Even though the mole removal procedures available today are very safe, a few risks and complications can be encountered. Most procedures can be done in the doctor’s office and take no longer than a few minutes. The way that you care for your wound is what will determine if you will develop any complications during your healing process. There are wide varieties of recommendations that physicians give their patients after a mole removal procedure. This is to ensure they’re aware of the things they need to do to as well as the things they need to avoid in order to heal completely.
Risks of Developing Infections
Every dermatologist will advise his or her patients to be aware of the risk of infections. This is, in fact, the most common complication that appears after a mole removal procedure. This is because the skin usually blocks off the bacteria that cause infection from getting into your system. Given the fact that you’ll have an open wound in most cases, it becomes easier for bacteria to infect you. Keep in mind that if you develop a high fever or experience an accumulation of puss, you might have already developed an infection. If you happen to experience these symptoms it is important to have your physician’s contact information handy. You will need to get an infection looked at as soon as possible. You must keep the area clean in order to minimize the risk of infection.
Scarring Inevitable, but Noticeable?
All physicians will agree that after a mole removal procedure, it’s virtually impossible to prevent a scar from appearing. Countless patients have had moles removed without being aware that they will end up with a small scar. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t techniques of minimizing the scar. Usually, dermatologists will shave part of your mole off and then make an incision to remove the rest of it. The incision is usually what causes a scar. If you can afford laser treatment the scarring risk will minimal. It’s important to be aware that laser procedures are typically used for small mole problems as they can’t penetrate deep into the body. It’s also noticeably expensive in comparison with other traditional mole removal procedures such as excision and cauterization.
Other Minor Risks
There are other minor risks associated with mole removal procedures. It’s unlikely that you’ll experience any of them but it’s important to be aware prior to having the procedure done. One of the risks is heavy bleeding. It’s nearly impossible without stitches to prevent the incisions from larger mole removal from bleeding. Regardless of whether stiches are in place, there is a risk of losing large amounts of blood; stiches pop and sometimes things go wrong. Mind your incision and rush to the emergency room if you notice that you’re bleeding excessively. Another potential risk is the anesthesia administration during the mole removal. This poses a risk to those allergic to anesthesia, but even in that case, cryotherapy is available in place of drugs.