Don’t Ignore This Dot on Your Palm | A Hidden Health Issue

Ever check your skin for new moles/dots? Most of us glance at our arms, face, or back – the usual sunny spots. But have you ever thought about checkin

Noticed a New Spot on Your Palm? Here's Why You Shouldn't Brush It Off.

 We all know it’s important to check our skin for new moles, right? Usually, we focus on spots that see a lot of sun, like our arms, face, or back. But have you ever thought about checking the palms of your hands? It might sound a little unusual, but finding a new mole there is actually something you’ll want to pay attention to.

Why Palm Moles Matter 

Here’s the thing: it's not very common for brand-new moles to appear on the palms of our hands (or the soles of our feet) as adults. So, if you suddenly spot one, especially if you're pretty sure it wasn't there before, it’s definitely worth a closer look.

Sometimes – and we want to stress this is rare, but important to know – a mole on your palm can be a sign of a specific type of skin cancer called acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). This is a form of melanoma that tends to show up on palms, soles, or even under fingernails or toenails. While it's statistically seen more often in people with darker skin tones, it's crucial to remember that ALM can affect anyone.

Watch this lady discover she has ALM:

What Should You Look For?

So, how can you tell if that little spot on your palm might be something to worry about? Dermatologists often share the helpful ABCDE rule as a guide:

Asymmetry: Does one half look noticeably different from the other?

Border: Are the edges looking irregular, jagged, or kind of blurry?

Color: Is the color uneven? Maybe different shades of brown, black, or even little patches of red or white?

Diameter: Is it bigger than a pencil eraser (around 6mm)? Keep in mind, though, smaller moles can sometimes be concerning too.

Evolving: Is it changing? Perhaps getting bigger, darker, starting to feel itchy, or maybe it bleeds easily?

But especially when it comes to a mole on your palm, even subtle things matter. If it just showed up out of the blue, seems out of place, or just feels different from other spots on your skin, that’s a perfectly good reason to get it looked at by a professional.

 Getting it Checked is Key

The most important thing with any type of melanoma is catching it early. When found in its early stages, it's usually very treatable. Waiting can unfortunately give it a chance to spread, which can make treatment more complicated.

If you (or maybe someone you care about) have noticed a new spot on the palm – or really, anywhere that seems a bit unusual – please schedule a visit with a dermatologist. They’re the experts who can examine it properly and, if they feel it's needed, perform a quick biopsy to understand exactly what's going on. It can really bring peace of mind.

That new mole on your palm might turn out to be completely harmless, and we hope it is! But there's a chance it might not be. Please don't ignore it or try to guess. When it comes to your health, trusting your instincts and choosing to be safe is always the best approach. Your skin might be trying to send you a message – let's make sure we're listening!