How To Examine A Mole Video

Self-examining your moles is very important to your health. Learn what to look for in this video.

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Look for color variations
Look for irregularities & changes
If there are changes in moles see a dermatologist

About this Author

Lisa Rhodes, M.D. received her medical degree from the University of Texas Health and Science Center in San Antonio, where she graduated valedictorian. She completed her dermatology residency at North Western University in Chicago and currently works in Austin, Texas. Her favorite part of her job is diagnosing skin conditions and treating them in order to help patients live better lives.

DR. LISA RHODES: Hi, I'm Dr. Lisa Rhodes with Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. It is important when you're doing your monthly self-skin checks that you look at each of your moles closely to examine them for risk for melanoma. The ABCDE's of melanoma help make it easier to look at each of your moles. Look for A, which means asymmetry or one half of the mole doesn't look like the other half. B stands for border. Look for irregular borders or smudged borders on the edge. C is color. So look for color variation. You want a mole of a nice, even color. You don't want a bunch of different colors in one mole. D is diameter. Anything bigger than the end of a pencil eraser deserves an extra close look. And E stands for elevation or evolution. Elevation is where you're having a mole that has different contours which is raised in one area and flat in the other. Or evolution where change, if you notice the mole changing. If you have any of these worrisome signs in any of your moles, please have them looked up by your physician.

How to Examine a Mole Video

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