What you can get done

Ingrown toenail removal: They don't always need surgical intervention, but ingrown toenails that have been left to fester and…

 Ingrown toenail removal:They don't always need surgical intervention, but ingrown toenails that have been left to fester and don't respond to treatment can be partially or fully removed by a GP using a local anaesthetic.

It will then be protected with clean dressings until it heals and grows back. People with diabetes or circulation problems may be admitted to hospital for the surgery.

Warts and minor skin lesions:

A technique known as cryotherapy, usually involving liquid nitrogen, can be used to remove warts and minor skin lesions. Most warts disappear naturally in time and are often removed purely for cosmetic reasons. Several treatments may be required. Most skin lesions are non-cancerous, but in suspicious cases a doctor may perform a biopsy.

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Changing moles:

A mole is a pigmented and sometimes raised spot on the skin. Most are benign. The elevated part of a mole can be removed for cosmetic reasons. Some types can develop into a malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Moles that appear late in life, bleed or itch, look unusual or change should be seen by a doctor, who will remove all or part of it for further examination.

Lipomas:

These are soft fatty lumps under the skin, most commonly occurring on the shoulders, chest and back, and can be up to several centimetres wide. They are not harmful but can be removed for aesthetic reasons by a GP who offers minor surgery services using a local anaesthetic. The GP makes an incision in the skin over the lump and the procedure may leave a small scar.

Laura Slattery

Laura Slattery

Laura Slattery is an Irish Times journalist writing about media, advertising and other business topics