Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C)

Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C) is a surgical procedure used for decades to remove certain skin lesions such as warts, angiomas, actinic keratosis, basal cell skin cancers, and squamous cell skin cancers. First, a small injection of local anesthetic is placed.

Scraping or burning-off skin growths can be used for less serious skin cancers, pre-cancers, and benign growths. A local anesthetic is injected, and then the abnormal tissue is scraped off with a special tool. The area is then cauterized until the bleeding stops. This may be repeated if the growth is cancerous. The wound will need to be dressed until it heals, and it usually leaves a small white mark.

Schedule Appointment

Aura Dermatology and cosmetic robbinsville new jersey

Electrodesiccation and Curettage Procedure

Curettage and electrodesiccation is an outpatient procedure, typically performed in a doctor’s office rather than in a hospital. While it may sound uncomfortable, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area.

During the procedure, the doctor first cleans the skin and then applies a numbing medication.
Once the area is numb, the doctor uses a curette to scrape away abnormal cells, which are sent to a laboratory for testing.
Once the tissue has been removed, the skin is cauterized to kill off any remaining cancer cells and stop the bleeding.
The doctor may need to repeat the process several times. If there’s more than one area of concern, a C&E may be performed on multiple parts in one treatment.
When finished, the doctor covers the wound with a bandage and provides after-care instructions on how often to change the dressing, when and how to clean the wound, and when to return for a follow-up appointment. There are typically no stitches required.

Generally, you’ll need to wash the wound twice per day with clean water, then cover it with petroleum jelly and a nonstick bandage.

Frequently Asked Questions – ED&C

Is curettage and electrodesiccation painful?
How long does Electrodesiccation take to heal?

A wound from Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C) typically takes 2-3 weeks to heal. If the treatment is performed on the lower extremities, the wound can take 2-3 months to fully heal. ED&C may be performed more than once if additional cancerous cells present themselves in the same area.
How long does it take for curettage to heal?
Does Electrodessication cause scarring?
How do you care for a wound after a curettage and electrodesiccation?
If you’ve had an electrodesiccation and curettage (scraping and burning) procedure follow these post-care instructions:
1. Clean the wound daily with antibacterial soap and water.
2. After cleansing, apply a thin coat of Polsporin or Vaseline to the area (do NOT use Neosporin, which may cause an allergic reaction) and bandage every day until the wound is healed.
3. Bleeding is rare, but if it should occur, apply direct, firm pressure to the bleeding site for a full 15 minutes without easing up. If the bleeding continues, despite your efforts, please call our office.
4. It can take up to 2-3 months for your wound to completely heal. Initially, some oozing from the site is normal. The wound is healed when there is no longer a crust on the site or drainage on the bandage.

Schedule an Appointment

Call us at one of the numbers below:

Robbinsville, NJ – (609) 415-3376 Somerset, NJ – (732) 246-9900 Edison, NJ – (732) 912-7909.

~or~

Schedule Online Contact Us

*Financing options are available. Click to learn more.