What is this mole?

Daringbird · 2026-06-11T14:37:57+00:00

Hi, I have had this mole on my shoulder for a few years and had it checked but recently it has got a scab and looks crusty so I'm wondering if anyone knows what it could be or if anyone has or got anything similar? I am very worried and seeing a dermatologist soon for another issue on my thumbnail that appears to have a brown line under the nail. Thankyou for any help in advance

IwanttoWFH · 11/06/2026 15:54

Go to your GP and get it checked. They will likely refer you to a dermatologist.
I had a red spot/mole that suddenly appeared two years ago. The GP suspected it was pre-cancerous and prescribed a cream, which didn’t work. I was then referred on the two week pathway for suspected BCC. When I (eventually) got seen by the dermatologist, she suspected it was a mole and said I had two options 1) monitor it 2) have it removed and tested. I opted for option two. I had it removed four weeks ago and I’m waiting for the results. It would bleed and scab and then settle down to almost nothing. I didn’t want to leave it as, even if it was a mole, it shouldn’t bleed or scab

Original poster

Daringbird · 11/06/2026 16:35

IwanttoWFH · 11/06/2026 15:54

Go to your GP and get it checked. They will likely refer you to a dermatologist.
I had a red spot/mole that suddenly appeared two years ago. The GP suspected it was pre-cancerous and prescribed a cream, which didn’t work. I was then referred on the two week pathway for suspected BCC. When I (eventually) got seen by the dermatologist, she suspected it was a mole and said I had two options 1) monitor it 2) have it removed and tested. I opted for option two. I had it removed four weeks ago and I’m waiting for the results. It would bleed and scab and then settle down to almost nothing. I didn’t want to leave it as, even if it was a mole, it shouldn’t bleed or scab

Thankyou for your reply I appreciate it.

I really hope your results come back good for you.
I am due to see a dermatologist Monday and feel sick from being scared do you think it looks like it's just been caught? X

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Original poster

Daringbird · 11/06/2026 16:37

I also have this mark under my thumbnail which I've originally been referred to the dermatologist for but will ask them to check that other mole I've showed you aswell x

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lljkk · 11/06/2026 16:40

sebborhic keratoses (sp?) get crusty & scab. Completely benign. They seem initially like moles, Grow, scab, bleed, scab, disappear.

Hope you get some reassurance soon, OP.

mindutopia · 11/06/2026 17:12

It’s difficult to say what the mole on your shoulder may be. The fact it’s been there for years is a positive sign. BUT the line on your fingernail is quite worrying for subungual melanoma.

The dermatologist will absolutely be interested in taking a biopsy of that, and because the crusty changes on the shoulder mole, together they may raise some concerns. If your nail isn’t taken seriously, 100% get a 2nd opinion. Are you under an NHS 2 week referral or is this a private dermatologist? I ask because unless you are flush with money I’d want this handled by the NHS and I’d request to be referred back onto the NHS if private.

(I have advanced melanoma, though a different sort so mine doesn’t look like anything you’ve posted, but there are lots of different types of melanoma and they don’t all look like classic moles).

Original poster

Daringbird · 11/06/2026 17:22

lljkk · 11/06/2026 16:40

sebborhic keratoses (sp?) get crusty & scab. Completely benign. They seem initially like moles, Grow, scab, bleed, scab, disappear.

Hope you get some reassurance soon, OP.

Aww thankyou so much really appreciate your reply, I hope all will be okay I just get so scared as I lost 3 relatives young to cancer and I saw it so it really makes me have severe anxiety x

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Original poster

Daringbird · 11/06/2026 17:24

mindutopia · 11/06/2026 17:12

It’s difficult to say what the mole on your shoulder may be. The fact it’s been there for years is a positive sign. BUT the line on your fingernail is quite worrying for subungual melanoma.

The dermatologist will absolutely be interested in taking a biopsy of that, and because the crusty changes on the shoulder mole, together they may raise some concerns. If your nail isn’t taken seriously, 100% get a 2nd opinion. Are you under an NHS 2 week referral or is this a private dermatologist? I ask because unless you are flush with money I’d want this handled by the NHS and I’d request to be referred back onto the NHS if private.

(I have advanced melanoma, though a different sort so mine doesn’t look like anything you’ve posted, but there are lots of different types of melanoma and they don’t all look like classic moles).

Edited

Yes I am due to be seen on Monday through the NHS, thankyou for your reply and I'm so sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis x

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Original poster

Daringbird · 11/06/2026 17:26

mindutopia · 11/06/2026 17:12

It’s difficult to say what the mole on your shoulder may be. The fact it’s been there for years is a positive sign. BUT the line on your fingernail is quite worrying for subungual melanoma.

The dermatologist will absolutely be interested in taking a biopsy of that, and because the crusty changes on the shoulder mole, together they may raise some concerns. If your nail isn’t taken seriously, 100% get a 2nd opinion. Are you under an NHS 2 week referral or is this a private dermatologist? I ask because unless you are flush with money I’d want this handled by the NHS and I’d request to be referred back onto the NHS if private.

(I have advanced melanoma, though a different sort so mine doesn’t look like anything you’ve posted, but there are lots of different types of melanoma and they don’t all look like classic moles).

Edited

I have also bitten my nails for years and also the like stops at my cuticle which is a more positive sign I've been reading lots about it and says it can be a number of things.

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Original poster

Daringbird · 11/06/2026 17:29

IwanttoWFH · 11/06/2026 15:54

Go to your GP and get it checked. They will likely refer you to a dermatologist.
I had a red spot/mole that suddenly appeared two years ago. The GP suspected it was pre-cancerous and prescribed a cream, which didn’t work. I was then referred on the two week pathway for suspected BCC. When I (eventually) got seen by the dermatologist, she suspected it was a mole and said I had two options 1) monitor it 2) have it removed and tested. I opted for option two. I had it removed four weeks ago and I’m waiting for the results. It would bleed and scab and then settle down to almost nothing. I didn’t want to leave it as, even if it was a mole, it shouldn’t bleed or scab

I've also googled imaged my thumbnail and it says like bleeding under the nail probably

OP posts:

lljkk · 14/06/2026 21:38

Please update us when you have diagnosis, OP. Hopefully all will be well. x

Original poster

Daringbird · 14/06/2026 23:15

lljkk · 14/06/2026 21:38

Please update us when you have diagnosis, OP. Hopefully all will be well. x

Thankyou so much I will do xx

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