Removal of benign skin changes

Benign skin changes are removed under local anesthesia, most often when they cause discomfort, pain or itching, or vary in size and color, but can also be removed for aesthetic reasons.

Moles are benign skin changes that are often present from birth but can also appear later in life. They are usually brown to black in color, of various diameters. Although benign, moles can be a reason to see a doctor if their number is higher than usual.

Keratoses are changes on the skin yellowish or brown in color, which occur when the cells in the surface layer of the skin become excessively enlarged. They can appear in large numbers, cause itching and redness, and are rough to the touch. Parents often confuse them with moles, which, as a natural phenomenon, should not be touched. However, keratoses are not a problem that goes away on its own, they can grow over time and form a patch on the skin. The best aesthetic result is achieved when the keratosis is removed as soon as possible, so it is best to recognize and remove them in time. Keratoses cannot be removed with creams and ointments, but require an intervention of a specialist. The most effective methods for removing keratoses are surgery or radio waves.

Cysts on the skin can occur when the glands become clogged or old cells accumulate on the skin. The body normally rejects those cells and creates new ones. At first, cysts may look like pimples, and pus can often be squeezed out of them, which often leads to infections, redness and itching.

Atheromas or sebaceous cysts are painless bumps on the skin that occur due to blockage of the sebaceous glands. Fat that cannot reach the surface of the skin accumulates in a sac that grows over time. This white sebaceous mass can be squeezed out of the cyst, but this does not solve the problem, on the contrary, it can lead to an infection. For a permanent solution to the problem without recurrence, it is necessary to remove the cyst completely surgically.

Lipomas are benign tumors of adipose tissue. If they occur in large numbers, that condition is called lipomatosis. They are removed surgically.

MD Irena Maric

The author of this text is a specialist in pediatric surgery and a subspecialist in urology. She obtained her professional degrees in prominent regional and international institutions. Her career dedicated to treating children at the highest level of quality was built in children's clinics throughout the region, Europe and the USA, including the Clinical Center of Montenegro, Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and the Anderson Center of Excellence in Cincinnati, USA.