Skin Biopsy Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a skin biopsy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Scarring
• Nerve damage

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Immunosuppression
• Bleeding disorders
• Circulatory problems

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
• Any new symptoms

In case of emergency, CALL 911.