HomeAnswersDermatologymelanomaWhy do I have a mole with hair growing out of it?

Is mole with hair a non-cancerous one?

Share
Is mole with hair a non-cancerous one?

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At August 22, 2018
Reviewed AtJanuary 12, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

About a month ago I vigorously scratched off a mole that was on my back. While lifting weights and lying on my back, it got irritated. I have had the mole for at least seven years. It has always been relatively big and light brown shade. However, when I picked it off it went away at first, then about a month later it gradually started to come back. Now, it is not even, looks irregular and varies in color a little bit. It has also grown hair in it. In interner, I searched for pictures of melanoma and freaked out. I do not have a history of skin cancer in my family. I am 24 years old and I go to the beach and pool quite often. I have not always worn sunscreen, but most of the time I wear SPF 15. I am not on any medication.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You should not have scratched it, because the chances of malignancy increase in otherwise benign mole. Presently what I can see is the erosion (attachment removed to protect patient identity) so at this stage even dermoscopy would not be able to find out malignancy. So, best policy at this time is to use Mupirocin ointment twice daily in order to subside or prevent infection. Once the erosion is subsided then you can go for dermoscopic and histologic examination to confirm the nature of mole.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I have read different things online saying that hair cannot occur in melanoma. Because the cancer cells would kill the hair. I have read others saying this is not true. What is your answer to this issue? Since my mole has hair growing out of it, does that increase or decrease my chance of it being a melanoma?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Hair growth has nothing to do with malignancy. Melanoma is a tumor of melanocyte present in the basal layer of the epidermis while hair emerges from a different entity known as the hair follicle. So, in the advanced stage infiltration of tumor cells in hair follicles may cause hair loss but it does not always happen. This is why none of the scientific criteria for diagnosing melanoma has the presence or absence of hair.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Atishay Bukharia
Dr. Atishay Bukharia

Dermatology

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Dermatology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy