Home Care After Lip Biopsy

This Health Facts for You will tell you what to expect after a lip biopsy and how to care for your wound.

Biopsy Site

Your wound site will be red, tender, bruised and swollen for the first few days. This is normal! The suture should absorb in 10-21 days. The knot buried within the wound should also absorb over a longer period of time.

Ice

Start icing the outside of your lip right away. Ice for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Place a cloth between ice pack and lip.

Pain

Mild pain is normal. If needed, take either ibuprofen 800 mg or naproxen 440 mg with food to relieve pain. Talk to your doctor if you are restricted from taking these medicines.

Diet Guidelines

For the first 48 hours after the biopsy, avoid foods with small seeds (e.g. tomatoes and strawberries).

Signs of Infection

• Increasing redness, swelling, or severe pain around the biopsy site

• Fever

• White, green or yellow discharge from the site
  

When to Call

Call if you have:

• Signs of infection

• Severe pain or pain that worsens over time

• Questions about the care of your biopsy site
  

Who to Call

West Clinic Rheumatology

608-263-7577