Care of your wound following skin curettage

Relief of pain

The local anaesthetic that you have had will wear off over the next one to two hours.

You may need to take a simple pain relief, eg. paracetamol (as directed on the manufacturer’s packet), to cover the next 12 to 24 hours.

The dressing

• Keep the wound dry and covered for two to three days
• A greasy ointment (e.g. Vaseline) can be applied after removal of the dressing to prevent crusting
• If the area is then dry and healing, the dressing can be left off. If the wound is moist or is in an area where it may catch or rub on clothing, cover with a clean dressing until healed
• The treated area will form a scab, This should be left in place until it fades or falls off after two to four weeks
• Curettage and cautery of the skin will inevitably leave a scar. The type of scar will depend on the site and size of the lesion removed

Bathing

The area should be kept covered for the next three days. Ideally the wound should be covered until any stitches are removed. After bathing, never leave a wet dressing in place. Wash your hands and change it for a plain plaster. A wet dressing increases your risk of infection.

Test results

The skin sample will be sent to the laboratory for analysis. You and your GP will be informed on the result of the test, usually by letter, but please state a preference at the time of your surgery. You may be sent a dermatology appointment for results to see a specialist nurse or doctor if further discussion is needed. The results are usually available after three weeks, but sometimes may take longer if they are discussed at the multi-disciplinary meeting or if a further opinion is required.

Complications

Although some weeping at the site is inevitable, this does not necessarily imply infection.

If you experience persistent pain or weeping from the site after two days, you may need advice from your surgery. The practice nurse will be able to assess your wound if you suspect infection.

The signs of infection can be any of the following:

• Increasing pain at the site
• Swelling
• Redness
• A pus-like discharge

If you are concerned about any of the above, see your practice nurse promptly, taking with you your ‘practice nurse letter’. Your practice nurse is the first point of contact. The practice nurse will be able to assess your wound if you suspect it is infected.

If you experience persistent pain after 48 hours you may need advice from your GP.

Ref: 15-17-107
Review: 11/19