--- description: See melanoma warning signs, symptoms and pictures of moles. Learn what melanoma looks and feels like to help spot skin cancer early. title: Melanoma Warning Signs and Images image: https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/MelanomaWarningSigns2020.jpg --- [Home](https://www.skincancer.org/) › [Skin Cancer Information](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/) › [Melanoma](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/) › Melanoma Warning Signs and Images Translation:   [![]()](https://www.skincancer.org/international/labcde-du-melanome/#warning)  [![]()](https://www.skincancer.org/international/melanom/#warning)  [![]()](https://www.skincancer.org/international/gli-abcde-del-melanoma/#warning) [En Espanol](https://www.skincancer.org/international/es-melanoma/#warning) # Melanoma Warning Signs ## What Does Melanoma Look Like? Finding melanoma at an early stage is crucial; early detection can vastly increase your chances for cure. -  The **[ABCDE](#abcde)s** and the  [**Ugly Duckling sign**](#uglyduckling) can help you detect melanoma. - Look for anything **new,** **changing** or** unusual** on both sun-exposed and sun-protected areas of the body. - In women, melanomas commonly appear on the legs. - In men, the trunk is the number one place melanomas develop. - Keep in mind that melanomas can arise anywhere on the skin, even in areas where the sun doesn’t shine. Most moles, brown spots and growths on the skin are harmless – but not always. Read on for more information. - [The ABCDEs of melanoma](#abcde) - [Look out for an ugly duckling](#uglyduckling) - [Melanoma can be tricky](#tricky) - [What does melanoma feel like?](#feel) - [What you can do](#do) - [Melanoma pictures](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-pictures/#melanoma) - [Skin Cancer Awareness Toolkit](https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/toolkit/) - [Skin cancer & skin of color](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-skin-of-color/) - [More melanoma pictures](#moreimg) ##### Early detection makes a difference 99% **5-year survival rate** for patients in the U.S. whose melanoma is detected early. The survival rate drops to 74% if the disease reaches the lymph nodes and 35% if it spreads to distant organs. ![](<> "triple-circle") [Overview](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/ "melanoma overview") [Risk Factors](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-causes-and-risk-factors/ "melanoma risk factors") [Stages](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/the-stages-of-melanoma/ "melanoma stages") [Treatment](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-treatments/ "melanoma treatment") ### The ABCDEs of melanoma The first five letters of the alphabet are a guide to help you recognize the warning signs of melanoma. **A is for Asymmetry.** Most melanomas are asymmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves don’t match, so it looks different from a round to oval and symmetrical common mole. **B is for Border.** Melanoma borders tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges. Common moles tend to have smoother, more even borders. **C is for Color.** Multiple colors are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the colors red, white or blue may also appear. **D is for Diameter or Dark.** While it’s ideal to detect a melanoma when it is small, it’s a warning sign if a lesion is the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm, or ¼ inch in diameter) or larger. Some experts say it is important to look for any lesion, no matter what size, that is darker than others. Rare, [amelanotic melanomas](http://skincancer.org/blog/amelanotic-melanoma-it-doesnt-look-like-other-melanomas/) are colorless. **E is for Evolving.** Any change in size, shape, color or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new symptom in it, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, may be a warning sign of melanoma. If you notice these warning signs and symptoms, or see anything NEW, CHANGING or UNUSUAL on your skin see a dermatologist promptly. ![signs of skin cancer: melanoma asymmetrical ]()**A** is for **Asymmetry** ![signs of skin cancer: melanoma with irregular border]()**B** is for **Border** ![signs of skin cancer: melanoma with unconventional color]()**C** is for **Color** ![signs of skin cancer: dark melanoma with large diameter]()**D** is for **Diameter or Dark** ![signs of skin cancer: melanoma evolving before photo]()**E** is for **Evolving** (Before) ![signs of skin cancer: melanoma evolving after photo]()**E** is for **Evolving** (After) *Please note: Since not all melanomas have the same appearance, these photos serve as a general reference for what melanoma can look like. If you see anything NEW, CHANGING or UNUSUAL on your skin, go get checked by a dermatologist.* ### Look out for an ugly duckling The **Ugly Duckling** is another warning sign of melanoma. This recognition strategy is based on the concept that most normal moles on your body resemble one another, while melanomas stand out like ugly ducklings in comparison. This highlights the importance of not just checking for irregularities, but also comparing any suspicious spot to surrounding moles to determine whether it looks different from its neighbors. These ugly duckling lesions can be larger, smaller, lighter or darker, compared to surrounding moles. Also, isolated lesions without surrounding moles for comparison are considered ugly ducklings. ![signs of skin cancer: ugly duckling warning sign of melanoma]() ### Melanoma can be tricky Identifying a potential skin cancer is not easy, and not all melanomas follow the rules. Melanomas come in many forms and may display none of the typical warning signs. It’s also important to note that about 20 to 30 percent of melanomas develop in existing moles, while 70 to 80 percent arise on seemingly normal skin. **Amelanotic melanomas** are missing the dark pigment melanin that gives most moles their color. [Amelanotic melanomas](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/amelanotic-melanoma-it-doesnt-look-like-other-melanomas/) may be pinkish, reddish, white, the color of your skin or even clear and colorless, making them difficult to recognize. **Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM)**, the most common form of melanoma found in [people of color](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-skin-of-color/), often appears in hard-to-spot places, including under the fingernails or toenails, on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. [View images](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-skin-of-color/#images). **The takeaway:** Be watchful for any **new** mole or freckle that arises on your skin, a sore or spot that does not heal, any existing mole that starts **changing **(growing, swelling, itching) or any spot, mole or lesion that looks **unusual**. --- ![signs of skin cancer: acral lentiginous melanoma]()![signs of skin cancer: acral lentiginous melanoma]() *Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the most common melanoma found in people of color.* ### What Does Melanoma Feel Like? Many early melanomas don’t feel like anything — they may not cause pain and  itching, which is exactly why they’re easy to overlook. Because you often can’t rely on how a spot feels, the visual warning signs and any change over time are what matter most. That said, some melanomas do produce sensations as they develop. #### Does Melanoma Itch? Melanoma can itch in some cases — but many melanomas never itch, and plenty of harmless spots do. Itching alone doesn’t diagnose or rule out melanoma. The concern is an itchy spot that is also new, changing, asymmetric or unusual looking; see a dermatologist to check it out. #### Does Melanoma Hurt? Melanoma often does not hurt, especially in its early stages, so a painless spot should never be considered “safe.” But some melanomas can be accompanied by pain or unusual sensitivity different from the surrounding skin. So the best bet is, if a [mole becomes painful](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-expert-painful-moles/) and doesn’t get better, see your dermatologist for an evaluation. ### What you can do **Check yourself:** No matter your risk, examine your skin head-to-toe once a month to identify potential skin cancers early. Take note of existing moles or lesions that grow or change. Learn how to check your skin [here](https://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/self-exams/). **When in doubt, check it out.** Because melanoma can be so dangerous once it advances, follow your instincts. Visit your doctor if you see a spot that just doesn’t seem right. Keep in mind that while important, monthly self-exams are not enough. **See your dermatologist at least once a year** for a professional skin exam. **If you’ve had a melanoma**, follow up regularly with your doctor once treatment is complete. Stick to the schedule your doctor recommends. This ensures that you identify any recurrence as early as possible. ### More melanoma images - ![Large melanoma with varied colors](<> "Large melanoma with varied colors") Large melanoma with varied colors Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Dark, raised melanoma with irregular borders](<> "Dark, raised melanoma with irregular borders") Dark, raised melanoma with irregular borders Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Large melanoma with irregular borders](<> "Large melanoma with irregular borders") Large melanoma with irregular borders Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Melanoma with asymmetry and irregular borders](<> "Melanoma with asymmetry and irregular borders") Melanoma with asymmetry and irregular borders Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Acral lentiginous melanoma on heel](<> "Acral lentiginous melanoma on heel") Acral lentiginous melanoma on heel Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Melanoma on cheek](<> "Melanoma on cheek") Melanoma on cheek Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Dark, raised melanoma](<> "Dark, raised melanoma") Dark, raised melanoma Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Melanoma, irregular borders](<> "Melanoma, irregular borders") Melanoma, irregular borders Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Subungual melanoma under toenail](<> "Subungual melanoma under toenail") Subungual melanoma under toenail Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Subungual melanoma on fingernail](<> "Subungual melanoma on fingernail") Subungual melanoma on fingernail Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Melanoma on finger](<> "Melanoma on finger") Melanoma on finger Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. - ![Acral lentiginous melanoma on heel of foot](<> "Acral lentiginous melanoma on heel of foot") Acral lentiginous melanoma on heel of foot Photo credit: Richard P. Usatine, MD. ***Reviewed by:** **Allan C. Halpern, MD Ashfaq A. Marghoob, MD* *Ofer Reiter, MD * ##### [Sign up to receive our newsletter](https://www.skincancer.org/newsletter/) This section made possible through an education grant from   ![merck logo]() ## The Skin Cancer Foundation Blog [Your October Update: Sun Damage & Your Eyes](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/2026-10-newsletter/)![SCF newsletter]() [Monthly Newsletter](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/enews/) ### [Your October Update: Sun Damage & Your Eyes](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/2026-10-newsletter/) [Young Survivor Warns: “People Aren’t Scared Enough of Skin Cancer”](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/skin-cancer-at-age-23/)![young woman with squamous cell carcinoma on her lip]() [This Is Skin Cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/) ### [Young Survivor Warns: “People Aren’t Scared Enough of Skin Cancer”](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/skin-cancer-at-age-23/) [Your September Skin Health Update](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/your-september-skin-health-update-2026/)![SCF newsletter]() [Monthly Newsletter](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/enews/) ### [Your September Skin Health Update](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/your-september-skin-health-update-2026/) Last updated: October 2026 Open menu Menu Close menu SearchSearch ```json {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images\/","url":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images\/","name":"Melanoma Warning Signs, Symptoms & Pictures - The Skin Cancer Foundation","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/MelanomaWarningSigns2020.jpg","datePublished":"2019-06-03T16:25:16+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-28T16:07:11+00:00","description":"See melanoma warning signs, symptoms and pictures of moles. 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