Information on the skin biopsy

The timing of the biopsy

Other aspects

Regions where local anaesthetics are particularly painful should be avoided as far as possible (inside hand and foot surfaces). The same applies to the skin above nerves and surface blood vessels, also to regions that are liable to produce wound infections or disturbance during the healing of wounds, such as intertriginous regions with maceration of the skin, swollen shanks with chronic venous insufficiency or areas of poorly blood circulation with arteriosclerosis. Some regions are unsuitable for biopsies because the histopathological picture is unusual and consequently particularly difficult to interpret due to the specific texture of the tissue or particular physical burdens (umbilical region, stretching side of the elbow). At the shank, likewise, the usual histopathological picture of a dermatosis can be altered as a result of additional signs of blockages. Finally, when selecting the site for a biopsy, the person’s occupation should also be taken into account. For patients who perform arduous physical work, the biopsy should whenever possible not be performed on the upper trunk; for those who work with their hands in damp environments, the biopsy should not be on the hands whenever possible.(10)

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