mole removal aftercare
Do you have moles on your face or other parts of your body? Do you notice them getting bigger or more prominent? This may be a sign of skin cancer. If your doctor suspects skin cancer, he might suggest safe mole removal and skin biopsy for confirmation of the diagnosis. Whether your diagnosis is positive or negative for <a href="https://ifhnosauckland2016.org/squamous-cell-carcinoma-stages/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skin cancer</a>, it is important to learn about tips for mole removal aftercare.

Do you have moles on your face or other parts of your body? Do you notice them getting bigger or more prominent? This may be a sign of skin cancer. If your doctor suspects skin cancer, he might suggest safe mole removal and skin biopsy for confirmation of the diagnosis. Whether your diagnosis is positive or negative for skin cancer, it is important to learn about tips for mole removal aftercare.

 

What is a mole?

A nevus, the medical term for a mole, is typically a benign cluster of cells found anywhere in the body. There are so many terms doctors give moles depending on their appearance, size, and composition. Moles can appear at birth, but some people have moles that appear later in life. This can happen due to a person’s exposure to the and development of noncancerous or precancerous moles.

 

Why are moles removed?

mole removal evaluationMoles, as mentioned earlier, are typically benign, so doctors do not consider removing them as medically necessary. Some remove their prominent moles because the location where it developed is aesthetically displeasing. However, there are medical conditions that prompt dermatologists and other doctors to remove moles. These may include the presence of an infection or allergic reaction to the mole, and if the nevus is believed to be developing skin cancer cells. Removal and biopsy of the said mole may then be required to diagnose such a serious medical condition. Though both procedures are different from each other when it comes to its specific steps and goals,  it is still imperative that mole removal aftercare be properly established to prevent further complications.

 

Mole removal aftercare: Removal procedure

There are two ways a mole can be safely removed. One is through surgical shaving, where the doctor literally shaves off the little moles on the anesthetized skin. The other method is through surgical excision, where the patient’s skin is numbed and, using a blade or scalpel, the doctor cuts out the prominent lump and apply stitches to the area. The latter option is suggested useful for bigger moles and tissue growths that are recommended for skin cancer biopsy.

 

Mole removal aftercare: Tips and suggestions

The post-procedure aftercare is typical in any surgical operation, even in skin cancer biopsy aftercare. but if you are generally a healthy person and this is the only surgical experience that you have, here are some tips and reminders on how to care for your skin after the mole removal surgery.

  • safe mole removalAlways make sure that your hands and dry and clean every time you are cleaning your skin.
  • Keep the area dry and free from any skincare products that are not prescribed by your surgeon.
  • Wash the skin with gentle soap and warm water as soon as the doctor gives you the go signal that it is safe to do so.
  • Do not rub the area.
  • Change the bandages (if any) regularly to prevent infection.
  • Do not remove the stitches on your own. Your surgeon will give you instructions on when to come back for its removal.
  • For open wounds without sutures, do not remove the scab or crust that develops on top of the wound. Doing so will freshen up the wound, making it vulnerable to infection and bleeding.
  • Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic cream or ointment for faster healing and minimizing the risk of getting further skin complications.
  • Take prescribed medications for pain and inflammation to alleviate your discomfort.
  • Do not hesitate to inform your doctor about any noticeable discharge or persistent discomfort on the site so that he can assess if an infection is present or if other procedures need to be performed.