The average person is typically averse to hospital visits. So it is unsurprising that some people will choose to self-medicate rather than see a primary care doctor. Even though this may work for minor symptoms such as when you contract the common cold, you should know that some seemingly innocuous symptoms could be indicative of serious underlying conditions. And one such symptom is a mole. Certainly, moles come in a variety of shapes and sizes but this is the reason why it is always vital to have one checked out by a doctor so that you can make sure it is not a cause for concern. Keep reading for some signs that you should see a doctor for that mole. 

The mole has cropped up out of nowhere

Although you may not be familiar with what your entire body looks like, you should know enough to notice when something new comes about. Therefore, the moment you notice a mole that was never there before, it is imperative that you see a primary care doctor as soon as possible so that they can check it out. It is important to note that while you may think you can self-diagnose yourself by simply researching online, the reality is that you can be grossly incorrect since melanomas, which are cancerous moles, do not always present with typical symptoms. Hence, a trip to a GP will be necessary. 

The mole checks the ABCDEs

Although doctors will utilise different techniques to diagnose a mole, there is one method that most of these GPs use and that is the ABCDE rule. They will start with investigating the asymmetry of the mole, and this is followed by checking the border, the colour, the diameter and if it has evolved ever since you first noticed it. This ABCDE rule is particularly essential when diagnosing melanomas since cancerous moles can exhibit certain characteristics. For instance, while most moles will usually start as brown, melanomas can gradually change colour and appear red or blue with time whereas the non-cancerous variety will not change colour, On the other hand, a non-cancerous mole will not grow irrespective of its initial size whereas the diameter of melanomas will gradually widen. 

The mole is transforming  

Generally, non-cancerous moles will stay the same regardless of how long they have been on your body. Hence, you may choose to eliminate them for cosmetic reasons. Melanomas, conversely, tend to transform in a range of ways. Thus, these changes can vary vastly from one patient to the next. A few of the things to take note of include bleeding, sudden hair growth, hardening and so on. A primary care doctor not only needs to assess the mole but will also need to know the various ways that it has evolved.