but I don't know if they are supposed to grow like that or if they come in at the size they are going to stay.

                    • October 13, 2012 at 1:29 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      Sounds normal to me.

                      • October 13, 2012 at 1:29 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Sounds normal to me.

                        • October 13, 2012 at 1:29 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Sounds normal to me.

                          • October 13, 2012 at 1:13 pm
                          beth0277
                          Participant

                            I guess maybe I just don't understand the normal growth pattern of a mole. This started as a speck and stayed that way for a few months and then now (probably 3 months since I have really paid attenion) it is the size of a normal mole. It is still small, but I don't know if they are supposed to grow like that or if they come in at the size they are going to stay.

                            • October 13, 2012 at 1:13 pm
                            beth0277
                            Participant

                              I guess maybe I just don't understand the normal growth pattern of a mole. This started as a speck and stayed that way for a few months and then now (probably 3 months since I have really paid attenion) it is the size of a normal mole. It is still small, but I don't know if they are supposed to grow like that or if they come in at the size they are going to stay.

                            • October 13, 2012 at 1:08 pm
                            Janner
                            Participant

                              According to a doctor who runs a mole mapping clinic (photographs atypical moles to watch for change):

                              "New and like all your other moles is fine.  New and different from everything else (ugly duckling) should be checked out."

                              It sounds like this mole is just a basic mole.  Yes, they can get bigger.  But as long as this one isn't out of the norm for your other moles, I would think it is just fine.  However, we can only give generalized info here.  If this is something you're worried about, please see your doctor.

                              • October 13, 2012 at 1:08 pm
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                According to a doctor who runs a mole mapping clinic (photographs atypical moles to watch for change):

                                "New and like all your other moles is fine.  New and different from everything else (ugly duckling) should be checked out."

                                It sounds like this mole is just a basic mole.  Yes, they can get bigger.  But as long as this one isn't out of the norm for your other moles, I would think it is just fine.  However, we can only give generalized info here.  If this is something you're worried about, please see your doctor.

                                • October 13, 2012 at 1:57 pm
                                MichaelFL
                                Participant

                                  Not trying to scare you further, but you will most likely get new moles way past 35. I am almost 50 and they are still showing up.

                                  • October 13, 2012 at 1:57 pm
                                  MichaelFL
                                  Participant

                                    Not trying to scare you further, but you will most likely get new moles way past 35. I am almost 50 and they are still showing up.

                                    • October 13, 2012 at 1:57 pm
                                    MichaelFL
                                    Participant

                                      Not trying to scare you further, but you will most likely get new moles way past 35. I am almost 50 and they are still showing up.

                                      • October 13, 2012 at 2:56 pm
                                      Tim–MRF
                                      Guest

                                        New moles start small and can grow, so that in itself is not an issue.  

                                        I am not a doctor, but my first impression is that it is probably nothing.  But you are clearly worried about it, so why not get it checked out?  I see no down side to having a dermatologist look at it.  At the very least you will be able to let go of your anxiety about it, and peace of mind is an important thing.

                                        Tim–MRF

                                        • October 13, 2012 at 2:56 pm
                                        Tim–MRF
                                        Guest

                                          New moles start small and can grow, so that in itself is not an issue.  

                                          I am not a doctor, but my first impression is that it is probably nothing.  But you are clearly worried about it, so why not get it checked out?  I see no down side to having a dermatologist look at it.  At the very least you will be able to let go of your anxiety about it, and peace of mind is an important thing.

                                          Tim–MRF

                                          • October 13, 2012 at 2:56 pm
                                          Tim–MRF
                                          Guest

                                            New moles start small and can grow, so that in itself is not an issue.  

                                            I am not a doctor, but my first impression is that it is probably nothing.  But you are clearly worried about it, so why not get it checked out?  I see no down side to having a dermatologist look at it.  At the very least you will be able to let go of your anxiety about it, and peace of mind is an important thing.

                                            Tim–MRF

                                            • October 14, 2012 at 1:01 pm
                                            beth0277
                                            Participant

                                              Thanks everyone. I guess I am just confused because I have had moles pop up before but I don't remember them starting small and then getting bigger. It is a completely normal looking mole, it just started as a speck and is now the size of maybe a marker dot. Still small and the color and everything is fine. I have a full body check in a few months and will have it looked at then, I just was unsure if I should make an earlier appointment for it.

                                              • October 14, 2012 at 1:01 pm
                                              beth0277
                                              Participant

                                                Thanks everyone. I guess I am just confused because I have had moles pop up before but I don't remember them starting small and then getting bigger. It is a completely normal looking mole, it just started as a speck and is now the size of maybe a marker dot. Still small and the color and everything is fine. I have a full body check in a few months and will have it looked at then, I just was unsure if I should make an earlier appointment for it.

                                                • October 14, 2012 at 1:01 pm
                                                beth0277
                                                Participant

                                                  Thanks everyone. I guess I am just confused because I have had moles pop up before but I don't remember them starting small and then getting bigger. It is a completely normal looking mole, it just started as a speck and is now the size of maybe a marker dot. Still small and the color and everything is fine. I have a full body check in a few months and will have it looked at then, I just was unsure if I should make an earlier appointment for it.

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