Skin Lesions

What are skin lesions?

Skin lesions are lumps found on or just below the skin.

Examples of skin lesions

  • Epidermoid  cysts or sebaceous cysts – cyst fills with a whitish substance which often opens on to the surface of the skin through a pore
  • Lipoma – lump of fatty tissue in the layer of fat underneath your skin. These can vary in size and can grow to quite a large size. Some people may have more than one at a time.
  • Skin tags – small lump hanging from your skin
  • Moles – a coloured lesion that one can be born with or develop later. Changes  to the mole, colour, shape, bleeding may indicate that it is turning malignant and it is important to seek medical attention

Depending on whether Professor Memon considers the skin lesion to be suspicious; he may advise you to have it surgically removed.

Surgical removal of skin lesions is the only way to reliably remove them – this is usually carried out under local anaesthesia or if there are several; general anaesthesia may be required. You will usually have either dissolving sutures, sutures that require removal after a set time or surgical staples. Prof Memon will give you instructions post-operatively regarding pain control, wound care, and how long the sutures need to stay in place. Our nurse generally takes care of all your wound management.

Risks associated with surgical removal of skin lesions:

  • Pain – usually once the local anaesthetic wears off; simple analgesia will be required (ask the doctor what is best)
  • Bleeding – usually little but can cause bruising or temporary swelling under the skin
  • Infection – unusual but can still happen. If you spike a temperature, or there is increased redness or pus please contact Prof Memon
  • Scarring – this can be reduced by the application of steristrips to the incision line once the surtures  have been removed ( ask the nurse)
  • Wound breakdown – this can happen from time to time. Several factors influence wound healing; e.g. whether you are a smoker or not, how good your general health is and how well you look after your wound in the post operative period.

Returning to normal activities:

For the first 24 hours post operatively you are restricted from driving, operating machinery, dangerous activities, signing legal documentation, drink alcohol, particularly if you have had sedation or general anaesthesia. Returning to work is usually the next day but it is always best to take Prof Memon’s advise in this matter.