Management of Benign Skin Lesions

For benign (non-cancerous) skin lesions, the following guidance has been provided:

Kent and Medway CCG will fund removal of benign skin lesions where the lesion meets at least one of the following criteria:

• The lesion is unavoidably and significantly traumatised on a regular basis with evidence of this causing regular bleeding or resulting in infections such that the patient requires 2 or more courses of antibiotics (oral or intravenous) in a year
• The lesion bleeds in the course of normal everyday activity
• The lesion causes recurrent pain
• The lesion significantly impacts on function, e.g. restricts joint movement
• The lesion is obstructing an orifice or impairing vision
• The lesion causes pressure symptoms, e.g. on nerve or tissue
• If left untreated, more invasive intervention would be required for removal

Referral should be made to dermatology, for assessment if there is diagnostic uncertainty.

Where the above criteria are not met but the patient still wishes to explore lesion removal, they should be advised to seek private care.

View the Kent and Medway ICB Referral and Treatment Criteria

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