Overview

A skin biopsy is a routine test that helps us to diagnose skin conditions. A biopsy is when we remove a small sample of tissue and examine it under a microscope.

It is done under a local anaesthetic. This is a medicine that makes a specific area of your body numb and pain-free but does not put you to sleep.

Benefits of a skin biopsy

Having a skin biopsy helps us get the information we need to make a correct diagnosis. We can also use a biopsy as a treatment to remove some growths on the skin, such as moles.

Risks of a skin biopsy

We will talk to you about the risks of a skin biopsy before your procedure.

Short-term risks include:

• infection
• bleeding
• swelling

You will have a small scar where we take the biopsy.

Giving your permission (consent)

We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment.

If you decide to have a skin biopsy, we ask you to sign a consent form. This says that you agree to have the procedure and understand what it involves.

If you would like more information about our consent process, please speak to a member of staff caring for you.

Before your skin biopsy

If you plan to travel within 2 weeks of your biopsy, please tell us. This affects the arrangements for removing your stitches (if you have them).

Some people feel light-headed after their biopsy. For your safety, you must not drive to your appointment. Bring a friend or family member who can help you travel after you leave hospital.

You can eat and drink as normal before your appointment.

Medicines

We need to know if you take some medicines because they can increase the risks of bleeding and bruising. Tell us if you take:

• antiplatelet medicines to prevent blood clots (such as aspirin or clopidogrel)
• anticoagulant medicines to prevent blood clots (such as warfarin or rivaroxaban)

Do not stop taking any of these medicines.

Please also tell us if you have any allergies to medicines, including local anaesthetic.

If you take warfarin

If you take warfarin, visit your local warfarin clinic 2 to 3 days before your surgery date and have your international normalised ratio (INR) checked. INR measures how long it takes your blood to clot.

If your INR is below 2 or above 3.5, please contact us. We might need to rearrange your biopsy date.

During your skin biopsy

We will inject local anaesthetic into the area where we are taking the biopsy. This may sting for a few seconds, but then the area becomes numb.

We will take a sample of tissue by cutting or scraping your skin. Depending on your situation, we might have to take more than 1 tissue sample. You might feel pulling or pressure on the area while we take the biopsy, but this should not be painful.

After we take the sample, we might close your wound with stitches.

It takes up to 30 minutes to get each tissue sample.

After your skin biopsy

Your nurse will put a dressing on your wound and explain how to look after it.

If you have stitches, you will need to get them removed at your GP surgery. Your nursing team will give you more information about how to do this and how many stiches need to be removed. We’ll give you a letter to pass on to your GP surgery.

You can leave hospital as soon as you feel well enough. You can eat and drink as normal.

Follow-up appointments

We will arrange a follow-up appointment to explain the results of your skin biopsy. It can take up to 6 weeks to get your skin biopsy results. If you have not heard from us after 6 weeks, contact us.

If needed, we might give you a follow-up appointment on the day of your biopsy.