Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRecoverySigns of InfectionTreatmentWhen to Seek CareFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Recovery
Signs of Infection
Treatment
When to Seek Care
FAQ
Afterskin cancerremoval surgery, it’s normal for the incision site to feel sore. It’s not normal, though, for there to be pain, swelling, pus drainage, or red streaks extending from the wound.These, in addition to fever, aresigns of infectionafter skin cancer removal.
If you think your incision is infected, don’t try to treat it at home. Instead, call your healthcare provider and ask for advice. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may need to take a round ofantibioticsto treat it.
This article explains how to recognize an infection after skin cancer removal, along with when to seek professional treatment.
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What to Expect After Skin Cancer Removal
Surgery is a commontreatment option for skin cancerand is often performed in the dermatologist’s office.The type of surgery used depends on the type of skin cancer and how advanced it is.
Skin cancer excision involves removing the tumor along with a slightly wider margin of normal skin. In most cases, this is done in a healthcare provider’s office using local anesthetic. It will leave a scar.
Mohs micrographic surgeryis another type of skin cancer surgery in which a thin layer of skin is removed and examined for cancer. If it is found, another layer is taken and examined. This is repeated until the layer is cancer-free.
You may notice a little redness around the incision as it heals. This is normal. But, if the redness increases, becomes swollen or very tender, or if it leaks pus, contact a healthcare provider right away.
Sutures should be removed within seven to 14 days after the removal.It may take a few months to a year for the scar to fully mature, depending on the size and depth of the incision.
Signs of an Infection After Skin Cancer Removal
It is common to experience some soreness and redness after surgery. However, if your symptoms seem to be worsening rather than improving, it could be a sign of an infection.
Signs of infection include:
Risk Factors
You may be more likely to develop an infection after skin cancer removal if you havetype I diabetes, or another chronic disease that weakens the immune system.
Research shows that males may be more likely to develop infection after skin surgery, too. Although it’s not entirely clear why, researchers believe that males may be less likely than females to adhere to post-surgery wound care instructions.
The risk of developing an infection after skin cancer removal may also be higher if:
If your surgeon thinks you have a higher risk of infection, you may be prescribed a preventive course of antibiotics to take after your surgery.
What Do Skin Infections Look Like?
Ways to Treat an Infection at Home
If you are concerned that you have developed an infection following skin cancer removal surgery, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider.
To care for your surgical wound at home, follow the surgeon’s instructions carefully. Make sure to clean the wound according to the recommended schedule and cover it with a new bandage or gauze. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your wound.
When to Seek Professional Treatment for a Skin Cancer Removal Infection
Always talk with a healthcare provider if you suspect you have developed a skin infection. Call your provider right away if you develop a fever, or if your surgical site has any of the following symptoms:
Most rounds of antibiotics are prescribed for seven to 10 days. Depending on how severe your infection is, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.
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If your infection is advanced, your doctor may ask you to return to the office for more invasive treatment. To clean the wound, the doctor will remove the staples or sutures and remove the dead or infected tissue. This process is known asdebridement.
The doctor will then rinse the wound with salt water and drain any pus. The wound is generally wrapped with dressings soaked in salt water (saline) and covered with a bandage.
Summary
It is possible to develop an infection after skin cancer removal surgery. Common signs include redness, swelling, pus, a foul smell, increased pain, and a fever. Call your surgeon if you are concerned that you have developed a new infection. Treatment options include antibiotics or cleaning out the wound. To help prevent infection, follow your surgeon’s instructions for wound care carefully.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe healing time for your surgical site will depend on how large and where the incision is located. Many skin cancer removal incisions heal within two to four weeks. If you have any underlying medical conditions or take certain medications, the healing time may take longer.You can tell an infection is healing after skin cancer removal when the signs of infection start to subside. The incision site should get less red, swollen, and tender, and it should stop draining pus. A little redness around the incision site is normal, but it should not be getting worse. You should notice a healthy scab forming over the incision.While a minor infection may be able to be treated at home, it’s always best to talk with your dermatologist. If you develop any signs of infection, such as worsening pain or pus draining from the wound, call your doctor to get it checked out.
Frequently Asked Questions
The healing time for your surgical site will depend on how large and where the incision is located. Many skin cancer removal incisions heal within two to four weeks. If you have any underlying medical conditions or take certain medications, the healing time may take longer.
You can tell an infection is healing after skin cancer removal when the signs of infection start to subside. The incision site should get less red, swollen, and tender, and it should stop draining pus. A little redness around the incision site is normal, but it should not be getting worse. You should notice a healthy scab forming over the incision.
While a minor infection may be able to be treated at home, it’s always best to talk with your dermatologist. If you develop any signs of infection, such as worsening pain or pus draining from the wound, call your doctor to get it checked out.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Surgical site infections.American Cancer Society.Basal & squamous cell skin cancer surgery.UR Medicine.Mohs surgery post-operative care.NYU Langone Health.Surgical procedures for basal & squamous cell skin cancers.American Society for Mohs Surgery.Wound care a crucial aspect of Mohs recovery.Schlager J, Hartmann D, Wallmichrath J, et al.Patient-dependent risk factors for wound infection after skin surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Wound. 2022 Nov;19(7):1748-1757. doi:10.1111/iwj.13780Delpachitra MR, Heal C, Banks J, Divakaran P, Pawar M.Risk factors for surgical site infection in minor dermatological surgery: A systematic review.ASWC. 2019 May;32(5):217-226. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000546118.25057.1aKendziora B, Patzer K, French L, Schlager J, Hartmann D.Antibiotic prophylaxis of surgical site infections in cutaneous surgery: A prospective observational study.Acta Derm Venereol. 2023;103(1):4469. doi:10.2340/actadv.v103.4469Grant J, Le Saux N.Duration of antibiotic therapy for common infections.J Assoc Microbiol Infect Dis Can. 2021 Sep;6(3):181-197. doi:10.3138/jammi-2021-04-29
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Surgical site infections.American Cancer Society.Basal & squamous cell skin cancer surgery.UR Medicine.Mohs surgery post-operative care.NYU Langone Health.Surgical procedures for basal & squamous cell skin cancers.American Society for Mohs Surgery.Wound care a crucial aspect of Mohs recovery.Schlager J, Hartmann D, Wallmichrath J, et al.Patient-dependent risk factors for wound infection after skin surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Wound. 2022 Nov;19(7):1748-1757. doi:10.1111/iwj.13780Delpachitra MR, Heal C, Banks J, Divakaran P, Pawar M.Risk factors for surgical site infection in minor dermatological surgery: A systematic review.ASWC. 2019 May;32(5):217-226. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000546118.25057.1aKendziora B, Patzer K, French L, Schlager J, Hartmann D.Antibiotic prophylaxis of surgical site infections in cutaneous surgery: A prospective observational study.Acta Derm Venereol. 2023;103(1):4469. doi:10.2340/actadv.v103.4469Grant J, Le Saux N.Duration of antibiotic therapy for common infections.J Assoc Microbiol Infect Dis Can. 2021 Sep;6(3):181-197. doi:10.3138/jammi-2021-04-29
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Surgical site infections.American Cancer Society.Basal & squamous cell skin cancer surgery.UR Medicine.Mohs surgery post-operative care.NYU Langone Health.Surgical procedures for basal & squamous cell skin cancers.American Society for Mohs Surgery.Wound care a crucial aspect of Mohs recovery.Schlager J, Hartmann D, Wallmichrath J, et al.Patient-dependent risk factors for wound infection after skin surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Wound. 2022 Nov;19(7):1748-1757. doi:10.1111/iwj.13780Delpachitra MR, Heal C, Banks J, Divakaran P, Pawar M.Risk factors for surgical site infection in minor dermatological surgery: A systematic review.ASWC. 2019 May;32(5):217-226. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000546118.25057.1aKendziora B, Patzer K, French L, Schlager J, Hartmann D.Antibiotic prophylaxis of surgical site infections in cutaneous surgery: A prospective observational study.Acta Derm Venereol. 2023;103(1):4469. doi:10.2340/actadv.v103.4469Grant J, Le Saux N.Duration of antibiotic therapy for common infections.J Assoc Microbiol Infect Dis Can. 2021 Sep;6(3):181-197. doi:10.3138/jammi-2021-04-29
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Surgical site infections.
American Cancer Society.Basal & squamous cell skin cancer surgery.
UR Medicine.Mohs surgery post-operative care.
NYU Langone Health.Surgical procedures for basal & squamous cell skin cancers.
American Society for Mohs Surgery.Wound care a crucial aspect of Mohs recovery.
Schlager J, Hartmann D, Wallmichrath J, et al.Patient-dependent risk factors for wound infection after skin surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Wound. 2022 Nov;19(7):1748-1757. doi:10.1111/iwj.13780
Delpachitra MR, Heal C, Banks J, Divakaran P, Pawar M.Risk factors for surgical site infection in minor dermatological surgery: A systematic review.ASWC. 2019 May;32(5):217-226. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000546118.25057.1a
Kendziora B, Patzer K, French L, Schlager J, Hartmann D.Antibiotic prophylaxis of surgical site infections in cutaneous surgery: A prospective observational study.Acta Derm Venereol. 2023;103(1):4469. doi:10.2340/actadv.v103.4469
Grant J, Le Saux N.Duration of antibiotic therapy for common infections.J Assoc Microbiol Infect Dis Can. 2021 Sep;6(3):181-197. doi:10.3138/jammi-2021-04-29
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