Introduction
Liver spot, birthmark or technically speaking naevus – everyone of us has some. Some have been present since birth, many others are added in the course of life. Really dangerous are the fewest of them.
Conversely, about one third of all cases of black skin cancer (malignant melanoma) are based on a normal mole. The lighter the skin type and the more acquired moles a person has, the higher the risk of developing black skin cancer. Other significant risk factors are increased skin cancer incidence in the family and severe sunburn, especially in childhood and adolescence.
We now take the following scenario: A mole bleeds. What next? The bleeding of a mole is primarily considered harmless, because especially in areas that are frequently shaved, injuries can easily occur. In rare cases, spontaneous bleeding of a liver spot can occur or the spot bleeds more frequently, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the possible presence of a malignant tumor.
Cause
Blood is always a warning signal for humans. However, a bleeding mole is not always the first sign of the worst. What is important is how the bleeding occurred and whether the mole has changed in the past.
It can happen that raised liver spots in regions such as the face, armpits, legs or genital area are injured and bleed when shaving. Sometimes the bleeding can also be alarmingly strong due to the good vascular supply. However, it is important to stay calm, wait until the bleeding is stopped and simply apply a plaster to the incision.
Usually such injuries are harmless. However, if the mole lies in a place where it is regularly exposed to injuries, it should be considered to remove it. This also applies to liver spots on bra lines or other areas with stressed skin, where bleeding can occur more frequently.
Now, however, a mole suddenly begins to bleed and an accidental injury can be ruled out. In such a situation it is important to take a closer look at the mole. Is it a relatively new skin appearance or has the spot always been there?
If it is an old mole, has it perhaps changed recently? Relevant changes are mainly increase in size or darkening / blackening. Another symptom that may indicate a malignant degeneration of the mole is itching or pain.
Every suddenly bleeding mole that is new or has changed or has been scratched open due to itching needs to be clarified. It is recommended that you consult your family doctor or dermatologist (dermatologist). If you run your finger over a mole, you will usually feel a slightly waxy surface that stands out from the rest of the skin.
When shaving the skin, it can therefore happen that the mole is scratched or cut slightly. Especially repeatedly used and blurred razor blades bear an increased risk of injury. Usually such an injury is caused by carelessness, as the mole is overlooked if it is not located in a clearly visible area of skin.
In rare cases, a mole or mole may also have an increased tendency to bleed under mechanical stress such as shaving if it shows malignant changes. Melanomas, basaliomas or even spinaliomas, all of which are tumors of the skin, cannot always be clearly distinguished from benign moles and are often very sensitive when shaving. They usually bleed more quickly than a benign mole, since they have more blood vessels than benign moles.
However, a malignant change is rather rare. In case of an injured mole, it should be rinsed with clear water and covered with a plaster if necessary. It is also possible to let it heal in the air.
There is no reason for concern. After a few days the small wound heals very well on its own. If there is severe swelling, redness, pain or even fever, it may be an infection of the skin tissue.
In this case, a doctor must be consulted, as this may require antibiotic treatment. Moles are not a major problem for many people. However, if you disturb the raised skin spots and scratch them open, this can lead to bleeding.
Liver spots can also itch and therefore be scratched open. Often tight shoes or tight-fitting clothes rub against the mole and scratch it open. First of all, this need not be a cause for concern.
The mole should be washed off with clear water.However, any manipulation in the form of ointments, creams, bandages or the like should be avoided. It is best to show the mole to a dermatologist as soon as possible to exclude a malignant change. The incidence of skin cancer in society is increasing due to various factors, such as sun exposure or genetic predisposition.
Frequently, many types of skin cancer can be treated and cured very well in their early stages. Therefore, early detection measures such as skin cancer screening are particularly important. Skin cancer, such as malignant melanoma or spinalioma, can sometimes resemble common moles and does not always cause clear symptoms.
However, one possible symptom is an increased tendency of skin cancer to superficial bleeding. Particularly under light mechanical stress, such as contact with textiles, shearing movements of the skin or light scratching, such skin changes can tend to bleed. In most cases, bleeding in this case is not a one-time event, but occurs more frequently. Accompanying itching, pain or typical changes in the shape, color or surface of the mole can occur. This is the way to skin cancer – early detection and treatment
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