Tahi Lalat (Mole): Normal atau Bahaya? Semak ABCDE

Tahi lalat (a mole) is a small coloured spot on the skin. Most people have them, and they are usually harmless. The NHS says a normal mole is round or oval with a smooth edge, usually 1 colour, and does not change. Get a mole checked if it changes size, shape or colour, has an uneven edge or 2 or more colours, is bigger than about 6 mm, or itches, bleeds or becomes crusty, as these can be signs of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. In Asian and brown skin, also check the soles of your feet, palms and nails. Never cut or burn off a mole at home. This guide explains what is normal, the ABCDE check, moles in pregnancy, safe mole removal and when to see a doctor.

Apa itu tahi lalat (mole)?

In English, tahi lalat is a mole. The medical name is melanocytic naevus (nevus in American spelling). DermNet, a dermatology resource from New Zealand, describes it as a common, harmless spot caused by a cluster of pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin. Key facts:

• almost everyone has at least one mole (DermNet);
• about 1% of people are born with one or more moles (congenital moles); most appear later (DermNet);
• most moles appear during childhood and the teenage years, and grow as a child grows (American Academy of Dermatology, AAD);
• how many moles you have depends on your genes, sun exposure and immune system; fair-skinned people tend to have more (DermNet).

Some readers search for tahi lalat hidup (a mole that seems to be growing) or the meaning of a mole on the face. This guide does not cover beliefs about what a mole means. From a health point of view, what matters is whether a mole is new or changing in an adult, which the AAD says can be a sign of melanoma.

Tahi lalat normal: apa yang biasa

The NHS describes signs of harmless moles:

• round or oval, with a smooth edge;
• flat or raised, and may feel smooth or rough;
• sometimes with hair growing from them;
• usually darker on brown and black skin.

The AAD adds that moles can be brown, tan, black, red, pink, blue, skin-toned or colourless, and that moles can appear anywhere, including the scalp, between the fingers and toes, on the soles and palms, and under the nails. The NHS says it is normal for:

• babies to be born with moles;
• new moles to appear, especially in children and teenagers;
• moles to fade or disappear as you get older;
• moles to get slightly darker during pregnancy.

Not every dark spot or bump is a mole. Flat brown patches on the cheeks may be melasma (see our guide to jeragat), and small soft flaps of skin are skin tags (see our guide to skin tag). Rough lumps may be warts; see our guide to ketuat.

Tahi lalat bahaya: semak ABCDE

The AAD uses the ABCDE checklist to help spot melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer:

The NHS also lists moles that are swollen and sore, bleeding, itchy or crusty as signs to get checked. Having one of these signs does not mean you have cancer, but a doctor should look at it. For more on melanoma, risk factors and Malaysian data, see our guide to kanser kulit.

Tapak kaki, tapak tangan dan kuku: tempat yang mudah terlepas pandang

The NHS says people with brown or black skin have a lower chance of melanoma but can still get it, and that it most often appears on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands or under a nail. These areas are easy to miss.

A review of 32 patients with melanoma at University Malaya Medical Centre (1998 to 2008) found that Chinese patients were the largest group. Among the 24 patients first treated there, 12 had melanoma on the sole of the foot and none on the face, and most (62.5%) were already at stage III when diagnosed. This was one hospital and a small number of patients, but it shows why it is worth looking at your feet as well as your face.

The NHS advises seeing a doctor about a new or unusual mark on the palms or soles that has not gone away after a few weeks, or a dark area under a nail that was not caused by an injury.

Tahi lalat semasa hamil dan pada kanak-kanak

Pregnancy. The NHS says it is normal for moles to get slightly darker during pregnancy. A mole that changes size or shape, has an uneven edge or several colours, or itches or bleeds still needs to be checked, so mention it at your antenatal check-up. Darker patches on the face in pregnancy may be melasma; see our guide to jeragat.

Children. The AAD says most moles appear in childhood and the teenage years, and that moles grow as a child grows; some darken and others lighten. These changes are expected and are seldom a sign of melanoma (AAD). Still, show a doctor any mole on your child that bleeds, itches, or looks very different from their other moles.

Buang tahi lalat di muka: cara yang selamat

Many women want to remove a mole on the face (tahi lalat di muka) for cosmetic reasons. The AAD says most moles do not need treatment, but a dermatologist can remove a mole that is bothersome (for example, it rubs on clothing), that you do not like the look of, or that could be skin cancer. The NHS notes that harmless moles can be removed at a private clinic, but this may be expensive.

Never try to remove a mole at home by cutting or shaving it off. The AAD gives 3 reasons:

• skin cancer: if the mole contains cancer, some cancer cells can stay in the skin and even spread;
• scarring: you can leave a scar;
• infection: doctors use sterile equipment.

The AAD also warns that products sold to remove moles can cause scarring and delay a skin cancer diagnosis. If a mole grows back after removal, see your doctor again straight away, as this could be a sign of melanoma (AAD).

Cara jaga tahi lalat daripada matahari

The NHS says UV light from the sun can increase the chance of a mole becoming cancerous, so people with lots of moles need to be extra careful in the sun. In Malaysia's strong sun, the NHS advice is useful all year:

• stay in the shade when the sun is strongest (the NHS says 11am to 3pm in the UK);
• cover your skin with clothes, and wear a hat and sunglasses if you have moles on your face;
• use a high-factor sunscreen (at least SPF 30) and apply it again after swimming;
• do not use sunlamps or sunbeds.

For how to apply sunscreen properly, see our guide to kanser kulit dan pelindung matahari.

Cara periksa tahi lalat sendiri

The NHS advises checking your moles regularly for any changes, and the AAD says you can find melanoma early by checking your own skin. A simple routine:

1. check your skin in good light, using a mirror for your back, or ask your partner or a friend to check areas you cannot see (NHS);
2. look all over, because the AAD says moles can appear anywhere, including the scalp, between the fingers and toes, the soles of your feet, palms and under the nails;
3. compare each mole with the ABCDE list, and look out for a mole that looks different from the rest, which the AAD lists as a warning sign;
4. if you are unsure about a mole, see a doctor rather than waiting to see whether it changes.

If you wear a hijab or long sleeves most of the time, remember to check covered areas too, since moles can appear anywhere on the skin (AAD).

Bila perlu jumpa doktor

See a doctor (NHS) if:

• a mole has changed size, shape or colour;
• a mole is painful or itchy;
• a mole is inflamed, bleeding or crusty;
• you have a new or unusual mark on your skin that has not gone away after a few weeks, including on the palms or soles;
• you have a dark area under a nail that was not caused by an injury.

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and whether you or your family have had skin cancer, look at the mole and may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist). The NHS says finding melanoma as early as possible can mean it is easier to treat, and the main treatment is surgery to remove the mole.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Tahi lalat in English apa (what is tahi lalat in English)?

Tahi lalat is a mole in English. The medical name is melanocytic naevus (nevus in American spelling), a common, harmless spot made by a cluster of pigment cells in the skin. Almost everyone has at least one. Moles can be brown, black, skin-coloured or pink, flat or raised, and some have hair growing from them.

Tahi lalat yang normal macam mana (what does a normal mole look like)?

The NHS says most harmless moles are round or oval with a smooth edge, and can be flat or raised. They are usually 1 colour and often about the size of the end of a pencil or smaller. Moles are usually darker on brown and black skin. A normal mole usually does not change from month to month.

Tahi lalat macam mana yang bahaya (how do I know if a mole is dangerous)?

Use the ABCDE checklist from the American Academy of Dermatology: Asymmetry (one half unlike the other), Border (uneven or poorly defined edge), Colour (2 or more colours), Diameter (usually over 6 mm, though it can be smaller) and Evolving (changing in size, shape or colour). The NHS adds moles that itch, bleed, are crusty, swollen or sore. Any of these should be checked by a doctor.

Tahi lalat baru tumbuh, normal ke (is it normal to get new moles)?

The NHS says it is normal for new moles to appear, especially in children and teenagers. In adults, the American Academy of Dermatology says a new mole or a change to an existing mole can be a sign of melanoma, so a new spot that keeps growing, looks different from your other moles, or has not gone away after a few weeks should be checked by a doctor.

Tahi lalat jadi gelap semasa hamil, bahaya ke (my moles got darker in pregnancy)?

The NHS says it is normal for moles to get slightly darker during pregnancy. However, a mole that changes size or shape, becomes uneven, has more than 1 colour, itches or bleeds should still be checked by a doctor, whether or not you are pregnant.

Boleh buang tahi lalat di muka sendiri (can I remove a mole on my face myself)?

No. The American Academy of Dermatology advises never trying to remove a mole at home by cutting or shaving it, or using mole removal products, because this can cause scarring and infection, and if the mole is a skin cancer it can delay the diagnosis. A doctor can remove a mole safely, usually by cutting or shaving it off, and send it to be checked under a microscope.

Bila tahi lalat perlu jumpa doktor (when should I see a doctor about a mole)?

See a doctor if a mole has changed size, shape or colour, is painful, itchy, inflamed, bleeding or crusty, or if you have a new or unusual mark that has not gone away after a few weeks, including on your palms or soles, or a dark area under a nail that was not caused by an injury (NHS). Finding melanoma early can make it easier to treat.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

• Moles — NHS
• Symptoms of melanoma skin cancer — NHS
• Causes of melanoma skin cancer — NHS
• Moles: overview — American Academy of Dermatology
• Moles: signs and symptoms — American Academy of Dermatology
• Moles: diagnosis and treatment — American Academy of Dermatology
• What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma — American Academy of Dermatology
• Melanocytic naevus — DermNet
• Pailoor J, Mun KS, Leow M. Cutaneous malignant melanoma: clinical and histopathological review of cases in a Malaysian tertiary referral centre. Malays J Pathol. 2012;34(2):97-101