Caring For Your Biopsy Or Incision Site
Shaved Biopsy Site or Wound without Stitches
Clean the area daily with either soap and water or sterile wound wash saline, then gently pat the area dry. Apply Polysporin ointment, or Aquaphor if you have been placed on oral antibiotics and a fresh dressing after cleansing.
For the first few days following a procedure, it’s normal to experience some redness, mild stinging, or slight pain in a healing wound. You may take Tylenol as needed for pain. In some cases, stronger pain medication may be prescribed. However, if you are experiencing significant pain or have concerns regarding the appearance of your wound, please call our office at (310) 888-4070.
Incision Site with Stitches
Clean the area daily with sterile wound wash saline, not hydrogen peroxide, and pat dry with gauze to clean away debris, such as dried blood. Apply Polysporin ointment or Aquaphor to the stitches and apply a fresh dressing. You may leave your stitches uncovered; however, be sure to keep stitches clean and moist with ointment. Take all oral antibiotics as prescribed. Pain medication is not usually needed for most wounds, but it can be prescribed if Tylenol isn’t providing adequate relief from pain or soreness at the incision site.
Do not pull the skin when cleansing, rather dab using an up and down motion. Avoid any tension across all stitch lines. Minimize all exercises that will stretch the skin in the area where you have stitches.
For the first few days, some blood oozing and spot on the bandage is normal. However, if you experience active bleeding, apply continuous pressure for 15-minutes, then call our office at (310) 888-4070 if the bleeding hasn’t stopped.
If the site becomes red, swollen, painful, or any pus-like discharge, call our office at (310) 888-4070 immediately.