When to Seek Medical Care

It is necessary to call the doctor if you notice any of these signs of infection:

• excessive discharge, bleeding, or foul-smelling fluid from the wound;



• fever higher than 100 F (in an adult) or higher than 101 F (in a child); or



• if pain is severe and does not go away if you take acetaminophen (Anacin-3 Maximum Strength, Childrens Tylenol, Tylenol, Tylenol Caplet, Tylenol Caplet Extra Strength, Tylenol Extended Release, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Gelcap Extra Strength, Tylenol Suspension). (Don't use aspirin [Arthritis Pain, Aspergum Cherry, Aspergum Orginal, Aspir-Low, Aspirin Lite Coat, Aspirin Low Strength, Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Aspirin Regimen, Bayer Childrens Aspirin, Bufferin, Bufferin Arthritis Strength, Easprin, Ecotrin, Empirin, Fasprin, Genacote, Halfprin, Norwich Aspirin, St. Joseph Aspirin, St. Joseph Aspirin Adult Chewable, Stanback Analgesic, Tri-Buffered Aspirin, Zorprin] or ibuprofen [Advil, Advil Childrens, Advil Junior Strength, Advil Liquigel, Advil Migraine, Childrens Ibuprofen Berry, Genpril, IBU-200, Midol IB, Midol Maximum Strength Cramp Formula, Motrin, Motrin Childrens, Motrin IB, Motrin Infant Drops, Motrin Junior Strength, Motrin Migraine Pain, Nuprin] or their equivalents after surgery. Aspirin or similar products such as ibuprofen and naproxen [Aleve, Aleve Caplet, Aleve Easy Open Arthritis, Aleve Gelcap, Anaprox, Anaprox-DS, Comfort Pac with Naproxen, EC-Naprosyn, Leader Naproxen Sodium, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan '375', Naprelan '500', Naprosyn] can increase the likelihood of bleeding. If it is necessary for you to take such medications, ask your doctor prior to the surgery.)

Talk to your surgeon in advance if you are taking blood-thinning medications that might slow down healing time.

It is rarely necessary to go to the hospital after mole removal. If catastrophic bleeding occurs or if there is an alteration in mental state or severe infection, this may warrant a visit to the hospital's emergency department.

• Usually, it is best to call the surgeon's office if time permits to make sure the doctor does not have a suggestion, which may eliminate the need to go to the hospital.



• If excessive bleeding occurs, hold firm pressure on the wound for at least five minutes.



• Also, ice may be applied to the wound for pain management, but ice does not stop bleeding (contrary to popular myth).