DPN & Seborrheic Keratosis Removal in Jammu

Is DPN the same as a mole?

No.

DPN growths may look like tiny moles, but they are generally benign epidermal growths rather than melanocytic naevi.

A patient may describe the lesions as:

• Small black moles
• Brown facial bumps
• Tiny skin tags
• Raised freckles
• Small wart-like growths

Because several different conditions can appear similar, the diagnosis should be confirmed before cosmetic removal.

A changing, irregular, bleeding or unusually coloured lesion should not automatically be labelled DPN.

Is DPN dangerous or contagious?

DPN is generally benign and is not contagious.

It does not spread from person to person through:

• Touching
• Sharing towels
• Cosmetics
• Shaving
• Food
• Poor hygiene

Treatment is usually elective unless a lesion becomes repeatedly irritated or the diagnosis is uncertain.

Is seborrheic keratosis the same as seborrheic dermatitis?

No. These are entirely different conditions.

Seborrheic keratosis

A benign raised skin growth that may have a waxy or stuck-on appearance.

Seborrheic dermatitis

An inflammatory condition that produces redness, itching, flaking and dandruff-like scale.

Removing a seborrheic keratosis does not treat seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff treatment does not remove a seborrheic keratosis.

Are seborrheic keratoses cancerous?

Ordinary seborrheic keratoses are benign.

The problem is that some seborrheic keratoses can resemble:

• Melanoma
• Basal-cell carcinoma
• Squamous-cell carcinoma
• Actinic keratosis
• A mole
• A wart

A dermatologist can often diagnose a typical lesion through examination. When a growth looks unusual or resembles skin cancer, it may need shave removal, curettage or biopsy so that tissue can be examined under a microscope.

Which changes require medical assessment?

Arrange a dermatology consultation when a growth:

• Appears suddenly
• Grows quickly
• Becomes very dark
• Develops several colours
• Bleeds without repeated friction
• Becomes painful
• Forms an ulcer or non-healing sore
• Has an irregular border
• Looks different from the other growths
• Changes noticeably
• Becomes persistently itchy
• Has an uncertain diagnosis

A sudden appearance of many new growths also deserves assessment rather than immediate cosmetic removal.

Does every DPN or seborrheic keratosis need removal?

No.

Removal may not be required when the growth is:

• Clearly benign
• Small
• Stable
• Painless

• Not irritated
• Not troubling the patient

Removal may be considered when it:

• Causes cosmetic concern
• Catches during shaving
• Rubs against jewellery
• Catches on clothing
• Becomes repeatedly inflamed
• Itches or bleeds through friction
• Interferes with skincare or makeup
• Needs laboratory examination

The decision to remove benign lesions is personal and should take into account scarring, pigment change, treatment cost and the possibility of developing new lesions later.

Why might a biopsy be recommended?

A biopsy or histopathological examination may be recommended when a lesion:

• Has an unusual appearance
• Is larger or darker than the others
• Changes rapidly
• Bleeds without an obvious reason
• Has irregular pigmentation
• Cannot be confidently distinguished from a mole or skin cancer
• Returns in an unusual way after treatment

Destructive treatments such as cautery or cryotherapy may not leave an adequate specimen for laboratory examination. A suspicious lesion should therefore be assessed before it is destroyed.

How can DPN be removed?

Published treatment options for DPN include:

• Low-intensity electrodesiccation
• Electrocautery
• Light curettage
• Snip or shave removal
• Cryotherapy in selected cases
• Selected laser procedures

No single technique is ideal for every patient. Treatment should be selected according to skin tone, lesion size, number, location, cost and risk of pigmentation.

The exact method offered by Aastha Skin Centre is decided after examination.

What is electrodesiccation or electrocautery?

Electrodesiccation uses controlled electrical energy to dry or destroy a selected superficial growth.

A typical procedure may involve:

• Cleansing the skin
• Applying or injecting local anaesthetic
• Treating the lesion with a fine electrode
• Removing loose tissue when required
• Controlling minor bleeding
• Applying suitable aftercare

Small comparison studies have found electrodesiccation to be effective for DPN, with results broadly comparable to curettage and selected laser treatments. Hyperpigmentation was among the common adverse outcomes.

What is curettage?

Curettage uses a small surgical instrument called a curette to gently scrape away a suitable superficial growth.

It may be performed:

• Alone
• After local anaesthesia
• With electrodesiccation
• After another treatment has softened or destroyed the lesion

A small controlled DPN trial reported high average clearance with curettage, although the study involved only ten patients and cannot predict an individual patient’s outcome.

Growths are examined before destruction to reduce the risk of treating a suspicious lesion as harmless DPN or seborrheic keratosis.

Care is provided under Dr. Cheena Langer, MBBS, MD Dermatology, Consultant Dermatologist.

The risk of dark marks, light patches and visible scarring is considered before the removal method is selected.

Patients with numerous facial lesions may be advised to begin with a limited area rather than aggressive full-face treatment.

Atypical lesions may be removed in a way that preserves tissue for microscopic examination.

DPN and seborrheic keratosis removal are available at both Karan Nagar and Paloura.

Procedure cost depends on:

• Number of lesions
• Lesion size
• Face, neck or body location
• Removal technique
• Anaesthesia
• One session or staged treatment
• Need for a test area
• Dressing requirements
• Need for histopathology
• Follow-up care

Exact pricing is provided after assessment. Removing a few isolated bumps requires a different plan from treating numerous DPN lesions across the face and neck.