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General Info about Skin Biopsy

What is the Procedure for Skin Biopsy ?

Biopsies are obtained from the different skin layers :

What is a punch Skin Biopsy ?

What is Shave Skin Biopsy ?

What is an Incisional Biopsy ?

Frequently asked questions about Athlete's Foot...

Glossary

General Info about Skin Biopsy

Skin biopsy is taken when there is an infection or disease in the skin, which requires further examination, and requires a skin biopsy.

Local anesthesia is given before taking the biopsy.

A small piece of tissue is cut with the help of the scalpel under sterile conditions, after cleaning the surface of the skin.

Then the skin surface is stitched together, which leaves a very small, almost invisible scar.

What is the Procedure for Skin Biopsy ?

A local anesthesia is given in the form of topical cream or injection at the biopsy site to numb the site.

The procedure takes about a minute and may feel a pushing sensation in the area where the skin biopsy is being performed but there should not be any pain. You should tell the doctor if the procedure is painful during the biopsy.

The biopsy site usually bleeds slightly, but bleeding will stop when pressure is applied to the skin.

You may have stitches depending on the type of skin biopsy. Your dermatologist will tell you when to get them removed. A dressing will usually be applied to the site of the biopsy. This should be left in place for the first 24 hours. After that you can remove the dressing.

The skin sample is collected in a sterile container and sent to a Pathologist for examination.
It usually takes about one week for the doctor to obtain the result from the pathology laboratory, but can sometimes take longer if special stains are required.

A small scar left after the skin biopsy site has healed.

Biopsies are obtained from the different skin layers :

A shave biopsy generally involves obtaining tissue specimens from the thin outer layer of skin, called the epidermis.

A punch biopsy generally involves obtaining tissue specimens from the epidermis. However, in some cases, a punch biopsy involves the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.

An Incisional biopsy generally involves obtaining tissue specimens from the deepest layer of skin, called the subcutaneous tissue.

What is a punch Skin Biopsy ?

A punch skin biopsy is a short procedure to remove a small piece of skin tissue for examination under a microscope.

A skin punch biopsy needle is gently inserted in to the skin, rotated and a small circle of the skin is carefully removed.

The sample is collected in a sterile tissue collecting container and sent to a Pathologist for examination and this procedure is usually carried out to determine or confirm a diagnosis.

What is Shave Skin Biopsy ?

A shave biopsy is used when the skin lesion is present in the upper layers of the skin (the epidermis and dermis of the skin).

In this procedure of shave skin biopsy the dermatologist will shave the superficial slice of the skin from the affected area with the help of a sterile Scalpel or Razor Blade.

There are usually no stitches required after a shave biopsy but there will be a small scar that should heal in 1-2 weeks depending on the skin lesion involved.

What is an Incisional Biopsy ?

Incisional biopsies are used to evaluate diffuse/generalised skin diseases or to identify skin tumor.
Multiple sampling is taken for diagnosis and mostly a minimum of three biopsies is collected.
The dermatologist will cut out a piece of skin with a scalpel blade. Stitches are usually required after an incisional biopsy.

Frequently asked questions about Athlete's Foot...

Which doctor should I see for having a skin biopsy ?
You should see a Dermatologist or a General physician.

Who is a Dermatologist ?
Dermatologist is a skin doctor.

What are the precautions to be taken after a skin biopsy ?
The Biopsy site should be kept clean and dry till it heals completely. Water should not enter the biopsy site for at least 2 days. Ask your doctor about specific instructions on how to take care of your biopsy site.

When will the stitches in skin be removed ?
Stitches in the face are usually removed in about 5-6 days. Stitches in other parts of the body are removed in 10-12 days. Adhesive strips should remain till it falls off the stitches. Ask your doctor about specific instructions.

Will the biopsy site bleed after the procedure ?
Small amount of bleeding occurs at the biopsy site for several days.
Ask your doctor about how much amount of bleeding is expected. If complications of the following conditions occur consult your doctor immediately.

Increase in swelling, pain, redness at the biopsy site.

Increase in temperature.

Increase in bleeding or pus from the biopsy site.

Are there any risks involved in Punch Skin biopsy ?
In very rare conditions, there are chances that the biopsy site may become infected. A child with known immune problems may be given a topical antibiotic cream for the site. There is a chance that a scar, similar to a chicken pox scar, may form.

How can you reduce the development of skin cancer ?
Avoid excessive Sun exposure.

Use sunscreens and protective clothing while exposing to sun.

Early diagnosis of skin cancer by using skin biopsy can help in getting early treatment and cure.

What are the risks of skin biopsy ?
Risks and complications of skin biopsy are rare.

Infection.

Persistent bleeding.

Scar due to skin injury or surgery.

Glossary

Scar : A mark in the skin made by a wound or ulcer, and remaining after the wound or ulcer is healed.
Topical cream : Topical anti-infective applied to a certain area of the skin and affecting only the area to which it is applied.
Dermatologist : A specialist expert in the treatment of disorders of the skin.
Dermis : Mesodermally derived connective tissue underlying the epithelium of the skin.

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