Melanoma??

I have a mole that has been on my right hip as long as I can remember. It is about 5-6mm at it biggest section and has a very funny shape, like a arrowhead (kind of). Or maybe a vase turned side-ways -- anyways, It is flat and varying shades of medium brown. It has about 3 small spots of darker color at the border of the posterior side and last week I noticed it had a rough spot that started to bleed when I scratched it. now I have a scab that is 2mm wide though it didn't bleed much.
I have just moved to the Charlotte area and don't have a PCP yet but I do have insurance. What would you advise? I know if I had it removed it would have to be a punch because it is so big. I'm not entirely worried about the scar but it is on my hip just below where my pants band goes. Am I alarmed about nothing?
Any advise would be extremely helpful!! I had a good friend that is a NP in dermatology back in Wilmington,, but I know she would want to look at before deciding and that's a 4-hour drive.
Please help?!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This rough spot can be due to the friction with the belt area of trousers which caused scabbing when you scratched it. My suggestion is to keep an eye on it and wait for some time. If you notice changes in the mole's  color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it. You also should have it checked if it bleeds, oozes, itches, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.