Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Seborrhoeic keratosis

A seborrhoeic keratosis is a common, benign skin growth that looks stuck onto the skin. Treatment is usually unnecessary, but a new, bleeding or changing lesion must be assessed.

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A seborrhoeic keratosis is a common, benign skin growth that looks stuck onto the skin. Treatment is usually unnecessary, but a new, bleeding or changing lesion must be assessed.

  • A sharply defined lesion that appears to sit on or be stuck onto the skin.
  • A smooth, waxy, scaly, rough or wart-like surface.
  • Do not scratch, cut, burn or use caustic products to remove the lesion yourself.
  • Temporarily protect an irritated lesion from friction from clothing or jewellery.
  • Make an appointment for a new dark lesion that grows rapidly or is clearly different from the others.
  • For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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Further reading

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W
WartsCommon warts are benign, rough skin bumps caused by skin types of human papillomavirus, mainly on hands and feet. They often disappear on their own; treat them only if troublesome, and have a bleeding, rapidly changing, dark, painful or uncertain area assessed before using a wart treatment.
W
Warts in childrenWarts are common in children and usually disappear on their own as the immune system clears skin HPV. Treat only for pain or clear difficulties, avoid unnecessarily painful or aggressive methods, and have uncertain, bleeding, rapidly growing or anogenital areas assessed carefully.
B
Basal cell carcinomaBasal cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer that usually grows slowly and almost never spreads to other parts of the body. Without treatment, however, it can grow further and damage surrounding tissue.