Side Effects of Mohs Surgery

Side effects of Mohs surgery tend to be fairly mild, since this type of surgery is relatively non-invasive. However, there are a few side effects to consider, most of which are related to healing and are typical of any surgical procedure.

General Side Effects

General side effects of Mohs surgery include bruising, bleeding, scabbing and eventual scarring. There may also be redness, itching or inflammation at the surgery site. Most discomfort can be handled with over the counter pain killers, but your doctor might prescribe a more powerful pain killer if you feel you need it, or if your surgery was more extensive.

More Serious Side Effects

The doctor who performs your Mohs surgery will probably give you instructions on how to care for your incisions, as well as a list of symptoms to keep an eye out for. If any of these more serious symptoms arise, you should contact the doctor right away. These can include:

  • Extreme redness
  • Extensive, severe inflammation
  • Fever
  • Nausea or faintness

Any of these could be an indication of an underlying problem, such as a severe post-operative infection, and should be seen to by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Also possible as a more serious side effect of Mohs surgery is severe scarring. If you have a tendency to develop abnormal scarring, such as keloids, be sure your doctor knows this. Some measures can be taken during the healing process to minimize the development of keloids, such as compression bandages.

In general, risks and side effects of Mohs surgery are minor. Paying close attention to your doctor's instructions, as well as being sure to take any prescribed medication, will help minimize even these possible side effects and ensure successful healing.