Benign Skin Lesions

Benign skin lesions are extremely common and include conditions such as moles, skin tags, cysts, lipomas, warts and seborrhoeic keratoses.

Most benign skin lesions are harmless. However, some may become irritated, uncomfortable, inflamed or cosmetically concerning. In some cases, lesions can also resemble skin cancer, making professional assessment important.

Common Types of Benign Skin Lesions

Common benign skin lesions include:

• Moles
• Skin tags
• Cysts
• Lipomas
• Warts and verrucas
• Seborrhoeic keratoses

Some lesions remain stable for many years, while others can gradually change in size, shape or appearance.

When Should a Skin Lesion Be Assessed?

You should consider seeking assessment if a skin lesion:

• Changes in colour, shape or size
• Becomes painful, itchy or inflamed
• Bleeds or crusts
• Does not heal
• Causes cosmetic concern
• Appears suddenly or grows quickly

Even harmless lesions can sometimes become uncomfortable or difficult to distinguish from more serious skin conditions.

How Skin Lesions Are Diagnosed

A dermatologist or specialist clinician will usually examine the lesion closely using dermatoscopy. This involves a handheld magnifying device that allows the structure and pigmentation of the skin to be assessed in detail.

In some cases, removal or biopsy may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type of lesion, symptoms and whether removal is medically or cosmetically appropriate.

LivingCare provides:

• Cryotherapy for selected lesions such as warts and actinic keratoses
• Surgical removal of cysts, lipomas, moles and skin tags
• Dermatology assessment for suspicious or changing lesions

Some lesions may simply require monitoring rather than treatment.