Red Ring around Mole

[Chelle822]

Hi, I'm new here and hope that someone will be able to help me. My boyfriend is currently in school in Ireland and while taking a shower today, he told me that he noticed a redness around a lifelong mole on his leg. He said the redness was not there two days ago. He also said there is a little white bump on it, but he has no pain, itchiness, burning, etc. It is still small, hasn't changed shape, and is no more raised than it was before the redness (which is minimal). He says the mole itself has not changed color or texture. He wouldn't have known anything was different had he not seen it. He is going to schedule an appointment with a doctor, but in Ireland, it could be a while before he gets in to see someone. Does this seem like something to worry about? I appreciate any feedback you can provide. Thank you.

[Chelle822]

Thank you for your response. Yesterday he said that he thought the mole had a pimple in/under it because the white spot was gone and the bit of redness had gone away. Today he says that he mustn't have been viewing it in a good light because the white spot is still there and the redness is the same as it was on day one. He doesn't have any pain in the mole, but when he rubs his finger over it, it feels like a pimple. The only change to the mole itself as far as he can tell is this white dot. His paternal grandmother passed away from skin cancer, so he is especially concerned. He had looked at the mole just two days before he saw the redness, and it was completely fine. I keep telling myself that if this was something to be concerned about, it would not have changed so quickly, becoming red and developing this white spot almost overnight. That sounds more like a pimple to me, but I can't be certain. He has an appointment with his internist on Thursday but it seems like such a long time to wait, and worry.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
As the redness is around the mole and there is no color change in the mole,so there is not much to worry about.

If your boyfriend notices changes in the mole's/mark’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.Otherwise it should be left as such.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.