The following describes how to care for your punch biopsy:
1) Please keep the original bandage on and dry for 24/48 hours.
2) After 24/48 hours remove the bandage and wash the area with warm water and soap. Gently pat the wound dry, then apply petroleum jelly (Aquaphor® or Vaseline®) to the wound bed and apply a new bandage
a. Note: It is important to keep the wound moist with petroleum jelly and covered with a bandage as it will promote proper wound healing.
3) If the site is on your face or scalp, avoid bending over for at least 48 hours. Sit over or bend your legs if you need to pick something up. Additionally, do not shave over stitches.
4) Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol® can be taken if needed for pain.
5) If your stitches are not dissolvable, please be sure you have an appointment scheduled in 7-14 days for removal.
Concerned About Bleeding?
1) If the site is bleeding through the bandage, remove the original bandage and using a clean gauze or cloth, apply firm, constant pressure for 20 minutes.
a. During that time do not look at the wound, but instead hold firm direct pressure for 20 minutes. If the wound is still bleeding after 20 minutes, then repeat the procedure of holding 20 minutes of firm pressure to the wound. If bleeding stops, then carefully apply a new bandage. If bleeding continues, then please contact the office for further instructions.
Concerned About Infection?
1) Redness, swelling and mild drainage are NORMAL signs of healing and should be expected for the first few days of healing.
2) Wound infections are most common 4-10 days following a procedure. Wound infections are very unlikely within the first few days following a procedure.
3) Signs of wound infection include expanding redness, swelling, increasing pain, thick white/yellow/green drainage, fever, and chills. Please call if you notice any of these signs worsening rather than improving.
For most pathology results, we will contact you within 14 days with the results. If you do not hear from us within 14 days, please contact the office.
If you have emergent questions AFTER HOURS (Monday-Thursday after 4:30pm, Friday after 11:30 am, Saturday or Sunday), please call our office to speak with the on-call dermatologist. During working hours call the office at (704)784-5901.
1) Please keep the original bandage on and dry for 24/48 hours.
2) After 24/48 hours remove the bandage and wash the area with warm water and soap. Gently pat the wound dry, then apply petroleum jelly (Aquaphor® or Vaseline®) to the wound bed and apply a new bandage
a. Note: It is important to keep the wound moist with petroleum jelly and covered with a bandage as it will promote proper wound healing.
3) If the site is on your face or scalp, avoid bending over for at least 48 hours. Sit over or bend your legs if you need to pick something up. Additionally, do not shave over stitches.
4) Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol® can be taken if needed for pain.
5) If your stitches are not dissolvable, please be sure you have an appointment scheduled in 7-14 days for removal.
Concerned About Bleeding?
1) If the site is bleeding through the bandage, remove the original bandage and using a clean gauze or cloth, apply firm, constant pressure for 20 minutes.
a. During that time do not look at the wound, but instead hold firm direct pressure for 20 minutes. If the wound is still bleeding after 20 minutes, then repeat the procedure of holding 20 minutes of firm pressure to the wound. If bleeding stops, then carefully apply a new bandage. If bleeding continues, then please contact the office for further instructions.
Concerned About Infection?
1) Redness, swelling and mild drainage are NORMAL signs of healing and should be expected for the first few days of healing.
2) Wound infections are most common 4-10 days following a procedure. Wound infections are very unlikely within the first few days following a procedure.
3) Signs of wound infection include expanding redness, swelling, increasing pain, thick white/yellow/green drainage, fever, and chills. Please call if you notice any of these signs worsening rather than improving.
For most pathology results, we will contact you within 14 days with the results. If you do not hear from us within 14 days, please contact the office.
If you have emergent questions AFTER HOURS (Monday-Thursday after 4:30pm, Friday after 11:30 am, Saturday or Sunday), please call our office to speak with the on-call dermatologist. During working hours call the office at (704)784-5901.
