What is a Skin Biopsy

Written by: Zobiana Dillsworth

Skin Biopsies are a surgical procedure used to diagnose skin conditions (1). 

How do Skin Biopsies work?

Dermatologists prepare the affected area (usually a skin growth) by disinfecting and numbing it. They then use various tools to remove the growth; the tools they use depends on the suspected disease and the size of the growth. Once the growth is removed, the wound must be treated with stitches and bandages. The growth is sent to a medical lab to be looked at under a microscope (1). 

What are the types of Skin Biopsies?

Skin biopsy methods include shave, punch, scissors, curette, excisional, and incisional. Shaving is done with a razor-like tool, which shaves off a thin layer of the growth. Punch biopsies are done with a cookie cutter-like tool in the shape of a tube. The tool goes deep into the skin and pulls the growth out. The scissors method is done with surgical scissors; the growth is simply cut off. Curette methods use a pen-like tool with a hoop to pull the skin growth off. Excisional and incisional use scalpels to remove the growth. The excisional method removes the whole growth while incisional only removes some of it (1). 

What to do after having a Skin Biopsy?

Caring for the affected skin area is essential after a biopsy. The days following the biopsy, proper after-care procedures should be followed (2):

1. The bandage should be removed.

2. The wound should then be cleaned with mild soap and water, and the soap should be rinsed away.

3. Pat the wound dry and then cover with petroleum jelly. 

4. Recover the wound, which can be done with adhesive bandage, sterile gauze, or paper tape. 

What are some difficulties following a Skin Biopsy?

The wound could become infected if the proper after-care routine is not established.

The wound may also begin to dry out, making it itch. To avoid this, make sure to apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the area.

You may also experience an allergic reaction from the bandage type or antibiotic ointments. 

The wound may swell, bruise, or bleed. Swelling can be reduced with ice packs. If bleeding, you should apply pressure to the area for twenty seconds (2). 

References:

1. “What is a skin biopsy?” American Academy of Dermatology, 4 March 2022, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/what-is-skin-biopsy. 

2. “Skin biopsy: Dermatologist-recommended wound care.” American Academy of Dermatology, 29 November 2022, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/skin-biopsy-wound-care.

Image Source: FV Hospital

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