What happens if you take a mole to the GP?

[WordsAreNoUseAtAll]

Well, obviously it goes with you wherever you go (I mean a skin mole, not the animal, obv)

I have a mole on my back. It has been there forever - my mum has one in the exact same place - just above the bra strap, slightly to one side. It is big - about 5mm square, and unsightly.

Anyhow, it has gone darker and started hurting a bit.

I am really really nervous about doctors for long and convoluted reasons, but I know I have to go, so it would help to know what I am letting myself in for then I don't panic. So... Will they just chop it off? Will there be a needle? Will they have to poke it a lot? Will there just be a cream? Will I have to sit still for ages? Will I have to go to a day clinic or something to get it removed? Will it even get removed?

I should add, it is making me feel sick even thinking about the thing - I can't bear to touch it myself. (I do feel the same about my section scar and parts of my feet as well as my knees though - it is hardly a unique part of my body on that count)

Referral to dermatologist at a hospital nearby. They won't remove moles for cosmetic reasons so make sure you emphasise the fact that it's changed and/or itching.

Sorry, didn't read your post properly first time!

They won't do anything to it at the GP office so if you have anxiety issues then mention that at the appointment because they may well want to shave it off to check it when you go to the hospital. That involves a local anaesthetic (needle) and a scalpel (I think?) but at least it's on your back so you won't have to watch!

It has been itching for a while, is now hurting a bit normally and sharply if I lean against a hard wall and has changed from the normal orangy brown (I am very pale) to a dark brown, almost black. It is also a bit crusty (urgh)

It has been like this for a month or so.

You really need to get it checked then! Honestly, don't worry about the GP appointment, s/he will take a look and refer you on to a dermatologist.

I've had one shaved off by a dermatologist (at least I think that's what he was). It was very straightforward, nothing to worry about.

This happened to me, except what I thought was a mole turned out to be a skin tag! It had always looked like a mole, and I noticed that it had gone black, and I was really worried, but then it popped, bled, and disappeared! Could this be a posibility for you?

hmm it really does need looking at.

i would imagine, given what you've said about how it has changed, the pain and the crustiness that they WILL want to remove it.

my dad had this done recently, he had to go to local hospital where they cut it out. I think he just had a local anaesthetic as he was ok to drive himself home.
it was uncomfortable but not for too long. you just have to be careful not to stretch and pull at it.
they will probably want to check you over for other unusual moles etc too.
in my dad's case it was cancerous, but they removed it all, and then decided to take another 2 just in case, but he's absolutely fine now

it will be ok, i promise. please try not to panic but do get it seen to

It's really sounds like it needs checked out. I had a similar experience earlier this year - went to the GP, and she was able to make an appointment for the next week and removed it for me (local anaesthetic, cut it off, half a dozen stitches). Mole sent off to lab - was just a mole, nothing more.

At the first appointment, she just looked at it, poked it a little to see it clearly then agreed that it was best to remove it. Best of luck.

In answer to your title - it may run away so put it in a cage, but tbh you would be best with a vet.

I went and was reffered to clinic.

I am very, very anxious - I got kept in mentalhospital in summer for four days longer than I had to because I kept panicking when I saw the blood test needle and running away. I am on a year long waiting list for sedation to fix my teeth (which are LITERALLY falling apart due to some fairly brutal medication that I used to be on) because I panic whenever I get near a dentist.

Working on womaning up about the whole medical thing, but while I am working on it, this mole needs sorting.

tried hypnosis?

will someone take you? your mum? partner?

Our Gp is quite careful with them. He gets out his eyeglass, and looks at it carefully. He'll then either refer you if he has any doubts, occasionally take a tracing of it and ask you to come back in a short time to see if it's changed. or tell you it's fine.

In my case I was referred to the dermatology clinic at the hospital, where I saw the consultant dermatologist. As there was nothing wrong with said mole, nothing was done about it.

My DH, on the other hand, had his cut out by the GP. Same doctor's practice.

thanks for posting this OP i have been putting off a visit to the GP to have 3 moles checked for a few weeks now. the main reason being is that one of them is in my crotch area but the other day the one on my shoulder had this dark brown crust on it so i can't put this off any more.

does anyone know if i can ask to see the female GP that belongs to the other practice? (but is in the same building as my GP)

I had one in exactly the same place, and took it to the GP. GP had close look, said it was benign but clearly in a tricky place as likely to get irritated by bra strap from time to time - so made separate appointment to have removed.

They are very unlikely to offer to remove anything on the spot, IME, as there isn't time in a normal appointment slot. But when he did remove it, it really really really didn't hurt - I didn't feel a thing! And I am a major pain-wuss (think general anaesthetic for anything remotely yuck, type wuss).

If your GP is worried about it, he will refer you to Someone More Experienced (dermatologist, most likely) at which point come back here and ask MNers for more experiences

But hopefully, you will just get reassured - good luck!

Just to add that if the GP wants to remove it, as some actually still do I believe (though far more likely you'll be given a derm referral) then say no - let a qualified specialist dermatologist remove it.
There are ifferent methods and if it did turn out to be nasty, the depth of malignant cells is critical in determining treatment and prognosis so a shave biopsy is not acceptable these days.

They need to go deeper than that. (sorry!)

I understand something of your panic and wish you all the best getting it seen to, and your poorly teeth. Remember you won't be able to see what they're doing, anyway...if that helps at all. And it is unlikely to be as bad as you think it will xxx

Booy, you should be able to see whoever you choose I think - nothing to lose by asking to see a same sex GP, they probably get asked this all the time.

Good luck.

ah if it's not the same practice then maybe not...worth asking though.

I had a mole like this and it had only changed and became dark and crusty as it was rubbing on my waist band. Could yours be catching on your bra strap?

It was literally just "picked off"!

Like Milliways, I had one on my wasit band - round the back. Dont' remember knocking the top off it by scratching or anything but it did flare up one day.

GP referred me to hospital. It was slightly alarming that when dictating the letter, she asked for an urgent referral, but after finishing the letter did explain that they always say urgent.

Hospital appt was a breeze. I am complete girly wuss too with needles etc and barely felt a thing. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you took someone with you to hold you hand (literally if need be). In the unlikely event it is a v. dodgy mole, you're in the right place to get it sorted quickly.

Good luck.

Waist band, not wasit!