How Do You Get Rid of Skin Lesions?

Skin lesions can be unsightly, uncomfortable or unsafe. Whether you want to remove skin lesions for cosmetic or health reasons, there are several ways to do so. How do you get rid of skin lesions?

Skin lesions are any part of the skin that is different from the area around it, causing it to look abnormal. Skin lesions can be bumps, blisters, patches or sores. They all occur in one of three ways though; as pockets of fluid under the skin, as solid lumps under the skin or as flat sections on the top layer of skin with a different texture. Lesions are usually non-cancerous, but sometimes a biopsy may be performed after removal to ensure that the area is benign. While it can be tempting to try at-home removal methods, the safest way to remove skin lesions is under the care of a doctor, who can take steps to prevent scarring or infections.

Shaving or Scraping: A small blade is used to carefully scrape or shave off the skin lesion, being sure to do so at a shallow angle so no other skin is removed. No stitches are usually required for this method.

Curettage: Similar to the shaving method, a small tool with a looped blade is used to extract the skin lesion. This method can be used to remove surface-level skin lesions or to go deeper to fully remove cancerous cells.

Scalpel: A surgical tool like a knife is used to cut out the area of impacted skin. This method will need stitches.

Laser: Beams of light from a specialized laser are used to burn off the skin lesion. Because the laser is so targeted, the skin around the area will not be impacted.

Electrocautery: Instead of a laser, a small electric current is used to selectively burn off the skin lesion.

Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen is applied to the lesion in order to freeze the skin off. This method leaves a blister that heals in about a week or two.

If you have a skin lesion that is bothering you, it’s important to have it examined by a doctor to determine the best type of removal method, as well as to determine if further treatment or testing is needed. At Westgate Family Physicians, our doctors are trained to perform skin checks and skin lesion removal. Call (864) 574-0070 or visit our website, WestgatePhysicians.com to request an appointment.