How long does surgical excision take to work for keratoacanthoma?

Excision treats the visible growth by cutting it out with a planned margin of surrounding skin. The surgical site may be sore, swollen, or covered by a scab while it repairs. Those early changes describe healing, not whether the removed growth was fully dealt with. The tissue is commonly examined in a laboratory so the diagnosis and edges can be assessed. Your clinician will explain whether the result calls for observation, further treatment, or another review.

Keep the dressing and wound clean and follow the exact instructions from your surgical team. Avoid pulling, shaving over, or repeatedly touching the area. Take only recommended pain relief, and attend appointments for wound review, suture removal, and discussion of the tissue result. Once the wound has closed, ask about scar care and protection from sunlight. Keep an eye on the surrounding skin as well as the incision.

Call the clinic if redness spreads, pain becomes stronger, swelling increases, the wound separates, or drainage becomes cloudy or foul-smelling. Fever or feeling unwell should also be reported. Apply firm pressure and seek urgent help if bleeding remains heavy. Arrange review for a new growth near the scar, a sore that does not heal, or any change noticed before your scheduled appointment; do not wait for the wound to become painful.

Ask when your pathology result is expected, what margin was planned, when activity can resume, and which wound changes should trigger a same-day call.