When Should You Get a Mole Checked? Dermoscopy Explained
Moles are common, but knowing when to get one checked — and what dermoscopy can reveal — could save your life. Here's what to look for and what to expect from a skin examination in Dublin.
Many moles are harmless, but a new or changing mole can be a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. The NHS guidance on melanoma symptoms recommends seeing a GP for changes in size, shape or colour, or a mole that is painful, itchy, inflamed, bleeding or crusty. This article does not give an individual prognosis or replace an examination.
The ABCDE Rule: Know Your Moles
Dermatologists use the ABCDE rule to help identify potentially concerning moles:
- A — Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other
- B — Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred
- C — Colour: Uneven colouring — shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue within a single mole
- D — Diameter: Larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller
- E — Evolving: Any change in size, shape, colour, or the development of new symptoms (bleeding, itching, crusting)
If a mole shows any of these features, or if you simply feel uncertain about it, booking a dermatological review is the right decision. Don't wait — changes to moles should always be assessed promptly.
What Is Dermoscopy?
Dermoscopy (also called dermatoscopy) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that allows dermatologists to examine skin lesions in high magnification and detail. A handheld device called a dermoscope illuminates and magnifies the skin structure beneath the surface — revealing features invisible to the naked eye.
NICE guideline NG14, recommendation 1.3.1, recommends dermoscopy by trained healthcare professionals for pigmented lesions assessed in specialist care. The device helps assess a lesion, but suspicious findings may still require a biopsy; dermoscopy alone does not guarantee a diagnosis.
What Happens at a Mole Check Appointment?
A mole check usually begins with a full skin examination. You will be asked about any moles you are concerned about, your skin history, family history of skin cancer, and sun exposure habits.
Lesions of concern are examined closely, and where monitoring is recommended, photographic records are taken for comparison at future appointments. If a suspicious lesion is identified, the next step may include referral for biopsy or removal.
Who Should Get a Mole Check?
Discuss your need for a skin examination with a clinician, especially if you:
- Has a personal or family history of melanoma or skin cancer
- Has a large number of moles (more than 50)
- Has fair skin, light hair, or light eyes — particularly if they burn easily
- Has had significant sun exposure or used sunbeds regularly
- Has noticed any change in an existing mole
When in doubt, have the mole assessed. Our GP team at Elite Medical & Dental Clinic can review a mole you are worried about and arrange onward specialist referral where needed. Contact us at +353 85 102 4218 to book a GP appointment in Dublin.
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Elite Medical & Dental Clinic
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Medical information from Elite Medical & Dental Clinic, Smithfield, Dublin.
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