Me again. It's been 4 weeks next Monday and the site has still not healed and still hurts some, and also a bit of oozing. I know I'm a slow healer due to age, an autoimmune disease, and medications including a steroid, so would it be normal to take this long for a shave biopsy for squamous cell to heal? At one time, I think it was getting infected because there seemed to be some pus plus the redness all around it was hot, like feverish, but it is better now, just still not near healed IMO. I thought the care instructions were rather weird anyhow. The children have been after me to call the doctor but I've hesitated.
How long does it normally take for something like this to heal?
Thanks.
(I wrote a similar message a bit ago but when I signed in, I think I lost it so if it ends up coming through twice, I apologize.)
I have found mine hurt 3-4days later worse when the swelling goes down .. then they tend to bruise up too .. I am sorry you had squamous results but very glad they got it all and not another melanoma!
The 3 mos plan ... yep, me too.
C~
Thanks for the reply. Your experience made me feel better about the fact it was hurting worse several days out. It IS feeling better today.
Doctor called this morning with the results of the biopsy and it WAS squamous cell, but she thinks they went deep enough with the shaving that they got it all...and soon enough, so I'm glad I don't have to have more surgery or treatment on it. I go back in 3 months to check on it and the two places on the other leg that she did cryosugery (?) on.
Thanks again for the reply and making me feel better about the pain.
I have found the shave biopsies to be more painful than the re-excisions done wide margin. I, too, had an early melanoma caught early and numerous large shave re-excisions. They tend to hurt worse quite a few days later; just be sure not infected, though.
The skin usually starts to heal with a rim of light pink.
I'm only a patient, not a Dr., so if concerned I'd call just to be sure.
C~