Our Services

Lacerations, abrasions, burns, and puncture wounds are common in the outpatient setting. Because wounds can quickly become infected, the most important aspect of treating a minor wound is irrigation and cleaning. Occlusion of the wound is key to preventing contamination. Suturing, if required, can be completed up to 24 hours after the trauma occurs, depending on the wound site. Tissue adhesives are equally effective for low-tension wounds with linear edges that can be evenly approximated. Although patients are often instructed to keep their wounds covered and dry after suturing, they can get wet within the first 24 to 48 hours without increasing the risk of infection. Tetanus toxoid should be administered as soon as possible to patients who have not received a booster in the past 10 years. Superficial mild wound infections can be treated with topical agents, whereas deeper mild and moderate infections should be treated with oral antibiotics. Most severe infections, and moderate infections in high-risk patients, require initial parenteral antibiotics. 

Our Family physicians often treat patients with minor wounds, such as simple lacerations, abrasions, bites, and burns. 

What Are Skin Lesions?

Skin Lesions are bumps such as moles, cysts, warts, or skin tags. Most are benign (non-cancerous), but they can be painful, unsightly or restrict movement; you may want to have them removed. Most skin lesions do not cause serious problems, but you may want to have them removed for practical or cosmetic reasons.

Moles

A mole is a spot on the skin that is usually round or oval in shape. It may be small or large and range in color (brown, pink, red, or black). A skin mole may be flat, or it may be raised.

The skin mole is referred to in medical terms as a nevus. Skin moles are extremely common; one may find moles on any part of the body. A skin mole can be removed using several different methods.

Cyst

A cyst is generally formed on the surface of an organ (can also develop on various internal organs). Most cysts are harmless (benign). They are usually, filled with air, infected fluids or semi-solid substances such as sebum.

A cyst may be caused by a defect during fetal development, an infection, or some unknown reason. Many people may notice small, hard lumps under their forearms or wrists, for example. These lumps are a form of cyst called a sebaceous cyst. A lump in the wrist may be a ganglion cyst. Some people develop a cyst on their vocal cords. It is not unusual to discover a cyst under one’s scalp or face.

While a cyst may not be harmful or cancerous, it can be extremely painful. Surgical intervention may be necessary if the cyst does not drain naturally.

Warts

Warts are small lumps that often develop on the skin of the hands, feet, genital, and anal area. They vary in appearance and may develop singly or in clusters. Its usually a small, non-cancerous tumor that grows on top of the skin. Warts often resemble a solid blister or a cauliflower and can seem either very light or very dark compared to the surrounding skin. Warts are usually painless but can cause burning or itching.

Warts are caused by a viral infection called the human papillomavirus virus (HPV). The HPV is contagious and can be passed from person to person by direct or indirect contact. The virus can also spread from one body location to another. The virus enters the body through an area of skin that is cracked, peeling, or moist. However, not everyone with HPV develops warts.

There are many kinds of warts, including:

• Common warts usually grow on the fingers or the backs of the hands and are sometimes called “seed warts”
• Flat warts most seen on the face and forehead of an infected person. They can occur in large numbers, with many warts clustered together.
• Plantar warts grow on the pressure points on the bottom of the feet, and large numbers of these warts may cause difficulty with walking, running, jumping, and even standing. These warts may look like callous, thus, it is important to get a doctor’s diagnosis.
• Genital warts grow on the genitals, in the pubic area, between the thighs, and inside the vagina and anal canal. They are transmitted through sexual activity.

Sebaceous cyst

These are round cysts filled with keratin, which is a protein produced by skin cells that gives strength and flexibility. The cyst communicates with the skin through a small round keratin-filled plug.

Abscess

An abscess is a collection of pus. Pus is a thick fluid that usually contains white blood cells, dead tissue, and germs (bacteria). The usual cause of an abscess is an infection with bacteria. Antibiotics are usually prescribed, and the pus usually needs to be drained away. This involves a small operation to cut the top of the skin and allow the pus to drain.

What is the removal of a lump or bump?

This is the surgical removal of a lump in the skin, such as a mole or epidermal cyst or of the fat that lies just beneath it – e.g. a lipoma. Usually, this procedure can be performed under local anaesthetic. This means you will be awake for the procedure. 

The Doctor at Council ring Road Clinic will remove the lump and may send the specimen for analysis. The wound maybe be closed with some stitches, and the type of stitch will vary depending on the type of lump that is removed. Sometimes these are dissolvable and sometimes they will require removal.

Why are lumps and bumps usually removed?

May cause symptoms like itching or bleeding. Occasionally, they will catch on clothes or prevent hair brushing if located on the scalp. Patients may also have them removed because of cosmetic problems. If any lump is growing in size or shape, or if there is some doubt as to the exact diagnosis, your doctor may recommend removing the lump to confirm the diagnosis by looking at it under a microscope. This is known as an excision biopsy.

How Can We Help

We can remove your moles, cysts, warts, or abscess.

Many simple procedures such as wart, cyst, mole, and skin tag removals can be performed at Torrance Memorial Physician Network. These are done in our offices and can include standard surgery, freezing, cautery or laser.

Feel free to ask your doctor about our skin lesion removal options.

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis. The procedure is fairly common for newborn boys in certain parts of the world, including the United States. Circumcision after the newborn period is possible, but it’s a more complex procedure

Why do men get circumcised?

Circumcision Benefits

A reduced risk of some sexually transmitted diseases in men. Protection against penile cancer and a lower risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners. Prevention of balanitis (inflammation of the glans) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin)

Joint and tendon injections are a form of treatment for arthritis or inflammation. Medications, are injected into the affected joints or tendons to relieve pain and swelling.

The effect of a cortisone shot can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. As cortisone reduces inflammation, it can make you feel great.

Diseases of joints and tendons produce inflammation. When inflammation makes joints and tendons painful and activities difficult, we use a cortisone shot to help with treatment. However, you should understand that the effect of a cortisone shot is only temporary. Generally, a cortisone shot does not cure arthritis or tendonitis, but reducing pain can make the effect of rehab better.

Overall, cortisone shots are very safe. However, some medical diseases such as diabetes, cancer, or HIV infection can interact with cortisone. So, you should tell your doctor. Also, if you are taking a blood thinner such as Warfarin, you may need to stop the medication for a short time. Warfarin and cortisone injections could increase your risk of bleeding.

People often ask this question: how long does a cortisone shot take to work? This is important to know particularly when you have an event coming up such as a marathon or a sports final. Choosing the best time to have a cortisone shot could be the difference between success or failure.

Generally, a cortisone shot takes 4-5 days to start working. However, we often say you should leave about a week before an event for the cortisone shot to work. Also, you need to be aware that cortisone can cause a flare of pain in the first few days. You must rest for a few days after the cortisone shot to stop the flare from getting worse.

The effect of a cortisone shot can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. As cortisone reduces inflammation, it can make you feel great. However, this effect is only temporary, as cortisone does not cure the disease process. Nevertheless, this window of pain relief can help with rehab. Combining a cortisone shot with exercise can provide greater pain relief. Also, improving lifestyle factors such as weight loss, muscle strength and footwear can help.

Generally, any cortisone injection will have an effect on the body. However, this effect is small and only lasts for 3-4 weeks.

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose an ingrown toenail based on your symptoms and a physical examination of your nail and the surrounding skin.

Treatment

 Ingrown toenail treatment

If home remedies haven’t helped your ingrown toenail, your doctor may recommend:

• Lifting the nail. For a slightly ingrown nail (redness and pain but no pus), your doctor may carefully lift the ingrowing nail edge and place cotton, dental floss or a splint under it. This separates the nail from the overlying skin and helps the nail grow above the skin edge. At home, you’ll need to soak the toe and replace the material daily.
• Partially removing the nail. For a more severe ingrown toenail (redness, pain and pus), your doctor may trim or remove the ingrown portion of the nail. Before this procedure, your doctor may temporarily numb your toe by injecting it with an anesthetic.
• Removing the nail and tissue. If you have the problem repeatedly on the same toe, your doctor may suggest removing a portion of the nail along with the underlying tissue (nail bed). This procedure may prevent that part of your nail from growing back. Your doctor will use a chemical, a laser or other methods.

Your doctor may also recommend using topical or oral antibiotics, especially if the toe is infected or at risk of becoming infected.