Treatments for lumps and bumps

As we get older, many of us will develop ´pigmented warts´ (seborrhoeic keratosis).These often appear on the trunk, sometimes in large numbers, but are also common on the face.Although they are named ´wart´,they are not contagious (unlike viral warts and verrucas on hands and feet).

Seborrhoeic keratosis can be tiny or grow up to two inches across. They have a rough and warty surface ('stuck-on' appearing) and are considered cosmetically unattractive. They may thicken and darken with time.

At times, even for GPs seborrhoeic keratosis can be difficult to distinguish from sinister pigmented lesions such as a melanoma skin cancer. If you have the slightest concern, come and see one of our Dermatologists in clinic for an appropriate diagnosis. They will carry out a thorough clinical inspection and examination under the dermatoscope. A dermatoscope is special magnifying lamp with a polarised light used by Dermatologists.

As differential diagnoses of any pigmented lesion includes dysplastic moles and pigmented skin cancers, accurate diagnosis by a specially trained Dermatologist is important. For further information on this see Moles, Sun Damage & Skin Cancer.

A non-pigmented variant of seborrhoeic keratosis is the so-calledstucco keratosis: small dry grey 'stuck-on' lesions often found on lower legs and feet.

Another variant of seborrhoeic keratosis is Dermatosis Papulosis Nigra. Dermatosis papulosa nigra are multiple raised, brown lesions of 1-5 mm diameter in black skin (more frequent in women than men).

The lesions are very common (about 35% of African-Americans are reported to suffer with Dermatosis Papulosis Nigra). They usually start cropping up in adolescence and then increase in number and size with age. Dermatosis Papulosis Nigra occurs mainly on face (cheeks and forehead), but can also appear on chest and neck.

Even though benign, you might want to remove pigmented lesions for cosmetic reasons (e.g. they're unsightly or they catch on your clothes). Small pigmented lesions (up to approximately 5mm, i.e. the back of a pencil) can be removed with ACP by one our Medical Aestheticians.

Bigger lesions might have to be removed surgically by one of our doctors under local anaesthesia (curettage, i.e. ´surgical scraping´).

These are benign lesions on the skin, caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They can take on a wide variety of different shapes and forms. Examples are ´warty´, rough-surfaced growths on the hands or lesions that tend to merge together and grow inwards on the soles of the feet, which may make walking uncomfortable. All these are of viral nature.

We offer different forms of treatment for viral warts such as clinical 'freezing' (far more powerful than home 'freezing' cans!) and paints containing high concentrations of salicylic and lactic acid. Stubborn lesions might need curettage & cautery ('surgical scraping & electrosurgery') performed under local anaesthesia by one of our doctors.

´Plane warts´ (verruca plana) are tiny flat lesions on the skin. They have a smooth, skin coloured surface and often arise in multiples on face, hands or shins. Plane warts may 'koebnerise', which means that trauma (e.g. scratching or shaving) may lead to spreading from one part of the skin to other parts.

´Filiform warts´(verruca filiformis) are less common.They are long, thin lesions coming out of the skin like a tiny hanging twig. They are skin coloured and often appear on the face.

Plane and filiform warts are easy to remove with ACP. Just call our reception to arrange an appointment with one of our Medical Aestheticians.