Curettage / Shave and cautery Information for you Follow us on Twitter @NHSaaa Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nhsaaa Visit our website: www.nhsaaa.net All our publications are available in other formats
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Consultant: You have had a small piece of skin removed today. Please follow this advice to help your wound heal as quickly as possible and make you feel as comfortable as possible. Pain You should not be in severe pain, you may take painkillers,such as paracetamol. Make sure you follow the instructions on the packet. You should avoid aspirin, as this may increase the risk of bleeding. If you are already taking aspirin for other reasons, you should continue this as prescribed. Wound care Leave the dressing in place for 48 hours and keep the wound as dry as possible. After 48 hours remove the dressing gently, leaving the wound open to the air. Do not cover with a waterproof dressing. After 48 hours you can shower as normal, but pat the wound dry carefully. If the wound starts bleeding apply firm pressure to the wound with gauze or tissues for 15 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, contact the department. 3
The wound may ooze a little over the next ten to 14 days. During this time, a scab will form. This will fall off over the next three weeks to leave a pink / red scar. Over time, this will settle down. A little petroleum jelly (Vaseline) applied to the scab will help it to gradually separate. Bruising and swelling may occur around wound. This is normal. If the wound starts to weep and become increasingly red and painful, this may be a sign of infection and you should seek medical advice. Are there any side effects to the local anaesthetic? You have been given a local anaesthetic of Xylocaine 1% or 2 % with adrenaline. The nurse will check the expiry date and will make sure that the medicine has been stored at the correct temperature before giving you the injection. Like all medicines, Xylocaine may cause side effects. There may be some numbness or loss of feeling in the area where the injection was given. This will slowly wear off. 4 You may experience feelings of nervousness, dizziness, blurred vision, shakiness and occasionally drowsiness and loss of consciousness. Other rare side
effects are convulsions (fits), low blood pressure and breathing difficulties or slowed heartbeat. Serious side effects usually only occur with high blood levels of the medicine. One of the ingredients of the injection, the preservative methyl parahydroxybenoate, can cause specific reactions that may develop after you have been given the medicine. In rare cases, you may experience skin rashes and breathlessness. Some people can be allergic to some of the ingredients of the medicine. However, this is quite rare. Allergic reactions can range from rashes and swelling to severe allergic reactions such as nerve damage, breathlessness. Drop of blood pressure or shock. You should contact your family doctor (GP) immediately if you experience any unusual or severe side effects. Another ingredient, sodium metabisulphite, has also been known to cause allergic reactions. This is more common in people with a history of allergies or asthma. You should contact your family doctor (GP) or pharmacist immediately if you experience any unusual or severe side effects. 5
Finding out the results of your skin biopsy All patients should be informed of their skin biopsy results within six to eight weeks of the procedure. You may be given a further dermatology clinic appointment to receive and discuss the result, alternatively your hospital doctor may write to you with the result. If you have not been informed of your biopsy result within eight weeks then please contact the Dermatology Secretary on 01563 827928 If you have any concerns about the care and management of your wound or if you would like some advice, please contact the Dermatology Day Unit on the telephone numbers below: Dermatology Day Unit University Hospital Crosshouse Telephone: 01563 827923 Dermatology Day Unit Heathfield Suite University Hospital Ayr Telephone: 01292 616825 6
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All of our publications are available in different languages, larger print, braille (English only), audio tape or another format of your choice. Tha gach sgrìobhainn againn rim faotainn ann an diofar chànanan, clò nas motha, Braille (Beurla a-mhàin), teip claistinn no riochd eile a tha sibh airson a thaghadh. 0800 169 1441 Tell us what you think... If you would like to comment on any issues raised by this document, please complete this form and return it to: Communications Department, 28 Lister Street, University Hospital Crosshouse, Crosshouse KA2 0BB. You can also email us at: comms@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk. If you provide your contact details, we will acknowledge your comments and pass them to the appropriate departments for a response. Name Address Comment Compiled by Dermatology Last reviewed: November 2017 Leaflet reference MIS06-010-CC/PIL17-0088