Minor procedures and skin biopsies in Torrance

Who it’s for

Adults with a skin growth, cyst, changing mole or painful external hemorrhoid

Numbing

Local numbing medicine is used for most procedures

Visit length

Varies — ask when booking

Tell us first

If you take blood thinners, have allergies, or are or might be pregnant

Insurance

Most visits billed to insurance — call to confirm coverage for your procedure

In-office procedures

• Skin biopsy: removing a small sample, or all, of a spot so a lab can examine it under a microscope.
• Mole excision: removing a mole that is changing, irritated or suspicious, sometimes closed with stitches.
• Cyst removal: removing a cyst that is large, tender or bothersome.
• Lesion destruction: treating warts and certain noncancerous growths without cutting them out, using methods such as freezing (cryotherapy).
• Thrombosed external hemorrhoid care: removing a painful blood clot from an external hemorrhoid under local anesthesia, when appropriate.

If you’d like a mole, wart or skin tag removed for appearance, see mole, wart and skin tag removal in our aesthetics practice.

When a mole or spot should be checked

Moles are very common, but a mole that looks unusual or changes should be checked, and a biopsy lets a lab see whether a spot is skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology’s ABCDEs describe warning signs:

• A, Asymmetry: one half of the spot is unlike the other half.
• B, Border: an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined edge.
• C, Color: colors that vary, such as tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red or blue.
• D, Diameter: melanomas are usually larger than 6 millimeters (about 1/4 inch) when found, but they can be smaller.
• E, Evolving: a spot that looks different from the others or is changing in size, shape or color.

Also point out any spot that is new, itching or bleeding. Depending on what he finds, Dr. Shin may recommend a biopsy in the office or refer you to a dermatologist.

Painful thrombosed external hemorrhoids

When a blood clot forms in an external hemorrhoid, it can be very painful and feel like a hard, tender lump near the anus. According to a review in American Family Physician, removing the clot within the first two to three days of symptoms leads to quicker relief and a lower chance of it coming back, so call promptly.

For other hemorrhoid procedures, we refer you to a colorectal surgeon, and for a colonoscopy, to a gastroenterology specialist. If you have rectal bleeding, see a doctor so more serious causes can be checked.

What to expect

1. Exam

   Dr. Shin examines the area, explains your options and risks, and answers your questions.

2. Numbing

   The area is cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic.

3. Procedure

   The sample, growth, cyst or clot is removed or treated. Tissue is usually sent to a lab.

4. Aftercare

   You go home with a bandage and care instructions. Stitches, if used, usually come out in about 3 to 14 days.

Caring for the area afterward

• If you have stitches, keep the area covered for the first 24 to 48 hours, then gently wash with soap and water and pat dry.
• Keep the area clean and dry, and limit hard activity that could reopen the wound.
• After freezing treatment, a blister and scab are common. The scab usually falls off on its own in 1 to 3 weeks, so don’t pick it.
• Ask before taking aspirin or ibuprofen, which can increase bleeding.