1. What should I expect after liquid nitrogen treatment (freezing)?
2. What should I expect after treatment with cantharone (beetle juice)?
3. What do I need do after a shave biopsy or removal of skin tags (no stitches)?
4. What do I need to do after an excision (with stitches)?
5. What do I need to do after having a skin cancer destroyed (further removal)?
6. My bandage came off and I'm supposed to have it on until I get the stitches out, what should I do?
7. The surgery area is bleeding and/or I see some blood on the bandage, is that OK?
8. The area around the surgery site is red and very itchy, why is that?
9. I'm noticing pain and redness at the area of the procedure, is that normal?
10. I just had my stitches out and had paper stitches placed (steri-strips), can I shower or do I need to keep the area covered still?

1. What should I expect after liquid nitrogen treatment (freezing)?
After treatment with liquid nitrogen, the area that was frozen will typcially become red and swollen for a few days. This may be followed by the formation of a blister (not all cases). If a blister does occur, it may even become a blood blister, particularly on the feet. Do not worry, this is part of the normal process. If there is a blister, it is OK to sterilize a needle and to puncture the blister allowing the fluid to drain. Next, a scab will form and this will eventually fall off. You should not pick at the scab. The entire process should take approximately 2-3 weeks to occur. There are no bathing restrictions after treatment with liquid nitrogen and no special care is necessary.


2. What should I expect after treatment with cantharone (beetle juice)?
After the cantharone is applied it should be washed off anywhere from 4 hours to the next morning, depending on the instructions given to you by your doctor. There should be no symtoms from the cantharone, other than some possible stinging when wiping the area off. If there is some stinging or burning in the area prior to the time you are supposed to wash the area, it is OK to wash it at that time. Within a few days of the treatment, the area will form a blister which will then get a tiny scab and then fall off. There are no bathing restrictions and no special care is necessary.


3. What do I need do after a shave biopsy or removal of skin tags (no stitches)?
After these procedures are done, it is best to wash the area twice a day with hydrogen peroxide and then apply a thin layer of Polysporin ointment. The area may then be covered with a bandage. This should be continued until the area appears healed over.


4. What do I need to do after an excision (with stitches)?
After an excision, you will have paper stitches and a bandage placed over your surgery area. It is best to simply leave this bandage in place until the stitches are removed. Bathing is allowed, but it is best to cover the area with a waterproof bandage. These bandages can be found at the pharmacy and many grocery stores. If your bandage has come off, see #6 below...


5. What do I need to do after having a skin cancer destroyed (further removal)?
After a destruction, care is similar to that after a biopsy. It is best to wash the area twice a day with hydrogen peroxide and then apply a thin layer of Polysporin ointment. The area may then be covered with a bandage. This should be continued for a full 30 days.


6. My bandage came off and I'm supposed to have it on until I get the stitches out, what should I do?
If just the bandage fell off, try and leave the paper stitches in place and simply put another bandage over the surgery area. As above, try and keep the area dry by placing a water proof bandage over the regular bandage.


7. The surgery area is bleeding and/or I see some blood on the bandage, is that OK?
If there is a concern that the surgery site is bleeding, first remove the bandage. If the wound is actively bleeding, apply firm, direct pressure to the area for 10 minutes (do not lift up to peek). If the area continues to bleed after 10 minutes, then contact us immediately. If there is only blood on the bandage, this is fine as some of the wounds may "ooze" a bit after the procedure. Simiply replace the bandage and feel reassured that this is a normal process after surgery is performed.


8. The area around the surgery site is red and very itchy, why is that?
Many times people can be allergic to the bandages that are placed over a wound. This usually results in itchy skin surrounding the surgery site and can often appear in the exact shape as the bandage itself. This is not dangerous in regards to healing. If the problem is severe, please contact us.


9. I'm noticing pain and redness at the area of the procedure, is that normal?
While there can be mild redness around a surgery area, if this appears to be enlarging in size, this may indicate an infection. In addition, while there is sometimes mild discomfort after local anesthesia wears off, increased pain or tenderness to the surgery site may indicate infection. If you are at all concerned about a possible wound infection, please contact us immediately.


10. I just had my stitches out and had paper stitches placed (steri-strips), can I shower or do I need to keep the area covered still?
At this point, there are no restrictions. You can bath/shower as normal and do not have to cover the paper stitches. These are placed for a little extra support. They may fall off in a day or a week, either is OK. Our only request is that you let them to fall off on their own (do not pull them off). Otherwise, you may return to your normal routine.