Aladerm and Cosmetic Laser 


Dermatology Associates  of Montgomery, LLC
 286 Mitylene Park Drive
 PO Box 241627
 Montgomery, AL 36124-1627
 Tel: 334.396.1555
 Fax:334.396.9833

Wound Care

What is a Biopsy  

A biopsy is the removal of a very small sample of the skin.  The sample is sent to a pathologist who decides, by looking through a microscope at the sample, the type of growth or skin problem present.

 

Your doctor then reviews the pathologist’s findings and coordinates those with observations of your condition.  Knowing the type of growth or disease helps your doctor determine treatment for you.

 

Sometimes there is a scar after a biopsy.

 

There are charges from two places when a biopsy is performed:

  1. The dermatologist, for removal of the tissue to be examined.
  2. The pathologist, for the preparation and evaluation of the tissue under the microscope.

 

Care of Biopsy Site

 

For the first 24 hours, keep bandaged and avoid strenuous exercise, then twice a day:

 

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
  2. Cleanse the biopsy site with one tablespoon of white vinegar in one pint of cold water.
  3. Dry the area and apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment (Polysporin, triple antibiotic ointment, Neosporin, Vaseline, or similar wound ointment).
  4. Place a small dressing or band-aid over the wound.

 

Need to Download and Print the Biopsy Care Handout?  CLICK HERE
Surgical Wound Care  
 
Post-Operative Care

 

The care of your surgical site is important to the success of your recovery.  There are several things that could happen following surgery.

 

  1. Bleeding:  To reduce the possibility of bleeding, a. Limit activities for at least 24 hours. b. If surgery was on an arm or leg, keep it elevated. c. If surgery was on the face, head or neck, avoid stooping or bending, avoid straining to have a bowel movement, sleep with your head and shoulders elevated on extra pillows. Should bleeding occur, apply a firm constant pressure on the bandage for 20 minutes.  This will usually stop minor bleeding.  If not, contact the doctor.
  2. Swelling:  If your doctor instructs you to do so, apply an ice bag for 20 minutes each hour while awake.
  3. Pain:  Pain, post-operatively, is generally slight.  Nearly always, Extra-Strength Tylenol will relieve it.
  4. Infection:  Signs of infection are increased pain, swelling, redness or yellowish drainage.  Notify the doctor if these appear.

 

Wound Care-Twice Daily

 

There will be a scar and redness after surgery.  This will decrease as healing progresses but redness may last as long as six months.  Everyone heals differently and sometimes the final scar can hardly be seen, while others become thick and/or tender.  Because of the unpredictability in wound healing, the final appearance cannot be known for certain, therefore, no guarantees can be implied or stated as to the final appearance of the scar.

 

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
  2. Make a solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar and one pint of cool water.  Apply to suture line with a Q-Tip to remove crusts.
  3. Dry with clean gauze by blotting.
  4. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment with Q-Tip (e.g. Polysporin).
  5. Cover with clean dressing, and keep it dry.

 

Need to Download and Print the Post Operative Care Handout?  CLICK HERE
Cryosurgery (liquid nitrogen treatment)  

Cryosurgery is the treatment of a lesion with the application of a cold substance.

 

After treatment with liquid nitrogen there may be a burning sensation or pain that can last up to 24 hours.  The discomfort can be treated with Tylenol.

 

Within 24 to 48 hours a blister may form, even a blood blister.  Do not open this blister should one appear.  The blister will dry up.  Sometimes there is a scar after cryosurgery.

 

Instructions for care (twice daily until healed)

 

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
  2. Clean the blister sites with soap and water, rinse, and pat dry.
  3. Call the office if signs of infection occur (swelling, heat, increased pain, yellow discharge).
  4. Antibiotic ointment may be applied.
  5. If you wish, a band-aid may be placed loosely over the blister.

 

Need to Download and Print the Cryosurgery Handout?  CLICK HERE

Copyright 2008 by Dermatology Associates of Montgomery, LLC