White bumps on arms and white ring around moles on one shoulder

About maybe 4 years ago I had this mole on my right shoulder that started to have a white ring around it. After the years went on the white ring got whiter and the mole got a more reddish pinkish color. It used to be a mole that you could feel. But it's like it went back in my skin or it disappeared. Now its just a white dot on my skin. And it doesn't get darker when I get tan, it actually gets whiter. And now that it's just a white dot another mole on my right shoulder has a faint white ring around it and it will probably do the same thing that the other mole did. I have never gotten it checked out, but people always say that I should. I also have white bumps ALL OVER my arms in big splotches( sorry if thats not a word). Like a year or so ago I had just one little spot on my arm where the bumps were and they weren't white yet. There has been more and more bumps as time has went on and they have gotten whiter. The bumps don't itch. The bumps seem to go to other places on my arms when my arms are exposed to the sun, so that's why I think it's some sort of sun damage. I am wondering if it is possible that this stuff on my arms could eventually harm me in any way. I am worried about that. And do you think there is any way I could get rid of it? And stop it from coming back?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This mole with a white ring could have been a small cyst instead of a mole which is very frequently found on the shoulders . The other possibility is of a halo nevus. In this the skin surrounding a small mole becomes lighter and the central mole becomes pale. Most halo naevi are benign. However as a thumb rule , if you notice changes in the mole's/mark’s color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it.

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.