Visiting your dermatologist at least once a year can help prevent melanoma and other types of skin cancers. Your dermatologist may remove a suspicious mole at your appointment and send it to the lab to test it for cancer. Having a mole removed will leave an open wound on your skin, whether it is malignant or not, that needs to be cared for properly to minimize scarring and encourage healing. Knowing the right way to take care of your mole removal wound will help you keep it from getting infected throughout the healing process.
Step 1
Clean the wound twice a day. Use a mild soap and gently cleanse the wound. Pat the wound dry using a clean towel, suggests MayoClinic.com.
Step 2
Inspect the wound for signs of infection. Look for redness, swelling or discharge. Examine the stitches to ensure they are still tied tightly and are not coming loose.
Step 3
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the area where the mole was removed. Rub it in gently to help aid in absorption.
Step 4
Cover the wound with a bandage. Choose a bandage that completely covers the mole removal site to keep it clean and well-moistened.
Step 5
Change the wound dressing twice a day to keep your wound germ-free.
Tips and Warnings
- The size and color of your final scar may take up to two years to become evident, reports MayoClinic.com. You can try one of the several scar-minimizing creams on the market to help fade the color and minimize the appearance. An over-the-counter pain medication can help ease the pain associated with having a mole removed.
- Mole removal is done by slicing the mole off or by carving it out by going beneath the skin so a scar is likely to remain following the surgery. If your mole is benign, consider whether the mole or the scar would be more bothersome before having it removed, cautions Jean M. Loftus, author of "The Smart Woman's Guide to Plastic Surgery: Essential Information from a Female Plastic Surgeon." MayoClinic.com recommends calling your doctor if your wound will not stop bleeding. Be careful not to bump your wound because this could cause additional bleeding and could make scarring worse, notes MayoClinic.com. Always wash your hands before touching your mole removal site to help avoid transferring germs into the open wound.
Things You'll Need
- Antibiotic ointment
- Soap
- Bandage
References
- "The Smart Woman's Guide to Plastic Surgery: Essential Information from a Female Plastic Surgeon"; Jean M. Loftus; 2000
- MayoClinic.com: Skin Biopsy: What You Can Expect
