Skin Lesions: Care Instructions

Overview

A skin lesion is a general term used for the different types of bumps, spots, moles or other growths that may appear on your skin. Most skin lesions are harmless, but sometimes they can be a sign of skin cancer or other health problems.

Depending on what type of lesion you have, your doctor may cut out all or a small area of the skin tissue and send it to a lab to be looked at under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. A biopsy may be done to figure out what the lesion is or to make sure it is not skin cancer.

How can you care for yourself at home?

If you didn't have a biopsy or other treatment today:

• Carefully follow any instructions you were given by your doctor. If you don't have any instructions from your doctor, the following steps may help:
  • Keep the area clean and dry.
  • Use a moisturizer after you shower.
  • Don't squeeze, scratch, or pick at the area.
  • Leave the area exposed to the air whenever you can.
  • Adjust your clothing to avoid rubbing the bump or spot. Or you can cover it with a bandage.
  • Protect your skin from the sun.

If you had a biopsy or other treatment today:

• If your doctor told you how to care for your wound, follow your doctor's instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
  • Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day.
  • After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
  • You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
  • Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
  • Avoid using an antibiotic ointment unless your doctor recommends it.
• If you have stitches, you may get other instructions. You will have to return to have the stitches removed.
• If a scab forms, do not pull it off. Let it fall off on its own. Wounds heal faster if no scab forms. Washing the area every day and using petroleum jelly will help keep a scab from forming.
• If the wound bleeds, put direct pressure on it with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• If you had a growth "frozen" off with liquid nitrogen, you may get a blister. Do not break it. Let it dry up on its own. It is common for the blister to fill with blood. You do not need to do anything about this, but if it becomes too painful, call your doctor.