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Mole Removal Dublin & Ireland  Moles are extremely common skin lesions that are also termed beauty marks or birthmarks. People of any skin tone can have moles. Known medically as a nevus (plural: nevi), the large majority of moles are completely harmless and require no medical intervention. However, any nevus has the potential to be an indicator of skin cancer. For this reason, you should always have new moles examined by a dermatologist. Moles that have changed in size or shape also need professional dermatologic inspection. Mole removal, whether for cancer screening or cosmetic preference, is typically simple and straightforward. Types of Moles There are well over a dozen types of moles. It is virtually impossible to distinguish each mole type without an expert examination. In some cases, removal and biopsy - which involves inspection under a microscope - are required to determine the category of mole in question. However, there are two broad classifications of moles. Congenital moles are moles present at birth. So-called beauty marks and birthmarks usually fit into this category. Moles of this type may begin to grow from two to five weeks after birth. Congenital moles often stay small and may be no more than a speck. However, a congenital mole can also cover a large area of the body - for example, an entire buttock or most of a limb. Although congenital moles appear early in life, they still require surveillance. A person with one or more congenital mole(s) should visit their dermatologist regularly for screening. Such screening ensures that the mole(s) are not changing, as a change in colour, shape, size, and other characteristics is a possible sign of malignancy or cancer. The other major type of mole is an acquired mole. These moles manifest once a person is out of infancy. Examples of acquired moles include freckles and other lesions caused by sun exposure. Almost everyone has at least one acquired mole somewhere on their body, but people with more than 50 moles may have a higher risk of skin cancer than the general population. Mole Characteristics As discussed above, a mole can be any size or shape. Moles also have varying colours. Many people think of a mole as an area of increased pigmentation, but a mole may also be hypopigmented, or lighter than the surrounding skin. Furthermore, some moles are not even visible on the skin. These lesions include nevi deep in the connective tissue or blood vessels. Moles can also be present on any part of the body. While freckles and other lesions on the face are most visible, moles often appear in “hidden” areas. Such areas include skin creases or between the toes. Moles can even form inside the mouth. Suspicious Moles It takes a medical professional and diagnostic tests to determine with certainty whether a mole is potentially dangerous. However, there are some features that should prompt you to visit a dermatologist immediately for a mole check. These features include: A mole with an asymmetrical shape. In other words, the two halves do not match. These include moles that are not perfect circles or ovals and moles with irregular borders. Moles with inconsistent colour. These include moles that do not have a uniform colour throughout, multicoloured moles, and moles with a colour that has changed over time. Enlarging moles. Any mole that has exhibited growth should be checked. Moles over 6 mm in diameter are of particular concern. Other changes in appearance and nature that should be investigated include moles shifting from flat to raised, bleeding or crusting, and turning black. Mole Removal Dublin & Ireland Dermatologists may remove moles for further investigation, such as during a biopsy, or because the patient has cosmetic concerns. There are several mole removal methods available, and the removal process usually entails minimal discomfort. In the case of a biopsy, the dermatologist will determine the appropriate procedure to remove your mole for analysis. Many suspicious moles are removed through shave biopsy. This biopsy method removes only the topmost layer of skin. Your dermatologist will give you medication to numb pain and control bleeding before the biopsy. The biopsy itself is quick, and healing time is typically brief. There are several other biopsy methods available, but these are reserved for moles located in deeper tissue. Skin biopsies can almost always be performed in your dermatologist’s clinic without the need for hospitalisation. People frequently choose to have moles removed for aesthetic reasons. If you have a mole or moles that you would like to get rid of, you should first consult with a dermatologist. The size and nature of the mole largely determine the success of the removal process. For example, it may be relatively easy to have a small, lightly-coloured mole removed, while a large, dark birthmark could require surgery. Besides surgery, dermatologists use several less invasive methods for mole removal. A chemical peel is one example. In this procedure, the dermatologist uses a weak acid to cause controlled damage to the upper skin layers. These layers then peel away, revealing rejuvenated skin. Chemical peels can be repeated when necessary if interspersed with a healing interval. Cryotherapy is also a possibility for mole removal. This procedure is similar to that used for the removal of warts. The mole is frozen with liquid nitrogen or another chemical and then removed. Cryotherapy generally requires a short healing time and leaves minimal scarring. Recent medical advances have given dermatologists even more tools for mole elimination. Laser therapy is one of these breakthroughs. A series of laser treatments delivered by your dermatologist can often eradicate unsightly moles, even in sensitive locations. Dermabrasion is another minimally-invasive technique for mole removal. During this procedure, the top layer of the skin is carefully scraped to remove surface moles and other blemishes. Dermabrasion is safe and effective for many types of moles. Speak with Your Dermatologist Each patient is unique, and every situation is different. It is impossible to know the appropriate treatment for your suspicious or undesired moles without consulting a local dermatologist. Contact a dermatologist now to learn more.

If you decide to go privately, you can book with the hospital listed. You can either book and pay the provider later, book and pay a deposit online now directly to the hospital or book and pay in full online now. The provider will then be in contact with you directly to make an early appointment with one of their consultants. Once he/she has seen you they will advise as to the timing of any surgery. The surgery price shown includes - All medical and professional costs during your inpatient stay - A consultation before your operation and after your operation - Semi private accommodation A GP referral letter is required when you attend to see a consultant.

Cortisone Injections & Knee Injections  If you have been suffering from persistent or debilitating knee pain, you should consider asking your doctor about the possibility of a cortisone knee injection. Whether your knee pain is from an injury, most types of arthritis, bursitis, or even an unknown cause, an injection of cortisone may be able to provide you with effective and long-lasting relief. Here is more information about cortisone knee injections, including the risks and potential benefits. Causes of Knee Pain Chronic, or lasting, knee pain can have any number of causes. Perhaps you twisted your knee during a run or game of football. Maybe you have just begun an exercise programme, and your knee is giving you persistent trouble. You could be suffering from an episode of gout, tendinitis, or arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or psoriatic arthritis. A cortisone knee injection may be able to help with pain control in each of the above cases. Along with pain control, a cortisone injection may also assist with swelling, heat, and redness in your knee. Before proceeding with a cortisone knee injection, your physician may first ask you to try more conservative measures. These efforts include applying ice to your knee, giving your knee a few days of rest, and using non-prescription anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. What is a Cortisone injection? Cortisone is a synthesised hormone. While it is similar to the cortisol hormone produced by your body, cortisone has an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation can occur when your body is sick or injured and causes swelling, increased temperature, reddened skin, and pain. Inflammation is the result of a hyper-reaction in your immune system. In other words, your immune cells attack healthy cells instead of harmful microorganisms. Cortisone inhibits this immune response. When administered by a physician, cortisone is generally safe. However, some side effects are possible, especially with repeated and prolonged use. These side effects include increased susceptibility to infections, puffiness of the face, increased blood sugar levels, bone integrity problems, and damage to nearby cartilage. What Can You Expect from a knee injection? If you and your doctor decide together to proceed with a cortisone knee injection, you can have the injection in your doctor’s office. Your physician will clean your knee and inject the cortisone into the appropriate location. The cortisone often contains an anaesthetic to minimise pain from the injection. Your doctor may use an x-ray to help guide the injection. Follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions precisely. They may recommend icing your knee, and they might want you to follow up in a few days or to collect blood samples. You will likely notice relief from your knee pain in as little as 48 hours, and the effects can last for several months. It is important to realise that cortisone injections cannot be given too often due to potential side effects. Generally, your physician will limit you to an injection every few months. Also, while cortisone is often effective for pain control, it will not resolve the underlying cause of your pain if your discomfort is due to a factor such as osteoarthritis or a major injury, like a torn knee meniscus. Your doctor can recommend more definitive treatments for these conditions.