How long does curettage and cautery take to work for keratoacanthoma?

Curettage removes the visible keratoacanthoma tissue and cautery treats the base or controls bleeding. The site may be tender, red, crusted, or moist while a new surface forms. The original lump can therefore be gone before the wound looks settled.

A keratoacanthoma is a fast-growing skin lump that can resemble other skin growths. The diagnosis and treatment choice need professional assessment, and the removed tissue may be handled according to the clinician's diagnostic plan. Do not use the healing appearance alone to decide that no review is needed.

Follow the clinic's instructions for dressings, cleansing, and activity. Keep hands away from the crust, avoid friction over the site, and protect it from direct sun once advised. Keep every planned review, even if the area appears flat, because the clinician may need to check wound healing and the treated margin.

Tell the clinician about any new lump near the treated area or a lesion that begins growing again. Bring details about when you first noticed the growth and how quickly it changed.

Contact the treating clinic promptly for increasing pain, warmth, swelling, spreading redness, pus, fever, or bleeding that does not settle with gentle pressure. Seek timely assessment if a new or recurrent lump grows, becomes ulcerated, or remains persistently sore rather than following the expected healing pattern.

Ask how often the wound should be checked, what the pathology or diagnostic follow-up plan is, when the dressing can change, and which symptoms require same-day advice. Confirm what to do if the growth returns or another rapidly enlarging lump appears.