Have unknowingly been scratching a mole and it started bleeding last night

[Anonymous]

I have a mole on my back. From what I can tell it was normal looking. I went to a derm a couple months ago for a different mole and she looked at all my other ones, including this one and said they were "fine". I did not like her because I felt completely rushed and didn't feel like she took a lot of time with me.

Now I am freaking out because of course everything you read on the internet says a bleeding itching mole is advanced melanoma. I am really vigilant about looking at my moles, but since this is on my back, and never get a good look at it. I have an appointment tomorrow morning (with a different dermatologist)

I am hoping this is a just a case where my back was dry and I was scratching and accidentally scratched it off. I have been scratching all over my back for a few months due to dry skin.

Anyone else experienced scratching off a mole? Did you get it checked out? Results? I am really scared about this and feel so stupid and upset that I haven't paid more attention to this mole on my back.

[Anonymous]

Relax, and step away from the internet.

I scratch moles sometimes when I itch and they occasionally end up bleeding.

It happens.

[Anonymous]

Was it red to begin with? It could be a cherry angioma, which are harmless (so I've been told by dermatologists).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_hemangioma

[Anonymous]

Trim your fingernails and leave your back alone so it will heal. It'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

for the next day or so, treat it like you would a regular cut (Neosporin, band aid, etc. when it heals, put lotion on it. it could very easily be (and is likely) just dry skin.

[Anonymous]

You have irritated your mole and it bled. As others said, treat it like any skin irritation (band aid, neosporin). And make sure you have sufficient moisture. Don't use harsh soap.

[Anonymous]

The dermatologist will be able to tell. I had a mole bleed - I remember thinking I should have it checked, then I forgot for a year. Also, a nurse a year earlier had commented on it and told me to get it checked. I forgot about that, too. So, turned out it was invasive melanoma. In hindsight, I always rubbed that area - not crazy itchy, but a bit of a tingly feeling that made me want to rub it. Anyway, I am rid of it all now - it will be okay - just get the experts to check it out. Given that you saw a dermatologist recently, it's probably not a melanoma. I have had another bump on my skin bleed and that was nothing. They will probably cut it out and have it checked just in case. Very small procedure. Try not to worry.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. I went to a different derm today and my experience was much better. She said the outer rim of the mole appeared normal so her first inclination is to think this is just a regular mole that accidentally got scratched off. However, because I had a dark scab in the center, she said to treat it with aquaphor and come back in a month to see how it looks. We can decide then whether to extract it. I thought that was a good plan. Hopefully its nothing.