SHAVE BIOPSY (or "tangential excision") slices a surface growth off using a blade. A "curette" does a similar task with a special scraping tool. These are often done to remove a small growth and confirm its nature at the same time.
PUNCH BIOPSY is typically used by dermatologists to sample skin rashes and small growths. After a local anesthetic is injected, a biopsy punch, which is basically a small (1 to 4 mm diameter) version of a cookie cutter, is used to cut out a cylindrical piece of skin. The hole may be closed with a suture and heals with minimal scarring.
UVB PHOTOTHERAPY is a treatment for skin eruptions using artificial ultraviolet light. The initials UVB stand for the type B ultraviolet, the part of sunlight that gives one sunburn. Carefully controlled, it is an extremely effective tool for significant skin disease.
ELECTRODESICCATION AND CURETTAGE (ED&C) Scraping or burning-off skin growths (also known as electrodesiccation and curettage) can be used for less serious skin cancers, pre-cancers and benign growths. A local anesthetic is injected, and then the abnormal tissue is scraped off with a special tool. The area is then cauterized until bleeding stops. This may be repeated if the growth is cancerous. The wound will need to be dressed until it heals, and it usually leaves a small white.
CRYOSURGERY (CRYOTHERAPY) is used frequently by dermatologist to treat many skin problems. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed on to the area of skin freezing it. Light freezing causes a peeling, moderate freezing a blistering and hard freezing a scabbing. It is used for acne, scars, growths and some skin cancers. Older dermatologists still use a swab to apply it, but the result is the same.
ACNE SURGERY is the removing of acne lesions, usually by opening up comedones (blackheads) and pimples by using a needle or small pointed blade and expressing the lesions with an extractor. |
