Dermatology Appointment Yesterday

[Forest Walker]

The place where the dermatologist took biopsies last week might be getting infected.  Instructions were to keep bandages on (changing them daily), to put a smear of vaseline on the new bandage.  But the scoop biopsy site hurts now and has a red rim around it.  The punch biopsy site is swollen and tender but not painful.  

The scoop biopsy is on my middle back.  The punch biopsy is closer to a back hip.

My intuition is saying to have some time without covering it, to let the air get in.  

Does anyone have experience with this?  I don't know if the Humira is making it more difficult to heal.

[Fred]

I've had a few biopsies over the years but never had any problems, could it be worth asking at a pharmacy or don't they do that type of advice in the USA ?

[Turnedlight]

The trouble with Vaseline is it isn’t antiseptic. Could you phone them for advice?

[Caroline]

The place where the dermatologist took biopsies last week might be getting infected.  Instructions were to keep bandages on (changing them daily), to put a smear of vaseline on the new bandage.  But the scoop biopsy site hurts now and has a red rim around it.  The punch biopsy site is swollen and tender but not painful.  

The scoop biopsy is on my middle back.  The punch biopsy is closer to a back hip.

My intuition is saying to have some time without covering it, to let the air get in.  

Does anyone have experience with this?  I don't know if the Humira is making it more difficult to heal.

I also would not use vaseline but apparently there is some reason for it… I do know of fatty antiseptic bandages that are use with wounds in order to cover them. The ones containing honey reduce bacteria growth as you are probably fighting infection that makes sense. Discuss with the doc.
I also think it is important to keep them covered to keep free from extra contamination and keep the wounds soft and clean.

Normally when something heals it gets red because of more blood is flowing there and there is kind of a healing inflammation.
You should keep an eye on increasing pain, extra warmth around the wounds, dirty stuff coming out, and of course if you would get feverish.
Humira does influence your immune system, but I would not know in how far, and it is also different for everyone.

Use your intuition… if you feel something is not going well.. contact your GP or doctor.

[Kat]

As another thought with you mentioning the red rim, it could be a reaction to the bandage itself. Sometimes the "sticky stuff" is an irritant.

(Yes Fred, at least here you can ask your pharmacist for advice)

But if it's bothering you, I'd do as Caroline recommended and get in touch with your doctor (or his nurse) and see what they recommend.

My guess (and that's all it is) is that the vaseline is to keep the bandage from sticking to the area should it be "weeping" in any way. My Mom did that on occasion if she thought the bandage might stick to the actual wound.

[Fred]

Thank you Kat.

@FW I forgot to mention Coconut Oil that can heal and protect against infection.

[Forest Walker]

Thank you, everyone.  If they worsen today or are not better by tomorrow, I'll ask the doc's nurse to check them.  Well, maybe sometime today.  I went without covering them last night and slept better.  

Certainly, the skin where the adhesive was is angry red, but I feel that will calm quickly (and I could use ointments to help that part).  The bandages have been big enough that the adhesive irritation is not near the wound.

My brother had an elbow infection that was sometimes treated with a special honey.  I had forgotten that.  The Vaseline is certainly not antiseptic, and I have never understood why this dermatologist (and others in the past who took skin biopsies) say to use it.  Maybe it's so the bandage won't stick, as Kat guesses.  

I appreciate the support and insight in your comments.  Thank you.

[Turnedlight]

Thank you, everyone.  If they worsen today or are not better by tomorrow, I'll ask the doc's nurse to check them.  Well, maybe sometime today.  I went without covering them last night and slept better.  

Certainly, the skin where the adhesive was is angry red, but I feel that will calm quickly (and I could use ointments to help that part).  The bandages have been big enough that the adhesive irritation is not near the wound.

My brother had an elbow infection that was sometimes treated with a special honey.  I had forgotten that.  The Vaseline is certainly not antiseptic, and I have never understood why this dermatologist (and others in the past who took skin biopsies) say to use it.  Maybe it's so the bandage won't stick, as Kat guesses.  

I appreciate the support and insight in your comments.  Thank you.

I think they use Vaseline to minimise scarring..

[Kat]

Thank you, everyone.  If they worsen today or are not better by tomorrow, I'll ask the doc's nurse to check them.  Well, maybe sometime today.  I went without covering them last night and slept better.  

Certainly, the skin where the adhesive was is angry red, but I feel that will calm quickly (and I could use ointments to help that part).  The bandages have been big enough that the adhesive irritation is not near the wound.

My brother had an elbow infection that was sometimes treated with a special honey.  I had forgotten that.  The Vaseline is certainly not antiseptic, and I have never understood why this dermatologist (and others in the past who took skin biopsies) say to use it.  Maybe it's so the bandage won't stick, as Kat guesses.  

I appreciate the support and insight in your comments.  Thank you.

I think they use Vaseline to minimise scarring..

Ooooh, could very well be!!! I actually didn't know that until now!

[Caroline]

Thank you, everyone.  If they worsen today or are not better by tomorrow, I'll ask the doc's nurse to check them.  Well, maybe sometime today.  I went without covering them last night and slept better.  

Certainly, the skin where the adhesive was is angry red, but I feel that will calm quickly (and I could use ointments to help that part).  The bandages have been big enough that the adhesive irritation is not near the wound.

My brother had an elbow infection that was sometimes treated with a special honey.  I had forgotten that.  The Vaseline is certainly not antiseptic, and I have never understood why this dermatologist (and others in the past who took skin biopsies) say to use it.  Maybe it's so the bandage won't stick, as Kat guesses.  

I appreciate the support and insight in your comments.  Thank you.

I think they use Vaseline to minimise scarring..

I think the same, but than you can also use anti-septic fatty bandages, instead of vaseline, that should have an equal effect without the risk of infection.