A skin biopsy can tell you a lot about the health of your skin as well as your body. The reasons for getting one of these vary, but they all result in having to deal with the skin healing process. Even though only a small amount of skin is removed you will feel some pain, itching and irritation while it's growing back. There are a few ways you can make the skin heal quickly and in a way that results in less itching and irritation for yourself.
1. Cleaning the Wound
In order for the wound to heal properly, you need to make sure it's able to re-build healthy skin cells. This means using a mild soap to wash the area gently each and every day. Natural cleansers are the best because they don't contain harsh chemicals or irritants that can hurt the skin. Don't rub on the skin while you are doing this or you could end up causing more damage.
2. Bandage
Keeping a bandage over the wound is also going to help with the healing process. This will not only prevent dust and dirt from getting into it and causing an infection; it will also protect it from getting scratched or hit on different things. Replacing the bandage as often as necessary is very important as well. Old bandages can harbor a lot of bacteria and actually cause infections, which is why being clean is so essential.
3. Ointments and Creams
Your doctor will most likely give you antibiotic creams that need to be rubbed on the wound to help get rid of bacteria. The biopsy wound on the skin will start the healing process on its own, but it has to be free of bacteria. If even a small amount of bacteria gets into the area it can easily cause an infection that makes the wound take even longer to heal. These need to be applied with clean hands or hands that have gloves over them.
4. Avoid Dryness
Dryness is not good for the wound and should be avoided as much as is possible. This means applying either petroleum jelly or any type of antibiotic cream you were given. You should check the injury as often as you can in order to make sure it's in good condition.
5. Avoid Water
Avoiding water is important, especially if you enjoy swimming in public pools. The chemicals and germs that are inside of these can easily cause bacteria to get inside of your wound. When you do shower or take a bath you should cover the area with a plastic bag that will repel water.
6. Rest
Rest is great for your body when it comes to healing from any type of surgery. This will help you avoid bumping the biopsy site into things so there isn't a huge injury. This will also help you avoid dealing with dryness from moving around a lot.
Tips:
– Do not re-use old bandages.
– Do not scratch at the wound.
– It may take anywhere from weeks to months for the wound to completely heal.
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