Can you get cancer from scratching a mole off?

Scratching off a mole can increase your risk of developing skin cancer, but it is not the direct cause of cancer. Here's why:

When a mole is irritated or damaged, it can cause inflammation and disrupt the normal growth and development of skin cells. This can potentially lead to abnormal changes in the cells, which might increase the likelihood of mutations that can lead to skin cancer.

Attempting to remove a mole by scratching or scraping can also result in the mole becoming infected, further complicating the healing process and potentially leading to additional skin complications.

It's important to remember that not all moles develop into skin cancer, and most moles are harmless. However, any changes in size, shape, color, or texture of a mole should be promptly evaluated by a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Self-removal or self-treatment of moles is strongly discouraged, as it can make an accurate diagnosis more difficult for medical professionals and may lead to unnecessary damage or worse outcomes.

Always seek the advice and expertise of a qualified dermatologist if you have concerns or notice changes in your moles.