Carenotes > Skin Biopsy (Aftercare Instructions)

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:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.
  
  
• 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.
  
  

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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.