A seborrheic keratosis is a type of skin growth. These growths can be unsightly, but they are not harmful. However, in some cases, a seborrheic keratosis can be difficult to distinguish from melanoma, a very serious form of skin cancer.
While seborrheic keratosis isn’t dangerous, you should never ignore new or changing growths on your skin. It can be hard to tell the difference between harmless and potentially harmful lesions — something that appears to be seborrheic keratosis could, in fact, be melanoma.
When Should I Get It Checked
Have a healthcare provider check your skin if:
- there’s a new growth
- there’s a change in the appearance of an existing growth
- there’s only one growth (seborrheic keratosis usually appears as several)
- a growth has an unusual colour, such as purple, blue, or reddish-black
- a growth has irregular borders (blurred or jagged)
- a growth is irritated or painful
Multiple lesions may appear over time, although initially there may be just one. Growths can be found on various parts of the body, including the:
- chest
- scalp
- shoulders
- back
- abdomen
- face
Growths are usually round or oval in shape and are typically brown, but they can also be yellow, white, or black.
How does it work?
Our private treatments are carried out by highly experienced local GPs and Associate Clinicians. They have a specific interest in dermatology within general practice and extensive expertise in minor surgery. You will receive a single appointment, which includes both consultation and the procedure.
The price for skin tag removal is fixed and includes treatment at our modern clinics. This covers all consulting and surgical facilities, nursing staff, consumables (including use of a surgical treatment room, surgical instruments, local anaesthetic, and dressings), as well as biopsy assessment of lesions where appropriate, and a follow-up letter.
Your Appointment Steps
1. Before your appoint
We will send you a confirmation email or letter, directions to the clinic, your payment receipt and a consent form which you should read but which you do not need to sign until you are certain you wish to proceed with the removal of your lesion.
2. Consultation
Your appointment includes a consultation with the clinician followed by the procedure, where it is agreed to proceed. The clinician will discuss your general health and medication. They will explain the procedure, whether there is a likelihood of recurrence and scarring, and how to prevent infection.
3. Treatment
If you wish to proceed, you will sign a consent form. You will be awake throughout the operation and can ask questions. You will feel an initial sting from the local anaesthetic injection. The anaesthetic will wear off after a few hours and you can take paracetamol (not aspirin) if you have any mild discomfort.
4. The Procedure
Clinicians use a variety of techniques to remove skin lesions including excision and cautery. The procedure sometimes involves stitches or sutures. The clinician will advise you when you will need to make an appointment at your own surgery to have the stitches removed.
5. Afterwards
Although it is unlikely that your lesion represents a danger to your health, we may send it for examination and let you and your GP know the result as soon as we receive it. We will also send you a patient satisfaction questionnaire which we hope you will complete.
