Patient education: Skin lesion removal (The Basics)

What is a skin lesion? — This is an area of skin that is not normal. It might look like a lump on or under the skin or have different coloring. Examples of skin lesions include moles, cysts, warts, skin tags, and lipomas.

Most skin lesions do not cause problems. But sometimes, a lesion needs to be removed because it becomes irritated or rubs on clothing. Others are removed because they might be a sign of cancer.

What is skin lesion removal? — There are different ways to remove a skin lesion. These include:

●Shaving the lesion down to the level of the skin – This might be done with a laser.

●Freezing the lesion – This is done with a special fluid that gets very cold, called "liquid nitrogen."

●Cutting the lesion off with surgical scissors

●Burning the lesion off with a special tool

●Scraping the lesion off using a tool with a sharp loop on the end

●Making a small cut (incision) – The lesion is then removed with surgical tools.

Skin lesions can bleed when they are removed. Never try to cut, pick at, or pull off a skin lesion on your own. Doing this can lead to infection.

How do I prepare for skin lesion removal? — The doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do anything special to prepare. Before your procedure, your doctor will do an exam. They will also ask you about your "health history." This involves asking you questions about any health problems you have or had in the past, past surgeries, and any medicines you take. Tell them about:

●Any medicines you are taking – This includes any prescription or "over-the-counter" medicines you use, plus any herbal supplements you take. It helps to write down and bring a list of any medicines you take, or bring a bag with all of your medicines with you.

●Any allergies you have

●Any bleeding problems you have – Certain medicines, including some herbs and supplements, can increase the risk of bleeding. Some health conditions also increase this risk.

Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.

What happens during skin lesion removal? — When it is time for the procedure:

●The staff will clean your skin.

●You might get local anesthesia medicines. These numb the area so you don't feel pain.

●The doctor will carefully remove your skin lesion. In some cases, they will send a sample of the lesion for tests to confirm a diagnosis or check for skin cancer.

●If the doctor made an incision, they will close it with skin glue, skin tape, or stitches.

●The doctor will cover the area with clean bandages.

What are the risks of skin lesion removal? — Your doctor will talk to you about all of the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Bleeding

●Infection

●Scarring

●Nerve damage

●The lesion coming back

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

Take care of the area where the skin lesion was removed. You might have stitches, surgical glue, or a special skin tape on your incision.

●Keep the area dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep the area dry.

●Once you no longer need to keep the area dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put it underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.

●After you wash the area, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic or other ointment on it. They will also tell you if you need to cover the area with a bandage or gauze.

●Always wash your hands before and after you touch the area or bandage.

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor might want to see you again after the procedure to check on your progress. Go to these appointments. They also might want to talk to you about any test results.

If you have stitches, you might need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or skin tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You have redness or swelling near where the lesion was removed, or fluid draining from the area.

More on this topic

Patient education: Skin warts (The Basics)
Patient education: Skin tags (acrochordon) (The Basics)
Patient education: Non-melanoma skin cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Melanoma skin cancer (The Basics)

Patient education: Common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Melanoma treatment; localized melanoma (Beyond the Basics)