Skin biopsies, treatments with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), and intralesional injections are some of the most commonly performed procedures during dermatological examinations.
Skin biopsy is a minor surgical procedure which involves the removal of a small piece of skin under local anesthesia to obtain diagnostic information.
Cryotherapy is used to treat/remove/destroy numerous benign, precancerous, and cancerous skin conditions. Some of these include warts, sunspots, actinic keratoses, and superficial skin cancers.
Intralesional (and intramuscular) steroid injections are often performed to decrease pain, swelling and inflammation.
These procedures/treatments may be associated with certain side effects and complications, which include, but are not limited to the following
BIOPSY |
CRYOTHERAPY |
INJECTION
|
Bleeding |
Pain |
Pain and hypersensitivity |
Pain |
Infection |
Infection |
Infection |
Redness and erythema |
Bruising |
Change of pigmentation |
Blister and scab formation |
Abscess |
Nerve damage |
Discoloration |
Discoloration |
Recurrence of growth |
Nerve damage |
Skin atrophy |
Altered skin sensation |
Altered skin sensation |
|
Scarring |
Scarring |
|