What to expect from curettage and cautery for seborrheic keratosis

Seborrheic keratoses are often raised, rough, or waxy growths that can catch on clothing or become irritated. Local anaesthetic can make the area numb before a clinician uses a curette to remove the raised tissue. Cautery treats the surface or base and helps limit bleeding. The clinician may choose another method if the appearance is unusual or the diagnosis is uncertain.

The site may be tender, red, or covered by a crust afterward. Its colour can change while it heals, and a lighter or darker mark may remain. The final appearance is affected by the growth’s depth, its body location, and individual healing.

Use the dressing and cleansing routine recommended by your clinician. Wash your hands before wound care, keep the area protected from friction, and do not peel away a crust. Avoid swimming or soaking the site until you have been told that the skin barrier has recovered.

If clothing or jewellery rubs the area, use the advised covering. Tell the clinician about medicines or health conditions that may affect bleeding or healing. Attend any review if the treated lesion was sent for examination or if the diagnosis needs confirmation.

Contact a clinician if the wound keeps bleeding, pain or swelling is worsening, redness spreads, or drainage becomes thick or foul-smelling. A fever or feeling generally unwell should be assessed. Arrange review if a new or changing patch appears at the site, since not every dark or raised growth is a seborrheic keratosis.

Ask what the growth should look like during healing, whether it will be examined, how to protect the area from sun after it closes, and what to do if a similar growth becomes irritated.