"Biopsy aftercare (VACO 4 pages)" PDF

can also speak with your GP or your practise nurse about getting some Instillagel prior to
the biopsy.
Take some pain killers beforehand so they will be in your system - the numbness soon
wears off and the swelling starts quickly.
Rinsing with tepid water after passing urine and then drying on the cool setting of a hair
dryer, or with soft swabs, (particularly ones that do not shed lint which can inflame the area)
apply a soothing cream afterwards, whichever one you have found that suits you best.
A mixture of Epsom salts and warm water put into a squeezy bottle and used when you
pass urine will soothe the area for you. It also helps soothe the area when it feels irritated
Also, bathing in a warm tub with baking soda helps.
Dermal lotion is one to be sure to have in for bathing in after the biopsies. This is a really
soothing lotion and is dermatologically tested and as yet, none of the Ladies have had a
reaction to this, but always do a test area before applying to the whole of the vulva. It is very
soothing and you can also add this to the bath water, and use it to bathe with applying this
on warm damp soft swabs. It also keep the vulval skin feeling very supple which will be
more comfortable for you.
Feme Pads will also help numb your vulva and these can be purchased at Mothercare you
just need to pop them in the freezer for approx 45 minutes, then apply the disposable gauze
sleeve and place over the vulva. “Do not apply a Feme Pad without the gauze sleeve or
you risk getting a freeze burn which will be very painful”. This will numb the area for
you so you will not feel any discomfort they are very flexible and soft and contour to
the vulva area. They are also useful to apply after the biopsy as keeping the vulva numb will
help keep you pain free.
If you have had stitches after your biopsies there are a few things you can do to prevent
these feeling uncomfortable.
Have a bath every day which will help keep the edges of the stitches soft so they do not dig
in your skin and cause discomfort. If you do not have a bath, use the shower head for a few
minutes on a cool and low setting every day, anything higher will aggravate your vulva as
you could be sore for up to 2 weeks depending on the size of the area removed and the
stitches you have in. Always check the temperature of the water to be sure it is not too hot.
If you can purchase a sitz bath this will be a great help for you to pass urine in (this fits
safely over your toilet and you pass urine in this water, which will dilute your urine and will
guarantee no pain ot discomfort when you do). If you have a problem finding a sitz bath in
the UK, please email vacouk@yahoo.com and put Sitz Bath Query in the subject line as this
will help us to easily identify your query, Thank you. I will put you in touch with a supplier in
the US as it is very difficult to purchase one in the UK, although I am still trying to find a
supplier in the UK.
Try not to wear any underwear as the stitches will catch on this and can be quite painful if
you do catch those stitches.
Most stitches used on the vulva are dissolving ones, unfortunately they do not always
dissolve and they may have to be removed by a district nurse or your practise nurse or
sometime in back in clinic.
You can make this procedure a lot easier if you know in advance when the stitches are
being removed.