Doctor Discusses Treatment Options For Skin Lesions

A viewer says they have some skin lesions on their neck and back that their dermatologist is treating with liquid nitrogen. They say this treatment hurts, and they're looking for other options. Doctor Lacy Anderson shares more treatment options.

Seborrheic keratoses are benign skin lesions that are common in adults and the elderly. They are often darker colored from the surrounding skin and raised a bit. 

They may be more common in those with a family history or those who are pregnant or on hormone therapy. They are harmless and they don’t require treatment but some people want them removed because they don’t like how they look or they may become irritated by clothing.  

Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen is the most common treatment but it can burn or sting for 15 to 30 minutes afterward and will take about 7-10 days to fall off. They can also be removed with a shave procedure where the lesion is cut off. Although your doctor would numb the area before removing it, it would still hurt afterwards. It can also be treated with electrical curettage or laser treatments but these procedures may be more expensive than cryotherapy.  

All of these procedures can leave scarring as well, so be sure to talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you!  

Remember, they don’t need treatment at all, so it’s certainly your choice.