Indications:
Suspected neoplasia.
Nodules, ulcers or wounds that do not heal.
Vesicular or pustular lesions (after infections have been ruled out and/or treated).
Severe skin lesions that appear suddenly.
Suspected dermopathies that will require expensive, potentially dangerous (e.g. immunosuppressive) and long-term treatment.
When there has been no response to treatment, or when new lesions appear during treatment.
When the presentation suggests a disorder that is diagnosed by histopathology.
Techniques and indications:
| Technique | Indications |
| Punch | – Primary lesions that can be included in their entirety in biopsy – Alopecia (important to sample several areas, including the centre of the alopecia, the margin and areas of normal skin) |
| Incisional/excisional | – Fragile lesions (e.g. vesicles) that could rupture with the use of a punch. – Deep, ulcerated lesions where the biopsy must go deep into the subcutaneous tissue – Ulcerated lesions where the biopsy should contain a portion of normal skin |
