Just as there may be abnormalities of the skin that require a biopsy for further investigation, this may also be the case on the nails. One can get skin cancer, warts, cysts, infection, etc. in the nails, which may require a biopsy for diagnosis or surgery for treatment. Diseased nails may also require removal, with the possibility of a new, healthy nail growing in its place. These procedures are performed only after the area is gently numbed, just as is done for skin procedures.