DEAR DR. GOTT:
What do I do for a sore or pimple on the inside of my bottom lip? I was told it is a pyogenic granuloma. It was frozen off once but came back. It was then cut out and again came back. What can I do now?
DEAR READER:
A pyogenic granuloma is a small, reddish bump on the skin. It bleed easily because it has a high number of blood vessels.
These lesions often appear on the skin after an injury and usually occur on the face, hands or arms. They are also often found in the mouths of pregnant women. They are common in children and can be annoying due to the easy bleeding.
Treatment varies. Most small pyogenic granulomas disappear on their own. Larger ones may need to be removed by a surgeon. You have already try cryotherapy (freezing) and traditional surgery. Laser surgery and electrocautery may be options to discuss with your physician.
If the entire lesion is not removed, it will likely return. This is likely why yours has returned twice now. Given this, your surgeon may choose to remove more of the surrounding tissue to ensure it has been entirely excised or destroyed. Scarring is common and with more extensive surgery, the scarring will likely be greater. Unless the lesion is interfering with daily activities such as eating or brushing your teeth, you may simply choose to leave it alone.
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