Hello doctor, I have raised mole on my right armpit. I have it in my entire life. Currently, I am pregnant I have six weeks left. I noticed less than a week ago after it started hurting. It not only completely changed the shape, but it grew twice in size and went from brown to a pinkish color with dark spots. As of today, the mole has turned entirely black. The swelling went away, but it is pure black. The skin underneath the mole is red, extending about half an inch on the surrounding area. Can I pull this mole off? Is it melanoma? Please help.
Hello. I have noted your history and concerns. What you currently are experiencing is activity in the form of an increase in size, and inflammation of a nevus or mole. The reason for this is pregnancy. As you must be aware, there are hormonal changes in pregnancy, especially near term that affects the skin in various ways, and this includes a difference in the appearance of any moles. Rest assured, the problem in all likelihood would recede once you deliver. However, there might be some element of infection playing in part in the swelling. To control that, one needs to apply Mupirocin ointment twice a day, and that helps most cases. I am sure you do not have to worry as the investigation to establish the nature of mole can be considered at a later date. Kindly do not try to pull off the lesion as that might be risky.