Skin Biopsy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A skin biopsy is a procedure where your caregiver takes a sample of your skin for testing. Testing is done in a special lab to diagnose or rule out skin cancer, or other skin disease. Skin biopsies may also be done as treatment to remove a skin lesion (injured area of skin). Your caregiver may do a biopsy to check scaly spots, rashes, growths, warts, and other skin lesions. Your caregiver may also do a skin biopsy to look at small nerve fibers. This may be done if you are having pain and numbness in your lower legs and feet. It may be necessary for you to have more than one skin biopsy.
  
  
• There are many different ways to do a skin biopsy. One of the more common ways is a punch biopsy. Punch biopsy allows the whole thickness of your skin to be taken. This includes the layer that contains blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, and hair shafts. It may also include the fat under your skin. Punch biopsies may be done if the skin lesion is very small, or very large. During the procedure, a biopsy punch tool is used to remove the skin sample. With a skin biopsy, your caregiver may learn what skin or nerve condition you have. Once your caregiver knows what your condition is, treatment can start as soon as possible.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  
  
  • Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.
    
    
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.
  
  
• Acetaminophen: This medicine may be taken when the pain from your skin biopsy is not as bad. Taking too much acetaminophen can hurt your liver. Read labels so that you know the active ingredients in each medicine that you take. Talk to your caregiver before taking more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen. Ask your caregiver before taking over-the-counter medicine if you are also taking pain medicine ordered for you.
  
  
• Ibuprofen: This medicine is also called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDs). This may help decrease pain and inflammation (swelling). This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine. Ask your caregiver before taking over-the-counter medicine if you are also taking pain medicine ordered for you.

Follow-up visit information:

Ask your caregiver when the results of your procedure will be ready. How often you follow-up may depend on the result of your biopsy. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your visit. If you have stitches, you may need to come back after a few days to have them removed. It may take your wound about one week to heal.

Wound care:

• Keep the bandage clean and dry.
  
  
• Do not remove your bandage until your caregiver says it is OK.
  
  
• When you are able to remove your bandage, carefully wash the wound area with soap and water. Put on a clean, new bandage, if needed.
  
  
• Clean the wound as often as ordered by your caregiver. Someone may need to help you if you cannot reach your wound.
  
  
• You may need to decrease your movement for a while. This will lower your risk of hurting the wounded area.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have increased swelling, redness, or bleeding from your wound.
  
  
• You have pain that does not go away, or is not helped by pain medicines.
  
  
• You have red lines on your skin coming from your wound area.
  
  
• You have yellowish or greenish drainage coming out of your wound.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood, and you cannot stop the bleeding.
  
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Skin Biopsy (Aftercare Instructions)