What happens at a skin biopsy

Question

Do you get an anaesthetic or is it just done and thats it. Have to have one on my neck next Thursday and wish to know the procedure.

Answer 1

Don't worry, you should get plenty of anaesthetic but different techniques are used in different situations. Typically the biopsies are obtained using local anesthetics.

    * A shave biopsy takes a thin slice off the top of the skin and can be used to remove superficial abnormal areas (lesions).

    * A punch biopsy takes a core (a small cylindrical fragment of tissue from the area of interest) and can be used to remove small lesions as well as diagnose rashes and other conditions.

    * Excisional biopsies are usually larger and deeper and are used to completely remove an abnormal area of skin such as a skin cancer.