The Medical Procedures Center, P.C.

"We treat people, not just problems."

John L. Pfenninger, M.D.

Lori Oswald, P.A.-C.

 

4800 N. Saginaw Road, Midland, MI 48640

 

(989) 631-4545

Visit our Website at http://www.MPCenter.net

Moist Healing after Skin Surgery

 

  1. For the next 7-14 days, gently wash the areas that were treated with soap and water, at least 4 times per day. DO NOT USE PEROXIDE. For some treatments like skin cancers we go quite deep. Keep washing and follow steps 2 and 3 until it looks like there is a good layer of skin growing over the treated area. That may take up to four weeks.
  2. If any scab forms, remove it. Gently washing with a washcloth should do this. The object is to prevent a scab from forming. Scabs impair healing and actually cause more scarring.
  3. After washing, keep a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (such as Bacitracin) on the wound. This will not only be soothing, but will also help the areas heal. This ointment can be obtained over- the-counter at most stores that sell medications. If you already have another antibiotic ointment it is okay to use it. It is probably best however to use something without Neosporin. Even Vaseline works well. The object is to keep the area moist. Apply the ointment 10 times per day, if necessary, to keep the area moist.
  4. It is best not to cover treated areas, especially the neck and face, if possible. However, apply Band-Aids if the area is under clothing so things don’t get soiled. Also, cover all treated areas at night so they don’t dry out when the ointment rubs off on the bed sheets.
  5. You will note an area of redness around the place where the lesion was removed. This is to be expected. However, if you see streaks of red leading away from the area, this could signal infection or an allergy to the antibiotic. If small water blisters and itching develop, STOP THE ANTIBIOTIC AT ONCE. You are allergic to it. Just use Vaseline instead and keep the area moist or ask your pharmacist for an antibiotic ointment without neosporin. Neosporin often causes these allergies.
  6. Any pain can be controlled with ice, Tylenol, or ibuprofen. Take (3) 200 mg pills four times per day as necessary. Avoid aspirin since it may cause bleeding.
  7. Remember that any lesions can return. If an abnormality was removed and appears to come back or the area looks changed or different, please call our office for a follow-up appointment. You never know when cancer can start.
  8. If you haven’t heard from us in two weeks after your biopsy was taken, please call us for the report.