Mohs Surgery Recovery: Pressure Dressing, Stitches and the First Two Weeks of Wound Care

The hardest part of the day is often not the surgery itself. It is the drive home with a bulky white dressing taped to your nose or temple, a printed sheet of instructions on your lap, and the sudden realization that you are now in charge of a wound you cannot see. Nobody warns you how quiet that moment feels.

Mohs surgery recovery is, in truth, mostly a series of small, repeatable tasks: keeping a pressure dressing in place, learning to change a bandage without wincing, protecting a line of stitches, and knowing which changes are ordinary and which deserve a phone call. Done patiently, those tasks give a wound the best chance to heal cleanly.

This guide walks through the first two weeks in the order they actually unfold, from the pressure dressing to suture removal, and separates what the evidence supports from what circulates in waiting rooms. Wherever your surgeon’s sheet differs from what you read here, follow the sheet.

What actually happens during Mohs surgery, and why recovery starts before you leave

Mohs surgery, also called Mohs micrographic surgery, is a procedure in which a surgeon removes a skin cancer one thin layer at a time and examines each layer under a microscope before deciding whether to remove more. The aim is to take out all of the cancer while sparing as much healthy skin as possible, which matters a great deal on the face, ears, hands and other places where every millimeter counts, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The rhythm of the day explains a lot about the wound you take home. After a local anesthetic numbs the area, the surgeon removes a first layer, applies a temporary bandage, and sends the tissue to an on-site lab. Processing each layer takes time, so patients wait, sometimes for an hour or more between stages. Mayo Clinic notes the whole visit can stretch across several hours even when only one or two layers are needed.

Once the margins are clear, meaning no cancer cells remain at the edges of the removed tissue, the surgeon decides how to manage the opening. Options include closing it with stitches in a straight line, moving nearby skin to cover it (a flap), borrowing skin from elsewhere (a graft), or leaving it to heal on its own. That decision, made in the last minutes of the appointment, sets the shape of your recovery.

Recovery therefore begins in the chair, not at home. The pressure dressing applied before you stand up is the first piece of wound care, and the instructions you receive are specific to the closure you were given. Two people leaving the same clinic on the same afternoon can have completely different aftercare, and neither is doing it wrong.

Who is usually offered Mohs surgery, and who is usually asked to wait

Mohs surgery is most often used for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most common non-melanoma skin cancers, particularly when the tumor sits in a cosmetically or functionally sensitive area, has poorly defined edges, has come back after earlier treatment, or is large or aggressive under the microscope. The NHS describes it as one of several surgical options, alongside standard excision, curettage and other approaches, chosen according to the type, size and position of the cancer.

Not everyone with a skin cancer is steered toward Mohs. Small, well-defined tumors on the trunk or limbs are frequently handled with conventional excision, where the surgeon removes the growth with a margin of normal skin and sends it to a lab afterward. Some very superficial cancers may be managed with topical treatments, freezing or scraping and cauterizing, again depending on the pathology report and the person’s overall health.

People are sometimes asked to postpone rather than proceed. Common reasons include an active skin infection at or near the site, a recent change in blood-thinning medicine that the prescribing clinician needs to weigh in on, an illness that makes a long clinic day unsafe, or a wound elsewhere that is still healing. Surgeons also want to know about pacemakers, artificial joints, heart valve problems and any history of poor healing or heavy scarring, because those details influence how the wound is closed and monitored.

None of this is a judgment about the seriousness of the cancer. It reflects a team matching the tool to the tumor and the timing to the person. If you were offered a different treatment or told to wait, it is reasonable to ask what changed the calculation, and the treating team should be able to explain it in plain terms.

What the pressure dressing does and how long it stays on

A pressure dressing is a thick, snugly taped bandage that presses gently on the wound to limit bleeding and swelling in the first hours after surgery. It looks oversized because it is meant to be. Several layers of gauze absorb any ooze, and the tape holds steady pressure on small blood vessels that were cut and sealed during the procedure.

The Cleveland Clinic advises leaving this first bandage undisturbed for roughly 24 to 48 hours, or for whatever period your surgeon specified. Resist the urge to peek. Lifting the edge to check underneath breaks the seal, lets air and bacteria in, and can restart bleeding that had stopped.

A little staining on the outer gauze is common, especially on the scalp, forehead and ears, where blood supply is rich. If a spot appears, sit down, apply firm and continuous pressure with a clean cloth for a full twenty minutes by the clock, and avoid the reflex to lift and look every few seconds. Most minor oozing settles with this. Bleeding that soaks through the dressing or drips despite steady pressure is a reason to call the surgeon’s line, and that guidance appears again in the red-flag section below.

Keep the dressing dry. Showering with the first bandage in place is usually discouraged; a sponge wash that avoids the area is the safer choice for the first day or two. Sleep with your head slightly raised on an extra pillow if the wound is on the face or scalp, which helps limit the puffiness that peaks on the second or third day. When the time comes to remove the dressing, do it slowly, ideally after a warm shower has loosened the adhesive, and have your supplies laid out so the wound is not exposed for long.

Mohs surgery recovery hour by hour: the first 48 hours at home

The first evening is usually calmer than people expect. Local anesthetic often lingers for a few hours, so discomfort tends to arrive gradually rather than all at once. Plan a quiet night: a light meal, a low chair, no lifting and no alcohol, which widens blood vessels and can encourage bleeding.

Discomfort is generally described as soreness or a pulling sensation rather than sharp pain. Mayo Clinic notes that over-the-counter pain relief is often sufficient, but which medicine is appropriate depends on your other prescriptions and health conditions, and some common painkillers can increase bleeding risk. Ask the surgical team which type they prefer you use, and check with your pharmacist or prescribing clinician if you take anticoagulants. This guide deliberately gives no doses or product names; that decision sits with the people who know your chart.

Swelling and bruising build over the first two or three days, particularly around the eyes, where loose tissue collects fluid easily. A wound on the forehead can produce a black eye by day two even though nothing was done to the eyelid. Gravity is the explanation, not a complication. A cool compress held over the dressing for short spells can ease this, provided it does not soak the bandage.

Movement should be gentle and purposeful. Walking around the house is fine; bending over to garden, carrying groceries, or exercising hard is not. Anything that raises blood pressure or puts tension on the wound, including heavy laughing or straining, can loosen a closure or restart oozing. Sleeping on the side of the wound is best avoided if you can manage it.

By the end of day two, most people are ready to remove the pressure dressing, look at the wound for the first time, and begin the daily routine described next. It rarely looks pretty at this stage. Redness at the edges, a slightly raised line and some crusting are all part of the process.

Stitches, flaps, grafts or open healing: how the wound is closed

Understanding which closure you have makes every aftercare instruction easier to follow. A suture is simply a surgical stitch. Some are placed under the skin and dissolve on their own; others sit on the surface and are removed at a follow-up visit. MedlinePlus notes that surface stitches are commonly removed within about one to two weeks, sooner on the face where skin heals quickly and tension is low, later on the back or legs where skin is thicker and under more stress.

Closure type	What it looks like	What aftercare usually involves
Straight-line closure	A single stitched line, often longer than the original tumor to avoid puckering	Daily cleaning and ointment; surface stitches removed at follow-up; avoid stretching the line
Local flap	Nearby skin moved to cover the defect, leaving an L-, Z- or curved-shaped line	Watch color of the moved skin; more swelling early; strict rest of the area
Skin graft	Skin taken from another site (often behind the ear or the collarbone area) laid over the wound	Bolster dressing left in place as instructed; two sites to care for; graft may look dusky at first
Second-intention (open) healing	No stitches; wound left to fill in from the base	Daily moist dressing changes for several weeks; more upkeep, often good results in concave areas

Flaps and grafts carry their own vocabulary. A flap keeps its original blood supply, which is why it tends to heal reliably but swells more. A graft has to grow a new blood supply from the wound bed, so it may look purple, pale or crusted during the first week and is protected with a firm bolster dressing that must not be disturbed until the surgeon says so.

Open healing, sometimes called healing by second intention, is not a shortcut or a sign that closure was impossible. Surgeons often choose it deliberately for concave spots such as the inner corner of the eye or the bowl of the ear, where new tissue tends to fill in smoothly. It simply asks more of you at the sink.

Cleaning and dressing a stitched Mohs wound: a routine you can repeat

Once the pressure dressing is off, most stitched wounds settle into a once- or twice-daily routine that takes about five minutes. Wash your hands first, every time. MedlinePlus advises cleaning a closed surgical wound gently with mild soap and water, patting rather than rubbing, and avoiding harsh antiseptics unless your team has specifically instructed otherwise.

The temptation to use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol is strong because they feel thorough. The evidence does not support it. Both can damage the delicate new cells forming at the wound edge and slow healing. Plain water and gentle soap do the job.

After cleaning, apply a thin layer of the ointment your surgeon recommended. Many Mohs teams prefer plain petroleum-based ointment over antibiotic ointments, partly because some people develop an allergic skin reaction to common topical antibiotics, and partly because keeping the wound moist is what actually speeds closure. A moist wound heals faster and scars less than one allowed to dry into a thick scab, a point emphasized across Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic guidance.

Cover the wound with a fresh non-stick pad and secure it with paper tape or a bandage sized to the area. Change the dressing if it becomes wet or dirty. Some surgeons allow the wound to go uncovered after several days once it has sealed; others prefer continuous coverage until the stitches come out. Follow the version on your sheet.

Do not pick at crusts, however satisfying it feels. Crust that lifts off on its own during cleaning is fine to let go; crust that resists is protecting tissue underneath. If a stitch end pokes out and catches on clothing, a dab of ointment tames it. Cutting or pulling a stitch yourself is never a good idea; call the office instead.

Mohs surgery aftercare when the wound is left open to heal

Open wounds ask for a different mindset. There is no line to protect, but there is a shallow crater that must be kept clean and moist every day until it fills from the bottom up. MedlinePlus describes the general approach for open surgical wounds: gentle cleansing, a moist dressing that does not stick, and a schedule of changes set by the surgical team.

In practice this means removing the old dressing, cleaning the wound with mild soap and water or saline as instructed, patting the surrounding skin dry, applying a generous layer of ointment directly into the wound so it stays glistening, and covering it with a non-stick pad. Once a day is common; twice may be advised for wounds that produce more fluid in the first week.

The wound changes appearance as it heals, and the changes can alarm people who were not warned. Early on, the base may look yellowish and slightly bumpy. That granulation tissue, the pink or red new tissue that builds up from the wound floor, is exactly what should be happening, even when it looks moist and raw. The edges gradually creep inward and the whole area shrinks over several weeks. Mayo Clinic notes that wounds left to heal on their own generally take longer than stitched wounds, often several weeks depending on size and location.

Two signs help you distinguish healthy healing from trouble. Healthy tissue is pink to red, moist and painless to touch. Concerning tissue is spreading in redness, increasingly painful, warm, or producing thick, cloudy or foul-smelling fluid. The first is ordinary. The second belongs in the red-flag section and warrants a call.

Open healing is more work, and it is fair to say so. The payoff is often a soft, flat result in places where stitches would have pulled surrounding features out of line.

How long does Mohs surgery take to heal?

The honest answer has three timelines, and confusion comes from mixing them up. The first is the wound sealing, when the surface closes and the risk of infection drops sharply. For a stitched wound, this usually coincides with suture removal within about one to two weeks, per MedlinePlus. For an open wound, it can take several weeks, as Mayo Clinic describes.

The second timeline is strength. A freshly stitched wound holds together because of the sutures, not because the tissue is strong. In the first weeks after the stitches come out, the new skin has only a fraction of its final strength and can split under tension. This is why surgeons ask people to avoid heavy lifting, vigorous exercise and stretching the area for several weeks even after the line looks closed. Skin regains most of its strength gradually over a couple of months.

The third timeline is appearance. A scar that looks red, raised and prominent at six weeks is normal. Cleveland Clinic notes that scars continue to fade and soften for a year or more as the collagen, the protein scaffolding of healing skin, remodels itself. Judging a scar at a month is like judging a house by the framing.

People also ask how long it takes to feel better, which is a different question. Most describe soreness easing within a few days and swelling largely settling within one to two weeks, though bruising around the eyes can linger longer. Fatigue on the day after surgery is common; a long clinic day is tiring even without a wound.

None of these figures is a promise. Age, smoking, diabetes, blood thinners, the size of the defect and its location all shift the ranges. The surgical team can give you a range tailored to your wound, and that estimate will be more accurate than any general guide.

Pain, swelling, bruising and numbness: what is usually part of the process

Discomfort after Mohs surgery is real but rarely severe. The wound feels tight, sore and occasionally itchy. Sharp, escalating pain that is worse on day three than on day one is not typical and deserves a call, because it can signal a collection of blood under the skin or an infection.

Swelling behaves predictably. It rises over the first two to three days and then recedes. Facial wounds swell more than those on the back or limbs because facial tissue is loose and richly supplied with blood. Sleeping with the head elevated and applying cool compresses through the dressing in the first two days are the two measures most commonly recommended by Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic.

Bruising migrates. A wound on the forehead can leave a bruise under the eye; a wound on the cheek can leave one along the jaw. This is gravity pulling blood down through loose tissue planes. It resolves over one to two weeks and changes color as it goes, from purple to green to yellow. None of that reflects the health of the wound itself.

Numbness surprises many people. Small sensory nerves in the skin are inevitably cut during surgery, so an area around the scar may feel numb, tingly or oddly sensitive. Sensation often returns gradually over months as nerves regrow, though a small patch of altered feeling can persist. Mayo Clinic lists temporary or, less commonly, permanent numbness among the recognized effects.

Itching in the second week is a good sign in disguise; it accompanies new skin growth. Moisturizing around, not on, the wound and keeping fingernails away are the practical answers. If itching comes with a spreading rash under the tape, you may be reacting to the adhesive or ointment, and the team can suggest an alternative.

What not to do after Mohs surgery

The list of restrictions is short, and each item has a mechanism behind it rather than tradition.

• Do not lift, strain or exercise hard in the first days. Anything that raises blood pressure pushes blood into freshly sealed vessels and can cause bleeding or a hematoma, a pocket of blood under the skin. Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding strenuous activity for at least the first several days, and longer if the surgeon says so.
• Do not bend with your head below your heart for facial or scalp wounds. Gardening, tying shoes with a deep bend and picking up children all count.
• Do not drink alcohol for the first day or two. It dilates blood vessels and impairs judgment about resting.
• Do not smoke. Nicotine narrows blood vessels and starves healing tissue of oxygen. Smoking is one of the strongest predictors of poor wound healing and flap or graft failure, a point Mayo Clinic and MedlinePlus both raise for surgical wounds generally.
• Do not soak the wound in a bath, pool, hot tub or the ocean until cleared. Standing water carries bacteria, and prolonged soaking softens the wound edges. Brief showers are generally allowed after the pressure dressing comes off.
• Do not apply makeup, sunscreen or skincare products directly on the wound until the surface is fully closed and your team gives the go-ahead.
• Do not change your prescribed medicines on your own. Blood thinners in particular should never be stopped or restarted without the clinician who prescribed them weighing in.
• Do not expose the wound to sun. Fresh scars darken permanently with ultraviolet exposure. Shade and a hat protect it early; sunscreen comes later, once the skin has sealed.

One restriction that is often overstated is total bed rest. Gentle walking helps circulation and mood and does not endanger the wound. The goal is to avoid strain, not movement.

Is a Mohs surgery scar normal, and what does it look like over time?

Every Mohs wound leaves a scar. That sentence disappoints some people, so it is worth stating plainly and early. The technique spares healthy tissue, which usually means a smaller defect than other methods would leave, but no surgery on skin heals invisibly. Mayo Clinic lists scarring as an expected outcome rather than a complication.

What surprises people is the length of the line. A round tumor the size of a pencil eraser is often closed with a straight scar two to three times as long. Closing a circle directly creates puckers at each end, so surgeons extend the incision into a narrow ellipse and align it with natural skin folds. Longer and flatter almost always ages better than shorter and puckered.

The scar’s appearance follows a recognizable arc. In the first two weeks it is pink, slightly raised and may have small marks where sutures crossed it. From one to three months it is often at its reddest and firmest, sometimes with a lump beneath it as internal dissolvable stitches break down. From three months onward it gradually flattens, softens and fades toward skin color. Cleveland Clinic describes this maturation as continuing for a year or more.

Some people are prone to raised scars. A hypertrophic scar is one that stays thick and red within the boundaries of the wound; a keloid grows beyond them. Both are more common in younger people, on the chest and shoulders, and in those with darker skin or a personal history of either. Tell your surgeon in advance if you have had thick scars before.

Measures with reasonable evidence for improving scar appearance include strict sun protection during the first year, gentle massage once the surface has sealed and the team approves, and silicone-based sheets or gels for scars at risk of becoming raised. Which of these suits your wound is a conversation for the follow-up visit, not a decision to make alone from a pharmacy aisle.

What people often get wrong about Mohs surgery recovery

“Letting it breathe helps it heal.” This is the most persistent myth in wound care and it runs opposite to the evidence. Wounds kept moist and covered heal faster and scar less than wounds left to dry and scab. A scab is a barrier that new cells must burrow beneath; ointment and a dressing let them migrate straight across.

“A little peroxide keeps it clean.” Hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol kill bacteria, but they also kill the fragile cells doing the healing. Mild soap and water is the standard, as MedlinePlus and Cleveland Clinic both advise.

“If it looks fine, I can go back to the gym.” A wound looks closed long before it is strong. Splitting a healed-looking line during a workout in week three is a common and avoidable reason for a return visit.

“The stitches coming out means I am done.” Suture removal marks the end of the first phase. Sun protection, activity limits and scar care continue for weeks to months, and a follow-up skin check is part of the plan because people who have had one skin cancer are at higher risk of another, according to the NHS.

“Antibiotic ointment is always better.” Some people develop a red, itchy reaction to common topical antibiotics that is easily mistaken for infection. Many surgical teams now prefer plain petroleum-based ointment for uncomplicated wounds. Use what your team recommended.

“Bruising near the eye means something went wrong.” Blood tracks downward through loose facial tissue. A black eye after forehead surgery is expected and resolves on its own.

“It should have healed by now.” Open wounds and grafts can take several weeks to close and look unsettling along the way. A wound that is slowly shrinking, pink at the base and not increasingly painful is on schedule, even if the calendar feels slow. When in doubt, a photo sent to the clinic settles the question faster than worry.

Questions to ask your care team before you leave the clinic

The last ten minutes of a Mohs appointment tend to be rushed, and it is easy to nod through instructions you will not remember by dinner. Asking a few targeted questions, and writing down the answers or having a companion do it, makes the first two weeks much smoother.

• Which type of closure did I have, and what should the wound look like over the next week?
• Exactly when should I remove the pressure dressing, and how?
• What should I clean the wound with, how often, and which ointment do you prefer?
• When can I shower, and when can I get the wound wet without a bandage?
• Which pain reliever type is safe for me given my other medicines, and which should I avoid?
• Should I change anything about my blood thinner or other prescriptions? Who do I ask if I am unsure?
• What activities are off-limits, and for how long? When can I resume exercise, lifting and work?
• If stitches were used, when are they removed and do I need to book that visit now?
• What bleeding, pain or appearance changes should prompt a call, and what number do I use after hours?
• Did the pathology confirm clear margins, or is anything still pending?
• When is my next skin check, and what should I watch for on the rest of my skin in the meantime?
• Are there scar-care steps you recommend once the wound has sealed?

Two questions deserve extra attention. The after-hours number matters because bleeding tends to happen in the evening after people relax and move around. Pathology matters because a small proportion of cases require an additional step, and knowing that before you leave prevents a confusing phone call later.

If you take a photograph of the wound at each dressing change, you will have a record that helps both you and the team judge progress. Comparing day seven to day three is far more reassuring than staring at day seven alone.

When to call your doctor: red-flag signs during Mohs surgery recovery

Most Mohs wounds heal without incident, but a handful of problems benefit from early attention, and surgical teams would rather hear from you than have you wait. Call the surgeon’s office, or the after-hours line, if you notice any of the following, drawn from Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and MedlinePlus guidance on surgical wounds.

• Bleeding that does not stop after twenty minutes of firm, continuous pressure, or that soaks through the dressing repeatedly.
• A rapidly enlarging, tense, painful lump under the wound, which can indicate a hematoma, a collection of blood that may need to be drained.
• Signs of infection: redness spreading outward from the edges, increasing warmth, swelling that worsens after day three, thick yellow or green discharge, a foul odor, or a fever.
• Pain that escalates rather than eases over the first few days, or pain not controlled by the approach your team recommended.
• Wound edges pulling apart, stitches that have come loose or broken, or a graft or flap that turns dark purple or black.
• A rash, blistering or intense itching under the dressing, which may signal a reaction to tape or ointment rather than infection but still needs assessment.
• New numbness, weakness or drooping in the face beyond what you were told to expect.

Seek urgent or emergency care, rather than waiting for a callback, for heavy bleeding you cannot control, difficulty breathing or swallowing after surgery near the neck or mouth, a fever with chills and feeling generally unwell, or any sudden change that frightens you. Trust that instinct.

Between visits, the everyday check is simple: is the redness shrinking or growing, is the pain easing or building, and is the fluid clear or cloudy? Two of three heading the wrong way is enough to pick up the phone. The team that performed the surgery makes every decision about what happens next, and no general guide, this one included, replaces their judgment about your wound.

Frequently asked questions

What should I not do after Mohs surgery?

Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, bending with your head below your heart, alcohol in the first day or two, smoking, soaking the wound in baths or pools, applying makeup or skincare to the wound, and exposing the fresh scar to sun. Never stop or change prescribed medicines, especially blood thinners, without the prescribing clinician’s guidance. Gentle walking is fine; the goal is avoiding strain, not movement.

How long does it take to feel better after Mohs surgery?

Most people describe soreness easing within a few days and swelling largely settling within one to two weeks, though bruising can take longer to fade. Feeling tired the day after a long clinic visit is common. The wound itself seals over one to two weeks when stitched and over several weeks when left open, according to Mayo Clinic and MedlinePlus guidance, with wide variation by size and location.

How long does Mohs surgery take to heal completely?

There are three timelines. The surface usually seals within one to two weeks for stitched wounds and several weeks for open wounds. Skin strength returns gradually over a couple of months, which is why activity limits outlast suture removal. Scar appearance keeps improving for a year or more as collagen remodels. Your surgical team can give a range specific to your closure and location.

Is it normal to have a scar after Mohs surgery?

Yes. Every surgical wound on skin leaves a scar, and Mayo Clinic lists scarring as an expected result rather than a complication. Mohs typically produces a smaller defect than other methods because it spares healthy tissue, but the closure line is often longer than the tumor to avoid puckering. Scars look reddest and firmest at one to three months and fade over the following year.

What is Mohs surgery aftercare for a stitched wound?

After the pressure dressing comes off, wash your hands, clean the wound gently with mild soap and water, pat dry, apply a thin layer of the ointment your surgeon recommended, and cover with a non-stick pad. Repeat once or twice daily as instructed. Avoid hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, do not pick crusts, and never trim or pull a stitch yourself.

How long does the pressure dressing stay on after Mohs surgery?

Cleveland Clinic advises leaving the initial pressure dressing in place for about 24 to 48 hours, or as long as your surgeon specified. Keep it dry and do not lift the edge to look underneath. If blood appears on the outside, apply firm continuous pressure for twenty minutes. Bleeding that soaks through or will not stop is a reason to call the surgical team.

What do I wish I had known before Mohs surgery?

People most often mention four things: the appointment can take several hours because of lab processing between layers; the scar is longer than the tumor; bruising and swelling peak on day two or three and can travel to the eye; and the wound looks worse before it looks better. Arranging a ride home, clearing the next day, and photographing the wound daily all make recovery easier.

Can I shower after Mohs surgery?

Usually not while the first pressure dressing is on; a sponge wash that avoids the area is safer for the first day or two. Once the dressing is removed, brief showers are generally allowed, letting water run over the wound without scrubbing and patting dry afterward. Soaking in baths, pools or hot tubs is discouraged until the team confirms the wound has sealed.

Why does my Mohs wound itch and is that a problem?

Itching in the second week usually accompanies new skin growth and is a normal part of healing. Keep fingernails away and moisturize the skin around, not on, the wound. Itching with a spreading red rash under the tape may indicate a reaction to adhesive or a topical antibiotic ointment, which is common and easily mistaken for infection. Your team can suggest an alternative dressing or ointment.

When should I call my doctor after Mohs surgery?

Call for bleeding that does not stop after twenty minutes of firm pressure, a rapidly enlarging painful lump under the wound, spreading redness, warmth, thick or foul-smelling discharge, fever, pain that worsens after the first days, wound edges separating, or a graft turning dark. Seek emergency care for heavy uncontrolled bleeding or breathing or swallowing difficulty after surgery near the neck or mouth.

References

• NHS: Non-melanoma skin cancer: treatment
• MedlinePlus: Surgical wound care: closed
• MedlinePlus: Surgical wound care: open

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.