Skin Biopsy

What is a Skin Biopsy?

Local anesthesia involves the injection of lidocaine with epinephrine immediately adjacent to the lesion or rash being biopsied. Afterward, the area may be covered with a dressing or closed with stitches.

Why is a Skin Biopsy Needed?

A skin biopsy helps in diagnosing skin conditions by providing additional information that can’t be seen with the naked eye.

Types of Skin Biopsies

• Shave Biopsy - A shave biopsy is used for superficial suspicious lesions. A thin layer of skin is shaved off using a scalpel or razor and placed in a formalin container for evaluation by a dermatopathologist. Bleeding is typically controlled with pressure, aluminum chloride, or electrocautery.
• Saucerization Biopsy – A scoop biopsy, also known as saucerization, is a deeper form of shave biopsy used to remove lesions like benign moles. It may cause more scarring and sometimes requires stitches due to the increased depth.

• Punch Biopsy - A punch biopsy is a common procedure that removes a small, round piece of skin, usually 2-6 mm in diameter. Rashes are typically evaluated with punch biopsies, which provide a full-thickness skin sample. The wound may be closed with stitches or heal on its own if small.
• Wound Care - Skin wounds should be washed with gentle soap and water one to two times per day, moistened with petrolatum/Vaseline, and covered with a bandage until completely healed. Surgical sites and wounds from biopsies on the lower half of the body are ideally cleansed with dilute acetic acid soaks (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water dilution). Increasing pain, redness, or swelling 48 hours after treatment may be a sign of infection and warrants a return to clinic.

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