- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
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Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
Definition (1)
- Freckles and moles: What's the difference?
Treatments and drugs (1)
- Mole removal cream: Does it work?
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Question
Mole removal cream: Does it work?
Does mole removal cream work?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Moles, known medically as nevi, are clusters of pigmented cells that often appear as small, dark brown spots on the skin. Over-the-counter mole removal cream is widely available, but it's unlikely to be effective. If you're concerned about a mole, ask your doctor or dermatologist about mole removal. This is especially important if the mole hurts, itches, bleeds, or changes size, shape or color. The doctor may suggest numbing the area and then removing the mole with a small blade or incision. If the mole is abnormal, the doctor may remove a margin of healthy skin around the mole as well. Some degree of scarring is likely, depending on the size of the mole and how much surrounding skin is removed. Typically, mole removal can be done quickly in the doctor's office.
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