Excisions, biopsies, liquid nitrogen, hyfrecation, bits and

Some things we do in this practice simply because they are there to be done.

You might not be certain your GP is comfortable with or set up for minor skin work.

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons are busy and expensive. Surgeons in particular might not always choose the most practical way of dealing with the issue. 

Moles and dermatofibromas might require formal excision. Anything up to a centimetre or so in diameter on the body. Facial excisions that size e.g. skin cancers should go to a formal surgeon. 

Don't know what it is? 

If I can't tell you straight away I can usually *biopsy* there and then on the spot, so to speak.

Shave biopsy techniques are hugely under-utilised in Australia, but can give a diagnosis without any need for stitches.

But I will happily do punch biopsies as well if indicated.

Very commonly done to treat solar keratoses/actinic keratoses or "sunspots". 

Also very commonly done to treat seborrhoeic keratoses aka "senile warts".

A light freeze and we are done. You'll see a little pink swelling, and then after a few days the surface will flake off and new pink skin will grow from below.

Some little bumps and skin tags need removing but don't need formal pathological examination, and liquid nitrogen won't do the job.

In which case I put a little local anaesthetic under the skin and use the Bircher Hyfrecator to effectively burn off the little lump.

I commonly do this for non-pigmented skin tags.

Unsure of what to call it?

Other spots and warts and things you are not sure what to call or what to do about?

Book a consultation and I'll have a look.

Maybe I can fix it, or maybe I have to refer you, but either way you'll be on the way to sorting it out.