A mole (melanocytic nevus) is a common skin growth formed when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) cluster together. While most moles are harmless, a new sensation like burning can be alarming. This symptom is often a temporary response to irritation, but it can signal a more serious underlying change. Understanding the context of the burning sensation determines whether the cause is benign or requires professional attention.
Common and Benign Causes of Irritation
The most frequent reason a mole feels irritated or burns is physical interaction or minor trauma. A raised mole is particularly susceptible to friction from external sources. Repetitive rubbing from clothing seams, bra straps, belts, or jewelry can cause localized inflammation and a temporary burning sensation. This mechanical stress irritates the nerve endings within the surrounding skin tissue.
Minor surface injuries, such as accidentally scratching or picking the mole, can also trigger pain or a burning feeling. This trauma can break the skin barrier, causing inflammation as the body begins healing. Sometimes, a non-cancerous growth like a small cyst or pimple forms beneath the mole, creating pressure and pain that feels like a burning ache.
Environmental factors are another common source of temporary discomfort. Sun exposure resulting in sunburn will cause moles to feel hot and tender. Contact with harsh soaps, detergents, or chemical irritants can provoke localized contact dermatitis, leading to redness and a burning or itchy sensation. These benign causes are short-lived, resolving once the irritant is removed or the minor injury heals.
Recognizing Warning Signs
A burning or painful sensation that is persistent, meaning it does not resolve after a few days or weeks, warrants closer examination for potential malignancy. This sustained discomfort, along with other physical changes, shifts the concern to a possible sign of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. The key indicator of concern is a new or sustained change in the mole’s characteristics.
Self-examination can be guided by the widely used ABCDE criteria, which outlines the typical features of an atypical growth:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half in shape.
- Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred instead of smooth and well-defined.
- Color variation: Multiple shades of tan, brown, and black are present, sometimes with dashes of red, white, or blue within the lesion.
- Diameter: Generally larger than 6 millimeters (roughly the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller.
- Evolving: Any change in the mole’s size, shape, color, or the appearance of new symptoms like bleeding, crusting, itching, or a persistent burning sensation.
A change in sensation, such as a new or persistent burning, is considered a form of evolution and is an important signal.
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
Any mole exhibiting a sustained burning sensation, especially if accompanied by other visible changes, should prompt a consultation with a medical professional. Immediate evaluation is warranted if a mole begins to bleed without being scratched, shows signs of oozing, or develops an open, non-healing sore. A rapid change in size or color over weeks or months is another strong indication that the mole needs professional assessment.
During the medical evaluation, a dermatologist will perform a full-body skin check, paying close attention to the concerning mole. The doctor often uses a specialized hand-held magnification tool called a dermatoscope. This tool illuminates and magnifies the mole, allowing for a detailed examination of its internal structures and pigment patterns. This non-invasive examination assists the physician in differentiating between a benign growth and a suspicious lesion.
If the mole appears suspicious after the visual and dermoscopic inspection, the next step is typically a biopsy. This involves removing all or part of the lesion for laboratory analysis. The final diagnosis is determined by a dermatopathologist examining the tissue sample under a microscope. Seeking prompt professional guidance ensures that any potential skin cancer is detected at its earliest, most treatable stage.