Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed — Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic & Laser

Mole Self-Check – When to Worry (ABCDE)

Last reviewed 1 July 2026 — Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed

A patient advice sheet — 8 practical points. Reviewed and updated by Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed, July 2026.

Last reviewed: July 2026

The advice

Check your skin once monthly in good light with two mirrors, and photograph moles with your phone to compare any change later.
Do not forget hidden sites: the scalp, behind the ears, the back, palms and soles, between the toes, and under the nails.
The ABCDE rule for a worrying mole: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, more than one Colour, Diameter above 6 mm — and most important, Evolving size, shape or colour.
The "ugly duckling" sign: a mole that looks clearly different from all your others deserves examination.
In darker skin, melanoma often appears in the least expected sites: the sole, the palm and under the nail — never neglect these areas.
A new brown or black line running along a nail (especially one nail, and widening) deserves prompt examination.
A sore or spot that does not heal within weeks, or a mole that itches or bleeds = get reviewed.
If you have many moles or a family history of skin cancer, a yearly clinic check is recommended.

My private clinic at Kuwait Hospital (Sabah Al-Salem) — direct assessment and a treatment plan built around your case.