ASTROMEDICS Health Library · Updated 28 October 2026
General patient education, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. A qualified clinician should assess your symptoms and advise you.
Notice changes, not just size
A change in a mole or a persistent unusual mark deserves attention. Looking for change is useful, but photographs and online symptom lists cannot establish whether a lesion is harmless.
A new mole or a mole that changes shape, colour or size should be checked. Some melanomas can be small, so size alone cannot rule out a problem.
A mole that becomes painful, itchy, bleeding or crusty, or an unusual mark that persists, also deserves assessment.
Arrange an assessment
Changes can occur on the palms, soles or under a nail as well as on sun-exposed skin. A photograph may help document change but cannot diagnose the cause.
Preparing for the next step
Check areas you do not easily see, including your back, palms, soles and nails, with help if needed. Note when a mark first appeared and how it has changed. Do not remove or repeatedly treat an unexplained lesion at home instead of getting it assessed.
Questions for your consultation
- Does this skin change need a specialist assessment or a biopsy?
- How should I monitor my skin after this visit?