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[av_heading tag=’h2′ padding=’0′ heading=’Skin Biopsies’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=”]
Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas
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[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’0′ heading=’Shave Biopsy’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=” subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=”]
Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas
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• Shave biopsies are usually done to test suspicious moles or other superficial skin lesions.
• Sometimes shave biopsies are done to confirm a diagnosis, before a referral for further treatment of a skin cancer.
• The photo above shows the appearance of a shave biopsy under a microscope.

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• You may eat normally prior to the procedure.
• Continue to take your usual medications, as prescribed by your doctor.
• You will be able to drive home or use public transportation after the procedure.

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• The skin adjacent to a lesion is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area.
• The lesion is removed, and the base treated with a medication or electrocautery to stop any bleeding.
• Stitches are usually not necessary.
• The removal is not painful.
• After the procedure you may bathe normally.
• For 2 weeks after the procedure, apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment, and change the bandage daily.
• Redness, pain, swelling or a discharge from the wound may be a sign of infection.  The doctor should be informed immediately.
• After a shave biopsy a crust or scab will form. This will heal and leave a pink mark that will gradually fade.
• After the removal, there may be a residual white mark.
• There is a small chance that the lesion could grow back.
• The removal of a suspicious lesion, based on the recommendation of your dermatologist is covered by government health insurance (OHIP).
• A referral from a doctor is necessary to make your first appointment.

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[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’0′ heading=’Punch Biopsy’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=” subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=”]
Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas
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• A punch biopsy is usually performed to take a sample of skin to help in the diagnosis of a rash.
• Sometimes skin lesions such as atypical moles are tested with a punch biopsy also

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• You may eat normally prior to the procedure.
• Continue to take your usual medications, as prescribed by your doctor.
• You will be able to drive home or use public transportation after the procedure.

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• The skin in the area to be tested is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area.
• The injection stings for a few seconds. After this, there is no pain or discomfort.
• An instrument called a “punch” tool is used to remove a small circle of skin measuring 2 mm to 6 mm in diameter.
• The size of the specimen is determined by the location of the biopsy and the suspected diagnosis of your rash or skin lesions.
• As the area is numb from the anesthetic, this process is not painful.
• One to three stitches are used to close the opening.
• Antibiotic and a bandage are used to cover the wound.
• The day after surgery, the bandage should be removed and a small amount of antibiotic ointment should be be applied.  This should occur twice daily until the stitches are removed.
• Redness, pain, swelling or a discharge from the wound may be a sign of infection.  The doctor should be informed immediately.
• The stitches are removed in 5 to 10 days.
• The removal of stitches is painless.
• You may bathe, shower and do your normal activities unless the lesion that has been removed is very large and there is a risk of the wound being damaged. The doctor will inform you about this.
• The cost of a punch biopsy, done for diagnostic purposes, on the recommendation of your dermatologist, is covered by the government insurance plan (OHIP).
• A referral from a doctor is necessary to make your first appointment.

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