Pyogenic granulomas are small, benign, usually blood red and round skin growths. They can affect people of all ages but are mostly seen in children, young adults, and pregnant women.
Pyogenic granulomas have a large number of blood vessels, so they tend to bleed. Other names you might come across are “Granuloma Telengiectaticum” or “Lobular Capillary hemangioma.” They can occur in anyone but are primarily seen in children and young adults. Pregnant women also develop these as their hormones change throughout their pregnancy.
Initially, a pyogenic granuloma starts as a small lesion but can rapidly expand over a few weeks. When it stops growing, it typically becomes a bright red, raised bump about 2 centimeters in size. The surface of this nodule might be smooth or uneven and can bleed easily. They grow anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the hands, fingers, arms, back, face, and neck. Although they can suddenly appear and grow, pyogenic granulomas are benign and not cancerous.
Do you or your child have a bright red bump on your skin that looks like a raspberry? It could be a pyogenic granuloma. But don’t let the name frighten you because it’s a harmless growth. The reason why most people want to get rid of it is because of its location. It could be unsightly, bothersome or it could even bleed. At Body Surgery, our surgeons are experts in microsurgery and each performs around 300-400 surgeries every year.
Pyogenic granulomas can cause significant discomfort, especially as they tend to bleed. At TMSC, our board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in pyogenic granuloma removal in Toronto that patients can rely on, ensuring minimal scarring.
At TMSC, you don’t have to worry about the quality of care. We have a state-of-the-art facility, and our surgeons will be by your side from the initial consultation to the procedure and any follow-ups required. During your initial consultation, one of our surgeons will inform you about the cost of pyogenic granuloma treatment in Toronto. It will depend on the complexity of the procedure and the number of areas affected.
Pyogenic granulomas are often due to small injuries, such as a tiny cut or accidentally biting your lip. They can also appear without any apparent cause, and it's not uncommon for them to develop on the lips during pregnancy. This is likely due to hormonal fluctuations. The reason they bleed so easily is because they are packed with numerous blood vessels.
The exact reasons for pyogenic granuloma are still unknown. The known fact is that they might occur due to a scratch, bug bite, cut, or skin lesion. Once they appear, they can rapidly grow. In pregnant women, they often occur due to the hormonal changes that women go through. They are usually harmless and don’t need to be treated. Also, if they are small, the chances are that they might go away on their own, and you don’t have to ask for any treatment. Most people who come to our surgeons for pyogenic granuloma removal have cosmetic reasons or experience discomfort.
In most cases, pyogenic granulomas are removed surgically. This involves surgical excision and some stitching. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area during the procedure, and after the initial sting of the injection, the procedure will be 100% painless. Sometimes, pyogenic granulomas return after surgical removal, leading to additional treatment. Other methods of treatment include silver-nitrate application.
During the consultation, one of our board-certified plastic surgeons will take your medical history, examine the area where you have pyogenic granuloma, and ask for more tests. After the consultation, they will schedule an appointment for your pyogenic granuloma removal surgery if that is required. In some cases, such as pregnancy, our surgeon may ask you to wait until your circumstances change. Also, if the pyogenic granuloma is small, our surgeon might ask you to wait as it could go away on its own.
At TMSC, ensuring your minor surgery is as pain-free and comfortable as possible is our top priority. Our surgeons are committed to supporting you from start to finish, including all necessary follow-up appointments. They'll use a local anesthetic to numb the area, so you'll feel just a quick pinch before the area goes numb. During the procedure, the surgeon will carefully remove the pyogenic granuloma and may need to put in a few stitches. The whole process typically lasts about 30 minutes. While there might be a small scar, especially if the granuloma is large, it's usually minimal. Our team will guide you on how to care for the area to ensure quick healing and make any scarring less noticeable.
Our surgeons are highly trained and experienced professionals who care deeply about their patients. Rest assured all of our procedures are carried out with the utmost care, precision, regard for aesthetics, and in a safe environment.
The procedure involves minimal downtime, allowing you to get back to your daily routine right away. However, our surgeon may advise you to avoid heavy physical activities for a while, possibly a week or longer, based on the size of the pyogenic granuloma that was removed and the stitches you received. This helps ensure the treated area heals properly without complications.
There is a chance that a pyogenic granuloma could return after removal. Still, if surgically removed, the chances of recurrence are lowered. You can discuss this with our surgeon in TMSC in detail during the initial consultation.
A pyogenic granuloma might bleed profusely and cause pain. The pyogenic granulomas are often thin at the surface, and that causes bleeding. Most people who come for pyogenic granuloma removal have this problem and want a permanent stop to it.
Your doctor might suggest cauterization or surgical removal. If it is surgery, the wound usually heals in one week. But there are chances of regrowth. It usually happens in children and pregnant women.
Pyogenic granuloma is not contagious. It cannot spread from person to person. Also, it does not occur due to an infection. It is a harmless, benign growth of the blood vessels on the skin.
Cauterization is one of the ways to remove a pyogenic granuloma, but the chances of recurrence are higher than with surgery. Our surgeons at TMSC have the expertise, experience, and skills to remove the entire growth and close the wound. Although it is an invasive procedure, the chances for regrowth are less than with any other method.
Yes, a pyogenic granuloma can be painful, mainly if it develops in an area of the body that is hard to reach or regularly disturbed. Pyogenic granulomas can grow rapidly and often bleed a lot even if there is no trauma to the site.
