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  • It is currently Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:35 am

Mole infection and removal.

This section of the forum is dedicated to discussions on mole removal, Dr. Lam’s philosophy, technique, and results regarding removal of facial moles, nevi, and other facial lesions. (Also see, Scar revision and keloid management forum.)
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Mole infection and removal.

Postby serendipity525 » Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:26 pm

I have a large, unsightly mole on my chin. I am 25 years old, and I've had it since I was about 18. I planned to get it removed this Christmas (2010).

3 months ago however, a can fell from the top shelf in the kitchen and hit my chin, causing the area on the top part of the mole to become inflamed. A few days later it looked like a huge pimple above the mole. It became infected and turned very red. I assumed it would heal on its own. However, it stayed very red and swollen for about 3 weeks. I went to the doctor to have it looked at.

I was perscribed an antibiotic in case of infection and also given a steroid injection to help with the swelling. The infection was cultured.

I was called about 5 days later and told that my culture came back showing I needed a different antibiotic to combat the bacteria. I was on this new antibiotic for 10 days. The mole was going through stages of becoming inflamed, draining, scabbing, and becoming inflamed again. The steroid injection drained for the whole time and did not close.

After finishing the new antibiotics with not much change in the infection, I went back to the doctor and was perscribed more antibiotics for another 7 days to treat the same bacterial infection. I didn't notice much of a change in the look of the mole. It still would swell, drain, and regrow.

I then went to a different doctor who cut a crater into the mole and told me that the steriod might have actually kept it from healing and harboroed bacteria under the skin. He dug into the mole and removed everything and instructed me to do 5 compresses a day, keep it moist, and put vasiline on it allowing it to heal. The hole in my skin is about 1/2 the size of a dime.

My questions are:
1) What is the best way to heal this area above the mole and get it to look normal again? Other than what the doctor perscribed?
2) Will this deep crater create a bigger scar during the mole removal?
3) Have you worked with a case like this before? Any suggestions?

Counting the mole and the infected area above the mole, it's doubled in size. The whole thing is about the size of a dime. I still want it removed, but I am afraid the scar will be really, really bad with all of this trauma to the skin. My skin seems ragged and worn out from all the poking, prodding, pussing, and draining. :roll:
serendipity525
 
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Re: Mole infection and removal.

Postby dr. lam » Sun Oct 24, 2010 7:41 pm

1) What is the best way to heal this area above the mole and get it to look normal again? Other than what the doctor perscribed?
FIRST OF ALL, I CANNOT GIVE YOU MEDICAL ADVICE ON HERE, JUST GENERAL IDEAS. I REALLY DO NOT HAVE MORE TO OFFER. ONLY THE DOCTOR WHO IS SEEING YOU SHOULD BE GIVING YOU ADVICE.
2) Will this deep crater create a bigger scar during the mole removal? AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THIS UNLESS I SEE YOU. HOWEVER, ANYTIME THERE HAS BEEN PREVIOUS INJURY WITH DAMAGED TISSUE SCARRING POTENTIAL CAN INCREASE. YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON NEEDS TO LOOK AT IT AND MAKE A SPECIFIC JUDGMENT REGARDING RISK IN YOUR SITUATION.
3) Have you worked with a case like this before? Any suggestions?
NOT EXACTLY. I REALLY WISH I COULD BE MORE HELPFUL BUT I WILL MOST LIKELY BE DOING A DISSERVICE TO YOU BY GIVING BIG SWEEPING STATEMENTS THAT DON'T REALLY APPLY TO YOU SPECIFICALLY.
best,
sml
Samuel M. Lam, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Diplomate, American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery
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