Mole, Cyst, Wart & Skin Tag Removal

Overview

Mole, Cyst, Wart And Skin Tag Removal

Skin lesions are lumps or bumps on your skin, such as moles, cysts, warts or skin tags. Most skin lesions are harmless and don’t need to be removed. But your doctor may recommend you have a lesion removed if it’s causing you significant problems, or if there’s any concern it could be cancerous.

You can have lesions removed surgically if they’re bothering you or you don’t like the way they look.

The most common cause of a skin lesion is an infection on or in the skin. One example is a wart. The wart virus is passed from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact. A systemic infection, an infection that occurs throughout your body, such as chicken pox or shingles, can cause skin lesions all over your body. 

Some skin lesions are hereditary, such as moles and freckles. Birthmarks are lesions that exist at the time of birth. Others can be the result of an allergic reaction or sensitivity caused by conditions like poor circulation or diabetes.

Two categories of skin lesions exist: primary and secondary. Primary skin lesions are abnormal skin conditions present at birth or acquired over one’s lifetime. Birthmarks are primary skin lesions. Other types include the following.

BLISTERS

Small blisters are also called vesicles. These are skin lesions filled with a clear fluid less than 1/2 centimeter in size. Larger vesicles are called blisters or bullae. These lesions can be the result of: 

• sunburns

• steam burns

• insect bites

• friction from shoes or clothes

• viral infections

MACULE

Examples of macules are freckles and flat moles. They are small spots that are typically brown, red, or white. They are usually about 1 centimeter in diameter.

NODULE

This is a solid, raised skin lesion. Most nodules are more than 2 centimeters (cm) in diameter.

PAPULE

A papule is a raised lesion. Most papules develop with many other papules. A patch of papules or nodules is called a plaque. Plaques are common in people with psoriasis.

PUSTULE

Pustules are small lesions filled with pus. They are typically the result of acne, boils, or impetigo.

RASH

Rashes are lesions that cover small or large areas of skin. They can be caused by an allergic reaction. A common allergic reaction rash occurs when someone touches poison ivy.

WHEALS

This is a skin lesion caused by an allergic reaction. Hives are an example of wheals. Secondary skin lesions are the result of irritated or manipulated primary skin lesions. For example, if someone scratches a mole until it bleeds, the resulting lesion, a crust, is now a secondary skin lesion.

The most common secondary skin lesions include:

CRUST

A crust, or a scab, is created when dried blood forms over a scratched and irritated skin lesion.

ULCER

Ulcers are typically caused by a bacterial infection or physical trauma. They are often accompanied by poor circulation.

SCALE

Scales are patches of skin cells that build up and then flake off the skin.

SCAR

Some scratches, cuts, and scrapes will leave scars that are not replaced with healthy, normal skin. Instead, the skin returns as a thick, raised scar. This scar is called a keloid.

SKIN ATROPHY

Skin atrophy occurs when areas of your skin become thin and wrinkled from overuse of topical steroids or poor circulation.