At-Home Care Tips To Follow After Mole Removal

Mole removal can be a simple scraping procedure or it can be one that involves an incision, the removal of the entire mole and stitches. Learning more about how to take care of the wound left behind after mole removal is important. Follow these tips to ensure your wound heals fast and in a way that is most natural for your body.

To Bandage Or Not To Bandage

You may have heard that leaving a wound open to the air is best for it to heal fast. However, this is a misconception because the air could be filled with contaminants that could cause infection. Keeping a bandage with non-stick padding and a thin layer of petroleum jelly on it is the best way to promote the fastest healing. Your physician may recommend you to use a thin layer of antibiotic ointment instead of petroleum, so be sure to ask about it before leaving after your procedure is done.

Buy A Bottle Of The Bubbling Antiseptic

Changing your bandage twice a day is important to prevent infection. After you take off the dirty bandage, cleaning the wound with hydrogen peroxide is recommended. Be sure to let the hydrogen peroxide bubble for a moment before rinsing it off for the best results. Dabbing the wound after you rinse it is a good idea, but remember to only use a sterile, dry bandage right out of its packaging. Also, be sure to wash your hands before and after changing your bandage for lowering the risk of infection. If you have stitches, pay special attention to them when dabbing the wound dry to avoid pulling on them. Pulling a stitch can cause pain and may cause the stitch to become loosened before it needs to be. Discuss with your physician any special instructions about wound care because of stitches.

Take It Easy On Your Wounded Area

If your mole is on a part of your body that gets a lot moving action, it is important to avoid moving too much. If you accidentally bump your wound against an object or you stretch it too far, it could open up and start bleeding. Wounds that are opened after forming a protective scab take longer to heal. If you are planning to have a mole removed, be sure to make plans for taking it easy during your recovery afterwards.

Having a mole removed can be a simple procedure, but if the wound left behind gets infected, you could experience pain and swelling. Avoid experiencing unnecessary pain by avoiding infection through proper wound care after you get home. If you need to get a mole removed, make sure to see a specialist like Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists or see your local physician.


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