Other types of moles

As well as common benign moles, there are several less typical mole types that can look unusual but are often still benign. These include halo moles, blue moles and Spitz moles. Because they can resemble melanoma, assessment by a dermatologist is important when they first appear or change.

Halo moles

A halo mole has a pale ring of skin around it, caused by the immune system reacting against the pigment cells in the mole and surrounding skin. Over time the central mole may fade and eventually disappear, leaving a pale area that slowly repigments.

Halo moles are often seen in children and teenagers and are usually harmless. However, similar pale rings can occasionally form around a melanoma, so any new halo lesion in an adult should be checked carefully.

Blue moles

A blue mole is a benign lesion where the pigment cells sit deeper in the skin, which makes the colour appear blue or blue grey. Blue moles are usually:

  • Small and round or oval
  • Uniform in colour
  • Stable in size over time

Because their colour can be striking, blue moles are often brought for assessment to rule out melanoma. A dermatoscopic examination helps to identify the typical features of a benign blue mole. Removal may be advised if there is any doubt about the diagnosis or if the mole changes.

Spitz moles

Spitz moles (Spitz naevi) are usually dome shaped, smooth lesions that often arise in children and young adults. They may be pink, red or brown and can grow quite quickly at first, which can be alarming.

Spitz moles can look very similar to melanoma on both clinical and dermatoscopic examination, so dermatologists often recommend removal for microscopic analysis, particularly in older patients or where there are any atypical features.

Assessment and follow up

When assessing an unusual mole, the dermatologist will:

  • Review your personal and family history of skin cancer
  • Examine all of your moles during a full mole check
  • Use dermatoscopy to look at patterns within the lesion

If the features are entirely typical of a benign variant, observation and regular self monitoring may be recommended. If there is any uncertainty, surgical removal with histological examination is the safest option.

If you have been told you have a halo mole, blue mole or Spitz mole, or if you have noticed an unusual or rapidly growing mole, please book a specialist mole check or contact us through the contact page.