Dermatology - Information Following a Shave Excision or Curettage and Cautery

Shave excision or Curettage procedures normally leave an open wound which will usually heal over 2-4 weeks.

Although healing can vary from 1 to 8 or more weeks, depending on the area of the body.

How do I look after the wound?

The dressing applied should remain in place for 24 hours. After this time wet the dressing in the shower or bath, gently remove and wash gently with soap and water.

Pat the area dry with a clean towel and apply a smear of Vaseline or an antiseptic cream such as Savlon to help healing and prevent the wound from crusting.

Apply a simple non-stick dressing e.g. a plaster and repeat this daily until the area is pink and healing. At this stage the wound can be left exposed.

You may have a bath or shower, but avoid soaking the area for long periods.

Pain relief

The local anaesthetic will wear off in the next 1 to 2 hours. You may want to take simple pain relief e.g. Paracetemol (as long as you do not take any other medicines containing Paracetamol) to maximum of eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours.

Complications

Redness and some discomfort with slight weeping is a normal part of the healing process. However, if this occurs 1 or 2 weeks after the procedure, you need to seek advice from your GP surgery.

The signs of infection can be any of the following:

  • Increasing pain at the site
  • Increasing swelling
  • Increasing redness
  • A pus like discharge

If there is any bleeding, press on the wound firmly with a folded towel (without looking) at it for 20 minutes.

If it is still bleeding after this time you should contact the Dermatology Department or seek medical attention from your local Emergency Department or Walk in Centre.

Pathology result

You will always be informed about the outcomes of your results. If you have not been contacted with the results within 12 weeks of your procedure, then please contact the responsible secretary. You will find this phone number on the top of your clinic letter.

Contact information

If you have any queries or conerns, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant Dermatology Team (between 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday) on the following numbers:

Dermatology Theatre, Salford - 0161 206 1022/2099

Bury Dermatology ICAT, Radcliffe - 0161 724 2156

Fairfield Dermatology - 0161 778 2637/2638

Dermatology at Stockport, Kingsgate - 0161 204 4677

Dermatology at Altrincham - 0161 206 6837

What do I do if I need help out of hours?

Should you experience problems when the Dermatology Department is closed you should seek help from your local Emergency Department or Walk in Centre.
 

Date of Review: October 2024
Date of Next Review: October 2026
Ref No: PI_SU_1464 (NCA)

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