Post Care Instructions
Cantharidin is a medicine that is an extract from a blister beetle. It is used to treat warts and molluscum.
The physician applies a small amount of medicine to the lesions to induce a blister to treat the condition.
Here is how to take care of the area:
1. Wash the treated area using soap and water, no longer than 8 hours after the medication was applied. If significant pain or discomfort occurs before this time, you may cleanse the treatment sites.
a. If the spots have been taped, remove the tape before washing.
2. Let the blisters form. It should naturally crust over and heal, but if it is large and painful, you may drain it with a sterile needle.
3. If there is discomfort from the treatment, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
4. If the area is open, please keep clean and apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline®/Aquaphor®) with a band aid.
5. The blisters will take about a week to heal. Reminder, it may take more than one treatment for the lesions to resolve, so remnants of the lesion may be noted. On average 3-6 treatments are needed for resolution of the lesions.
6. Post inflammatory pigment alteration after treatment with cantharidin typically will resolve over time, however there is a potential risk for scarring.
Please call our office at (704)784-5901 if you have any questions, feel like the blister is persisting for more than 7 days or if the area continues to drain and ooze.
After treatment, your skin will become red and swollen and may develop a blister. It may resemble a bug bite. There will be some discomfort for 24 hours.
Proper care after the procedure:
• Clean the treated area with soap and water as you normally would. It is fine to get the area wet; however, be gentle when cleaning.
• If necessary, you can open the blister with a sterilized needle.
• If a blister forms or opens, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline® /Aquaphor® ointment to the site twice daily.
• If there is open skin, please keep it covered with a bandage.
• Skin will start to heal in 1-3 weeks. After treatment, you will notice post-inflammatory pigment alteration; a lighter or darker spot, compared to the surrounding skin. There is a potential risk for scar.
Note: The treated lesion can sometimes take several treatments to resolve in completion, especially warts. Therefore, if you feel that your lesion is persistent, please call our office to make another appointment for treatment.
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.
The Following Describes How to Care for Your Surgery Site
1) Please keep the original bandage on and dry for 24 hours or 48 hours or 1 week (your doctor will specify).
2) After 24 hours or 48 hours or 1 week remove the bandage.
3) Perform the following on a daily basis until healed (usually in 7-14 days)
A. Wash the area with warm water and antibacterial soap such as Dial soap
B. Gently pat the wound dry
C. Apply petroleum jelly (Aquaphor® or Vaseline®) to the wound bed using a clean cotton swab
D. Apply a new bandage using a non-stick gauze and paper tape.
i. Note: It is important to keep the wound moist with petroleum jelly and covered with a bandage as it will promote proper wound healing.
4) You should avoid any exercise (activity that causes you to be out of breath) and heavy lifting (greater than 7 lbs) for 2 weeks. These activities increase the risk of bleeding and reopening of the wound.
5) 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.
6) Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol® can be taken if needed for pain.
7) If your stitches are not dissolvable, please be sure you have an appointment scheduled in 7-14 days for removal.
Concerned About Bleeding
i. 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.
b. 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?
a. 1) Redness, swelling and mild drainage are NORMAL signs of healing and should be expected for the first few days of healing.
b. 2) Wound infections are very unlikely within the first few days following a procedure. Wound infections are most common 4-10 days following a procedure.
c. 3) Signs of wound infection include expanding redness, swelling, increasing pain, thick white/yellow/green drainage, fever, and chills.
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 concerns AFTER HOURS, please call our office to speak with the on-call dermatologist. During working hours call the office at (704)784-5901.
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.
The following describes how to care for your shave biopsy/shave removal site:
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) Repeat this process daily until the wound has healed (usually in 7-14 days).
4) 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.
5) Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol® can be taken if needed for pain.
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.
What is an Unna Boot?
An Unna boot is a special bandage used to wrap an extremity, normally the lower leg. The boot is composed of a zinc oxide-impregnated gauze and elastic wrap that is normally worn for an extended period, often 7 days at a time. Unna boots are applied for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to open wounds, swelling, and /or surgical treatment sites. The wrap reduces risk of infection, decreases tension on a wound, decreases healing time, prevents swelling, and does not require any patient-provided wound care.
Care of the Unna Boot
Keep the Unna dressing dry. If showering, you may cover with a heavy plastic bag taped at the top of the boot or purchase a cast cover from a pharmacy or home health supply store. If bathing in a tub, keep your boot out of the tub. If your boot gets wet or soiled, please contact us for further instructions.
You may continue normal daily activities, such as walking, but it is advised to AVOID heavy exertion or exercise. Keeping your legs elevated as much as possible when sitting will help with swelling.
The boot will begin to dry in 3-4 hours and may feel tighter. This is normal and will decrease as the boot dries completely.
It is normal to have some drainage on your Unna boot.
DO NOT place any objects inside your boot to relieve itching. This may cause infection or other wounds.
Do not remove the boot unless instructed to do so by your provider or their assistants.
When to Contact the Office
• Severe or increasing pain.
• Fever or chills
• Unna boot that continues to feel too tight or too loose
• Unna boot that becomes soiled, wet, or damaged
• Excessive drainage or drainage with an abnormal odor
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.
