Melanoma can present with itching, but this is not always a symptom. Itching may also be a side effect of some melanoma treatments, including immunotherapy.

While itching around a melanoma lesion is possible, the presence of other symptoms may be more relevant when diagnosing. In other words, itching itself is not a conclusive sign of skin cancer or melanoma.

Seeking care is highly advised if itching accompanies other skin cancer symptoms and mole changes. The ABCDE criteria remain the standard for assessing potential skin cancers, including melanoma:

  • A – Asymmetry: Benign moles and skin lesions are often symmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle, both halves will look similar. Melanomas often develop asymmetry, meaning one half of the mole will not mirror the other.
  • B – Border: Noncancerous growths on the skin often have smooth or even borders. Melanomas may show poorly defined edges or irregular borders.
  • C – Color: Regular moles typically show a uniform (or only) color. Melanomas may involve different shades or colors in the same lesion. Common shades include brown, black, pinkish, reddish, white, or bluish.
  • D – Diameter: Size alone is not a criterion for melanoma, especially because a new lesion may be smaller. But changing in size, particularly at a faster pace, may be a concerning sign. Melanomas usually grow larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
  • E – Evolving: Moles usually don’t change. If they do, the change is slow and insignificant. Any change in a mole’s size, shape, color, or texture may be a sign that you want to check with a healthcare professional. Changes also include bleeding, itching, crusting, or pain.

Melanoma may look different depending on the stage of the condition. Also, skin cancers, including melanomas, don’t always show all the ABCDE features, so regular skin screenings are important for an early diagnosis.

You can scan your body for new moles or skin lesions and changes to existing ones. Remember to check between your toes, soles, and areas that aren’t usually visible at first glance.

While itching is possible with melanoma and is also a known side effect of cancer treatment, it’s not a typical melanoma symptom and is less common than in other skin cancers. But any new or changing skin lesion or mole, including one that itches, merits visiting a healthcare professional to rule out malignancy.

If you are concerned or intrigued about a mole or another skin lesion that looks or feels unusual, consider visiting a dermatologist. They’ll screen you for possible causes of itching and other symptoms, and recommend next steps. Here’s what to expect from a skin cancer screening.