Moles are generally harmless and many people have them in various locations on their skin. However, changes in the appearance or texture of a mole can be a possible sign of skin cancer. Checking your moles regularly for changes can help lead to the early detection of skin cancer. If you observe changes in your moles, see a dermatologist who can remove suspicious moles and check for signs of cancer. At Alamo Heights Dermatology, Dr. Rebecca Kelso and Dr. Emily Fridlington are your dermatologists for mole removal in San Antonio.

Skin Cancer Warning Signs

Changes in the color, texture, size, or shape of existing moles can be early warning signs of skin cancer. Additionally, the development of new moles can also be an indication of the possible presence of cancer. Being familiar with the moles on your skin will make it easier to detect subtle changes. Features of moles that can indicate possible skin cancer include:

• The growth of new moles
• Changes to the size, color, or shape of a mole
• Changes to the texture of a mole
• Asymmetrical moles
• Multi-colored moles
• Tender or painful moles
• Moles that bleed or ooze
• Scaly or itchy patches on or around a mole

In addition to monitoring your own moles for changes, it is also helpful to see a dermatologist regularly for a skin cancer screening. A dermatologist can monitor your existing moles for changes and check for the development of new ones. Suspicious moles can be biopsied to check for skin cancer. Even if cancer is not present, your dermatologist for mole removal in San Antonio might still recommend removing certain moles, such as those most exposed to the sun regularly, to prevent them from developing skin cancer later.

When you know what to look for in your moles, you can keep yourself healthier by detecting possible warning signs of skin cancer early. Early detection makes it easier to successfully eradicate the cancer. You can also speak to a dermatologist about having certain moles removed to safeguard against developing skin cancer in those moles. For mole removal in San Antonio, TX, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kelso or Dr. Fridlington by contacting Alamo Heights Dermatology at (210) 255-8447.