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Has anyone had moles that peel off?
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Has anyone had moles that peel off?

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Has anyone had moles that peel off?

  • Post
    • November 20, 2014 at 5:46 am
    DZnDef
    Participant

      I have loads of moles. No idea how many.  For the past few months many moles on my torso along the sides changed in texture.  Instead of feeling like the rest of my skin, they became rough and dry and almost scab-like.  While lying in bed, I absently scratched at one and it came off in my hand.  No pain, no blood.  Normal skin underneath.  A few others felt similar so I checked in the bathroom to make sure they were really moles and not something else.  Yup, those were my moles.  I peeled off four more the same way before I hit one that was a tad sensitive so I left the rest alone.

      I'm already Stage IV with lung mets so I'm not overly concerned about any of these being melanomas, just curious if anyone else has experienced something like this and what it might mean.  I don't see my oncologist again until January.  It's not the first time this has happened with my moles.  The first time I was a teenager (I'm 49 now).  Then it happened again about ten years ago.  And now this is the third time that I can remember.  Anyone have any insight?  Has this happened to anyone else?

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    • Replies
        • November 21, 2014 at 2:05 am
        Dark Knight
        Participant

          It is difficult to make a diagnosis over the internet but these sound like seborrheic keratosis. https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q—t/seborrheic-keratoses

          They can be easily mistaken for skin cancer or moles but are completely harmless. They can definitely be scratched off. They tend to get red and inflamed if irritated, which may be what's happening to the sensitive one.

          Althought they are harmless, if a lot are changing suddenly (without you scratching them) it might be a good idea to get checked out. It can sometimes be a sign of something else wrong, but this is unlikely. I'd say research about them and make your own decision.

          • November 21, 2014 at 2:05 am
          Dark Knight
          Participant

            It is difficult to make a diagnosis over the internet but these sound like seborrheic keratosis. https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q—t/seborrheic-keratoses

            They can be easily mistaken for skin cancer or moles but are completely harmless. They can definitely be scratched off. They tend to get red and inflamed if irritated, which may be what's happening to the sensitive one.

            Althought they are harmless, if a lot are changing suddenly (without you scratching them) it might be a good idea to get checked out. It can sometimes be a sign of something else wrong, but this is unlikely. I'd say research about them and make your own decision.

            • November 21, 2014 at 2:05 am
            Dark Knight
            Participant

              It is difficult to make a diagnosis over the internet but these sound like seborrheic keratosis. https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q—t/seborrheic-keratoses

              They can be easily mistaken for skin cancer or moles but are completely harmless. They can definitely be scratched off. They tend to get red and inflamed if irritated, which may be what's happening to the sensitive one.

              Althought they are harmless, if a lot are changing suddenly (without you scratching them) it might be a good idea to get checked out. It can sometimes be a sign of something else wrong, but this is unlikely. I'd say research about them and make your own decision.

                • November 21, 2014 at 5:34 am
                DZnDef
                Participant

                  Thanks Anonymous!!  That information looks pretty solid.  Funny how my dermatologists never commented on them.  I'll specifically ask next time.  I could have sworn they were moles but seborrheic keratosis looks to be more likely.  Never heard of it before.  Thanks so much!

                  • November 21, 2014 at 5:34 am
                  DZnDef
                  Participant

                    Thanks Anonymous!!  That information looks pretty solid.  Funny how my dermatologists never commented on them.  I'll specifically ask next time.  I could have sworn they were moles but seborrheic keratosis looks to be more likely.  Never heard of it before.  Thanks so much!

                    • November 21, 2014 at 5:34 am
                    DZnDef
                    Participant

                      Thanks Anonymous!!  That information looks pretty solid.  Funny how my dermatologists never commented on them.  I'll specifically ask next time.  I could have sworn they were moles but seborrheic keratosis looks to be more likely.  Never heard of it before.  Thanks so much!

                      • July 13, 2017 at 6:38 am
                      snowkitten
                      Participant

                        I do, my dr has no idea of what it is or why it happens. I took photos before during and after both times. When I was a teen I had a mole that once a year hardened up and fell off and comeback it was so weird but it hasn't happened since I was 20 when I got pregnant.

                      • July 13, 2017 at 9:38 am
                      Jeff_in_FL
                      Participant

                        Yes. I have one on the back of my left hand that grows, hardens/dries, and eventually falls off. Then the process starts all over again. Dermatologist doesn't comment on it, so I'm not worried about it.

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