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Why is the mole red and what to do?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Why a mole turns red and what to do – this question interests many people, since such problems are not uncommon.
Basically, the skin around the mole or the mole itself turns red due to the transition to a malignant stage or some kind of injury.
Causes reddened mole
Trauma or damage can occur as a result of scratching, washing with a hard washcloth, or friction from tight clothing with rough seams. In addition to the above symptoms, bleeding may also occur.
The easiest places to damage a mole are on the chest, neck, and between the buttocks. Also, moles that are on areas of skin that are often shaved are often damaged - armpits, legs, bikini area for women, and the face for men.
A mole may become malignant if it has been exposed to radiation or ultraviolet light for a long time.
Among the reasons for the redness of a mole may be a sunburn. Although in this case the redness will be spread over the entire surface of the skin, in those areas that were exposed to the sun's rays.
Pain and redness of a mole may also be associated with hormonal changes if you are taking any hormonal medications or are pregnant.
Pathogenesis
The main reasons why moles appear and grow on the human body are ultraviolet radiation received from sun rays, as well as hereditary factors.
Moles can be either completely flat and not protruding on the skin, or slightly raised above it. A person can have them from birth, but they can also appear later, throughout life, although in most cases new nevi form before the age of 30. If moles on the body appeared after the age of 35, you should visit a dermatologist so that he can carefully examine them. This visit is especially worth making if you do not know why the mole turned red and what to do - all this can be a symptom of the appearance of a malignant formation on the skin.
Most likely, Mongolian spots, blue nevus and nevus Ota have the same pathogenesis - dermal melanocytosis of the mucous membrane and skin. By the age of 4, Mongolian spots in children disappear, but nevus Ota, even if it fades a little, continues to remain on the human body throughout life.
Current information indicates that there are only 3 cases of malignant melanomas occurring in nevus Ota and Ito. Cases of this formation occurring in melanosis bulbi (9 cases) and in heterotopic Mongolian spots have also been described.
Symptoms reddened mole
Although moles themselves are considered benign, if they become inflamed, this can be very dangerous - many onco-diseases originate from the completely harmless inflammation of nevi. In order for a mole to become malignant, it must transform into melanoma, which, in turn, is the first stage of skin cancer development. There are symptoms of the progression of the disease that can be detected even with the naked eye:
- The shade of the mole changes - it either becomes much brighter or, on the contrary, fades. Any of these signs indicate the beginning of the transformation of the mole into melanoma;
- The contours become blurred and look uneven;
- The mole becomes larger in size. The faster its size increases, the more dangerous the process of disorders and the development of the disease;
- A visible and rather bright redness forms around the nevus.
There are other signs that a mole has begun to transform into melanoma, but even the above symptoms of inflammation development will be enough to pay attention to them and immediately seek help from doctors.
The hanging mole turned red
As a result of various mechanical effects, hanging moles can undergo external changes. If it has changed its color, increased in size, or become inflamed, you need to pay attention to this. You also need to take seriously the appearance of the following symptoms:
- The mole started to bleed;
- In the area where the nevus is located, there is discomfort - itching or pain;
- The mole has become denser to the touch;
- It started to peel;
- The skin pattern disappeared from her.
If you observe any of these symptoms, you should immediately go to see a doctor - only a qualified specialist knows how to treat the disease and will be able, if necessary, to remove the mole without complications.
It is necessary to contact an oncologist who will conduct an examination and determine what further examination methods are needed. The doctor must find out why the mole became inflamed and began to turn red or grow in size.
After diagnosing a reddened hanging mole, it is decided how it will be removed and whether it is necessary at all. Removal is performed when there is pain in the area of the mole, and a malignant tumor or infection is suspected.
First signs
It should be understood that this small point on the skin can become the first step in the development of a dangerous disease. The appearance of pain in the location of the mole and its external changes indicate that some disorders have arisen.
Most people, when pain appears or a red mole is discovered, begin to treat it themselves or do not pay attention to it at all, not realizing that it can be life-threatening.
If you feel that a mole hurts, and at the same time among the first signs there are also changes in its color, contours, size, most likely, some problems have begun in the body. Symptoms of disorders are also:
- Subcutaneous lumps near a mole;
- The appearance of a border or halo around it;
- When pressed, liquid is released from it;
- The surface of the mole began to peel.
This situation is dangerous because the nevus does not hurt much or the pain is felt only from touching - therefore the first signs of the problem (the mole is swollen or reddened) may not be noticed if it is in an inaccessible place - on the back of the neck or on the back. In such a case, attention is paid only when severe regular pain appears - because of this, time is lost when the disease could have been noticed at an early stage and cured without complications.
Complications and consequences
Every person has moles, some have fewer, some have more. They can be of different colors and sizes and be located on any part of the body.
Interest in the removal procedure leads to questions about how the operation is performed, what its consequences may be, and whether complications will arise. This is not surprising, because sometimes it is very difficult to decide to undergo such an operation.
The consequences and complications of mole removal may be as follows:
- First of all, it should be remembered that after the removal of a mole, the place of its recent location must be looked after - constantly change the bandages and treat the area where the mole was with antiseptics. All this is necessary in order to avoid the possibility of infection.
- Complications are also considered to be scars and marks that remain at the site of the removed nevus. To avoid problems with them, use tightening ointments - they speed up the skin regeneration process.
- It also happens that pigment spots appear in the place where the mole was. In this case, the skin should be protected from direct sunlight.
The mole turned red and hurts
A wide variety of factors can trigger painful sensations.
As a result of cuts - damage from a blunt or sharp object, due to which a cut suture is formed in the nevus area. Under such circumstances, the mole will not only turn red, but also start to bleed, and it will be difficult to stop the bleeding on your own. To avoid infection, you need to wrap the damaged area and go to see a doctor.
Transformation of a mole from benign to malignant - in such cases, the mole changes its contours, becomes uneven, swells inside, changes color. In this case, pigmentation also often appears - it mainly occurs if a person spends a lot of time in the sun. This is due to the fact that ultraviolet light can change the composition of pigments.
If a mole turns red and hurts, it is quite possible that this is due to a hormonal imbalance - this happens to pregnant women, as hormones in the body change. Although such swellings are not uncommon, it would not be a bad idea to have an additional examination by a doctor - it will definitely not do any harm, and if it turns out that the cause of the disorder is some disease, it will be detected in a timely manner.
The mole became inflamed and reddened
If you notice changes in your mole, or if you see that it has started to become inflamed, do not try to deal with this phenomenon on your own - such behavior can lead to negative health consequences. After removing the first symptoms of irritation, you need to take a biopsy for analysis - this is necessary to identify the presence of any malignant formations in the mole. The transformation process may be at an intermediate stage, in determining which a biopsy will be necessary. In this case, cauterization of the mole will help as a treatment - with its help, you can avoid the development of a disease such as melanoma.
If the mole turns red and inflamed, and does not go away, but on the contrary grows (and when pressed, you feel a lump in it), you should not hesitate - this is a sign of early cancer. And on the skin, this disease, as is known, develops very quickly. So you should not be afraid of going to the doctor - otherwise, the problems will be much greater and more serious than the need to treat the mole or remove it surgically.
The mole is itchy and red
In cases where you have an itchy mole, you should go to the hospital to get examined and get an accurate diagnosis. If some moles make you worried, this may be a signal that there is some problem in the body that needs to be solved.
There are cases when birthmarks of a threatening appearance are completely safe, but a mole can be a sign of a serious illness. If you neglect the treatment of an itchy and reddened mole, you can earn the appearance of melanoma - a very dangerous disease, a precursor to skin cancer.
If your mole starts to itch, see a doctor to undergo modern diagnostics - a set of laboratory tests and a full clinical examination.
If doctors suspect the presence of cancer, you will undergo a histological analysis. This is done only after the mole has been removed by surgery.
Newly formed moles are always a cause for concern, even if they do not manifest themselves in any way and do not bother you. Try to visit an oncologist at least once a year to examine your skin and moles.
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The mole turned red and swollen
Moles can turn red and then swell for a variety of reasons. Among them, for example, mechanical damage - in this case, a protective reaction is triggered in the body, and blood begins to flow to the site of the damage. But sometimes it happens that a mole turns red and swells without any human intervention, and there are quite a few such factors.
Among the most common signs of abnormalities in a mole are the following symptoms:
- There are uneven edges around the mole;
- The shape became asymmetrical;
- The mole has changed its color;
- There has been an increase in size.
If you do not know why a mole has turned red and what to do, and at the same time you feel discomfort and pain, you should go to the doctor to identify the cause of the problem and begin its treatment. You cannot treat such inflammations on your own, because as a result, you can bring some infection to the problem area or damage it, causing the development of a malignant tumor.
By visiting a specialist who deals with such issues, you will be able to undergo a full and high-quality examination, after which you will receive correct and prompt treatment. There are several methods for treating problems with moles:
- Cauterization;
- Electric current;
- Laser mole removal;
- The so-called "Knife Radio".
The mole turned red and got bigger
If a mole turns red, you should immediately contact a medical specialist. This will eliminate the possibility of developing a disease that will lead to serious consequences for the body.
The doctor will conduct an examination, find out the medical history, learn about the family history, and then prescribe the necessary instrumental and laboratory tests.
If a mole turns red and gets bigger, it may be a symptom of its transformation into a malignant tumor. In this case, it grows quickly, becoming dense and changing its color - both to a lighter and to a darker one. To prevent the development of melanoma, you need to notice the first signs of its appearance in a timely manner:
- A large mole is not symmetrical;
- She developed jagged contours;
- The mole has changed its uniformity and color;
- The size has become larger;
- Growths appeared on it;
- The volume and structure of the mole has changed.
What causes moles to grow? Mostly, exposure to ultraviolet radiation or various injuries. Because of this, they begin to transform into a malignant element. They can also grow due to endocrine diseases or genetic predisposition.
Diagnostics reddened mole
In our lives, we don’t pay much attention to moles, considering them to be something completely harmless, and this is mostly true. Moles themselves consist of cells located in the deeper layers of the skin, so their redness can be a symptom of the development of inflammation or even skin cancer.
To determine the stage of development of the inflammation, doctors perform siascopy - a spectrophotometric subcutaneous analysis - it will allow diagnosing a reddened mole. When there is no serious danger, the mole is cauterized. But if some problem is detected, a surgical operation is performed using either a laser, or cryotherapy, or radio wave radiation, or electrocoagulation. Following the removal of the mole, a biopsy of the removed tissue is performed to find out whether they are malignant.
The operation takes place without much discomfort, and the wound left behind heals quickly.
People who are predisposed to melanoma, or who have many pigment spots on their skin, should be examined for changes twice a year – every 6 months.
Tests
After the examination, the doctor may refer the patient to other specialists if necessary. They will be able to establish the correct diagnosis after examining your reddened mole and studying the test results. Tests are necessary to clarify the diagnosis - they are needed if the patient is suspected of developing melanoma, for example. To confirm or refute this assumption, a histological analysis is carried out.
Having studied the data from the conducted studies, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment for the patient.
Histological examination of a mole is taking tissue for morphological analysis - it is examined under a microscope. Such examination is prescribed in case of suspicion of transformation of a mole into a malignant tumor.
If the analysis reveals malignant cells in the tissue, the patient will be sent for treatment immediately. In this case, it will most likely involve removing the mole. Some time after the operation, you will need to see a doctor again to make sure that no complications have arisen.
Instrumental diagnostics
The answer in this case is very simple - you need to see an oncologist or dermatologist. He will be able to conduct instrumental diagnostics and determine the cause of the disorder.
Diagnosis can be made based on the analysis of smears taken from the surface of the mole (this is often done in cases where its integrity is damaged or discharge is coming from it). The nature and composition of the cells of the sample taken is determined through a microscope. The downside of this method is that the mole is additionally injured - this can cause the development of a malignant process.
The fluorescent microscopy method is considered safer, because in this case the mole itself is simply examined under a microscope. A special oil is applied to its surface, which allows the composition of the nevus to be examined under a microscope.
Laboratory research methods (tumor markers are detected in the blood) and computed tomography are also used.
Although the final diagnosis is determined only after receiving the results of a histological analysis, it allows us to determine the nature of the origin of the mole, and therefore, to find out whether it is benign or has degenerated into a malignant one.
Differential diagnosis
Normal moles generally do not become atypical and do not transform into melanoma. The possibility of change should be suspected if the following symptoms occur - uneven contours, asymmetry of the mole, its enlargement and change in color. If you feel pain in the area of the formation, it began to itch, bleed or become inflamed, and also if you do not know why the mole turned red and what to do, you should consult a doctor for an examination.
Differential diagnostics of a reddened warty mole is performed with its acneiform variety, as well as intradermal nevocellular nevus and flat linear lichen.
An intradermal mole is located on the body and over time can turn into a warty mole - because of this, their diagnosis can only be carried out using special devices.
Lichen planus can be located linearly, but its main difference is that it has cyanotic papular parts. These parts are constantly itchy.
Acne-like moles, like warty ones, can appear on the skin from birth or in childhood. They differ in that they have warty growths on their surface, and there is no hyperkeratosis.
Who to contact?
Treatment reddened mole
In case of inflammation, calendula tincture, alcohol, and antibiotic ointment are best suited - they will serve as a disinfectant. In this case, the treatment of a reddened mole is as follows - apply calendula tincture or alcohol to a cotton swab and wipe the affected area with it. The treatment should be carried out until the redness completely disappears.
Antibiotic ointment (especially if it contains zinc or salicylic acid) will also be a good remedy. Or you can simply sprinkle the mole with streptocide.
You can relieve inflammation with linseed oil – you just need to smear it on the damaged mole. This oil contains components that promote tissue healing.
As a medicine, you can use celandine tincture - you need to soak a cotton pad in it and put a compress on the mole (keep it for 5-10 minutes). This procedure should be performed at least 3 times daily. This remedy relieves inflammation well.
What to do if a mole turns red?
If one of your moles starts to hurt and turns red, this may be evidence that you have damaged it. In this case, blood accumulates at the site of the injury and a hematoma is formed. Although redness may also occur due to the fact that tissue transformation has begun, which is also accompanied by redness and pain.
At the appointment, you will need to report what changes have occurred with the mole since the first symptoms appeared, as well as what it looked like before.
An experienced doctor will be able to find a solution to this problem - prescribe the necessary treatment - since this phenomenon can have a variety of causes, and it is not a fact that the mole will necessarily need to be removed. This will depend on the location of the nevus, as well as the cause of the inflammation.
What to do if a mole turns red? Obviously, a change in color means that there are some disorders in the body, so you should not ignore it. But self-medication is also unacceptable. It is best to contact a qualified specialist - this will save you from the occurrence of dangerous complications that can lead to serious consequences.
Medicines
Medicinal preparations are not used to remove moles. Inflammation can be relieved with ointments or disinfectants, such as alcohol or calendula tincture.
Folk remedies for reddened moles
You can use folk remedies - often in this case, the growth is burned out with an alcohol tincture or ointment. Among the most popular methods of removing nevi with folk remedies are:
- An ointment made from hemp oil. To prepare it, mix 1 piece of chalk with 4 pieces of hemp oil. The mole should be treated for about 7 days, 2-3 times a day.
- Removing a mole with garlic and lemon juice - in this case, both components are applied to it in turn, with a break of several seconds. This procedure should be carried out for a week 3 times a day.
- Folk treatment of a reddened mole can be carried out using the juice of unripe figs.
- And the most common method is celandine tincture, which is rubbed onto the nevus several times daily for 7 days. How quickly the mole disappears depends on its size.
Do not forget that folk remedies can be dangerous to health, because they can worsen the disorder and cause the mole to begin to transform into a malignant tumor. Another danger can be an allergy to the components in the product.
Herbal treatment
In dermatology, only the so-called BIO-T is used as a herbal treatment, and even then, it is used quite rarely. This collection consists of mineral salts, as well as medicinal plants and herbs. It is used in the process of removing various skin defects, including moles.
The procedure is performed as follows: the mole is treated with a solution from this collection, after which a bandage is applied to this place. Then BIO-T itself begins to act, gradually burning the mole from the skin. It usually disappears in about 5 days.
This method of treatment leaves almost no traces, so it can be used to remove nevi from the face.
This method can be used as a treatment, although its usefulness has not yet been definitively established - doctors continue to debate this topic. But your dermatologist may well suggest this treatment. If he or she has not mentioned this method, you can ask the question yourself and consult whether it would be appropriate to use such treatment. A qualified specialist will be able to assess all the risks, as well as how suitable the use of BIO-T is for you.
Homeopathy
Classical homeopathic doctors, practicing treatment of patients, are guided by the laws established by the founder of this direction in medicine, Hahnemann. Before starting treatment, a classical homeopath must carefully study all the features characteristic of his patient, and only after that can he prescribe the necessary homeopathic drug. Then he monitors the course of treatment, assessing the reaction to the drug and, if necessary, makes various adjustments to it.
You can use a very good homeopathic remedy - essential oil "Nevi No More". This method of treating moles is considered one of the most popular. This drug includes extracts of medicinal herbs and is able to rid you of simple moles without leaving scars. To avoid any side effects, you should use only organic products, because they can quickly and easily enter the bloodstream.
Another good homeopathic remedy that helps remove moles is Fluoricum acidum. It must be taken for several months. It is taken twice a month - one dose of 15 CH.
Thuja copes well with both moles and warts - it is often used in homeopathy. Thuja occidentalis 1000 is used as a medicine - this drug should be taken twice a week, 5-6 grains, on an empty stomach. The course lasts at least six months.
Surgical treatment
Removing a mole by surgical treatment is a rather lengthy process. It usually takes about 30-40 minutes, maximum 1 hour. The duration of the operation largely depends on the location of the mole and its size. The procedure for removing moles is as follows:
- The skin around the mole is treated with a special disinfectant solution;
- The patient is given an anesthetic to ensure that he does not feel any pain during the operation;
- The surgeon uses a scalpel to cut out the mole, scraping out malignant skin tissue from the incision;
- The wound with the hole left by the mole is treated with a solution to protect it from infection;
- A suture is placed at the site of the operation;
- The tissue cells and the mole are sent for histological analysis, and the patient is told how to care for the wound.
Basically, after removing a nevus, special care for the scar is not required. You will need to follow the following rules:
- Hide from the sun (especially in summer) the area of skin from which the mole was removed;
- Maintain hygiene of the area where the operation was performed;
- Try not to touch or pick at the wound, so as not to rip off the crust that will cover it. If the internal healing process is disrupted, a large scar may appear at the site of removal.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of melanoma, some preventive measures should be taken.
Even in cloudy weather, ultraviolet radiation will reach your skin, so keep this fact in mind.
As a preventative measure, you can also use sunscreen ointments, lotions and sprays – they protect the skin from getting sunburned, although doctors have not confirmed that they can prevent the formation of melanoma.
Try not to spend a lot of time in solariums either – WHO recommends that women under 28 years of age not use artificial tanning equipment at all. Such devices can provoke the development of skin cancer.
You need to carefully and constantly examine your body to see if old moles have changed or if new ones have appeared. If you notice something suspicious - moles have changed color, size, pattern - be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Pay attention to yourself, monitor the condition of moles on your body - and you will be able to prevent the development of the disease.
Forecast
Melanoma is considered the most dangerous form of cancer. In general, try to constantly monitor the condition of all your moles to detect symptoms of the disease at an early stage. Moles turn into cancerous diseases due to damage to the DNA of skin cells - as a result, genetic defects occur.
What can be the cause and symptom of the development of cancer:
- Constant sun exposure to common nevi, as well as severe sunburn;
- You have more than a hundred simple moles on your skin;
- Moles are distinguished by their large size or asymmetrical shape;
- Close relatives had skin cancer.
In determining the survival rate for skin cancer, the most appropriate criterion (called the "Breslow depth") is the thickness of the tumor that has appeared. It is calculated in centimeters. The prognosis for the disease will also depend on the so-called Clark level - how many layers of skin tissue have been affected by malignant cells.
For thin melanomas, the thickness of which does not exceed 1 cm, the cure rate is very high, but moles with a thicker structure do not give a very positive prognosis.