ELECTROCOAGULATION

What are the indications for the procedure?

• soft fibromas
• seborrheic keratosis
• sebaceous hyperplasia
• viral warts of hands and feet
• flat warts
• water warts (molluscum contagiosum)
• solar keratosis
• cutaneous horn
• basal cell carcinoma (not in all cases)
• dilated blood vessels
• spider angiomas

What are the contraindications for the procedure?

• blood clotting disorders
• cardiac pacemaker
• circulation disorders
• diabetes (limited wound healing)
• pregnancy

What does the procedure look like?

The procedure may last from just a few minutes to more than an hour, depending on the extent of the skin lesions. Before the procedure the lesions are carefully examined by a physician, who then makes a decision whether they qualify for an electrocoagulation treatment. The procedure itself involves touching the affected area with a special electrode.

It should be kept in mind that electrocoagulation is not entirely pain-free, and the sensation that occurs during the procedure depends greatly on individual sensitivity to pain, as well as on the size of the lesion and its site (you can experience slight tingling or intense warmth).

What are the recommendations after the procedure?

Immediately after the procedure some swelling, redness of the skin, bruising or pain may be observed. They are perfectly normal reactions which should pass in a couple of hours. A small scab which usually forms at the site of the lesion disappears within a few days. On no account should the scab be scratched, as it may increase the risk of colouration, discolouration or leave a scar.