Skin biopsy

Indications for skin biopsy

Most often, a skin biopsy is prescribed when the formation of malignant skin tumors is suspected, but this procedure can also be performed to confirm or refute other diagnoses. You should not be afraid of a biopsy, it only helps the doctor to more accurately reproduce the picture of the disease. Indications for the procedure are:

• the appearance of inflammatory ulcers on the skin;
• the need for a diagnostic examination for bacterial and viral infections;
• suspicion of the formation of benign or malignant neoplasms of the skin;
• control of skin condition after removal of malignant tumors.

Also, patients suffering from:

• lupus erythematosus;
• lupus;
• oncology;
• psoriasis;
• scleroderma;
• amyloidosis;
• deep mycosis;
• nodular periarteritis;
• reticulosis

Types of skin biopsy

The choice of one or another type of biopsy depends on the potential diagnosis that needs to be confirmed or rejected, for example, if melanoma (skin cancer) is suspected, a biopsy is not taken. Also, the choice of the type of procedure depends on the location of the suspicious area, its size, and the general health of the patient. So, the following types of skin biopsy are distinguished:

• puncture;
• excision;
• curettage;
• dermatotomy

All types of skin biopsies are performed at the "LeoDerm" clinic in Lviv. They are carried out under the control of high-precision, modern equipment. After all, we perfectly understand that even a well-equipped dermatology office and the experience of a doctor do not always allow us to make an accurate diagnosis based only on a visual or instrumental examination. In some cases, laboratory tests are vital.

Usually, tissue collection is carried out under local anesthesia, after which the obtained material is placed in a container with a special solution. The main feature of this method is that no special training is required.

Skin biopsy procedure at the LeoDerm clinic

As already mentioned above, the process of taking skin samples will depend on the size and localization of the atypical area. Before the immediate procedure, local anesthesia is applied, after which the doctor completely cuts off the affected area. Bleeding is stopped with special drugs or by suturing the wound.

In cases where the affected area is in the deep layers of the skin, a puncture biopsy is used, during which a small fragment of tissue is taken with the help of a special needle that pierces the skin to the required depth. If the affected tissue is on the surface and filled with fluid, the doctor takes a sample of this fluid.

Only a dermatologist can prescribe a referral for a skin biopsy and determine its type, which is why it is necessary to make an appointment for a preliminary consultation, where you can undergo an initial examination and determine the feasibility of prescribing laboratory tests.

Wound care after biopsy

After the biopsy, the wound requires special care. If the tissue collection area is large enough, it is recommended to wear a sterile dressing for the first few days. The duration of wound healing can vary from several weeks to several months. Wounds on the limbs take the longest time.

During the wound healing period, it is recommended:

• ensure that the injured area is always clean and dry, for this you can use antiseptics;
• if necessary, wear a sterile bandage;

It is not recommended to submerge the wound in water before it has tightened. If stitches were placed on the wound, they should not be soaked for at least 2 days. It is also impossible to stretch the stitches, because this can provoke bleeding.

If you notice a suspicious area of ​​skin on your body, do not delay a visit to a dermatologist, because timely detection and correct diagnosis will help avoid complications in the future. Sign up for a consultation with a dermatologist "LeoDerm" now. Contact phone numbers of the clinic are posted on the website. Call!