The operation is performed under local anaesthetic and therefore painless. The area will remain numb for a few hours afterwards. However, once the local anaesthetic has worn off, the wound may feel tender and sore for a few days. Take your normal painkillers regularly to keep yourself comfortable.

General advice
■ Driving – You may not drive for 24 hours if you have had a general anaesthetic. There are no driving restrictions if you have had a local anaesthetic.
■ Activities – Avoid contact sports or any activities that may pull on your stitches.

If your wound is stitched and covered with a protective dressing; the stitches may require removal in 5, 7 or 10 days time. The staff will advise you if the stitches need to be removed at an outpatients appointment. Keep your wound clean and dry until your stitches have been removed, or advised by staff.

■ Bleeding – Your wound may bleed a little after the operation. If this occurs, place a clean cotton handkerchief or cloth over the area and apply constant pressure for approximately 10-15 minutes.
■ Infection – Your wound may become infected. If your wound becomes swollen, very red, very tender or starts producing a cloudy discharge, see your GP who may prescribe you antibiotics.
■ Scarring – Any surgery will result in a scar. In most cases, the scar will appear pink to start with and then eventually virtually disappear. However, sometimes the scar may remain visible. It may 3 look a different colour from the surrounding skin or be raised above the surface of the skin. Rarely, the scar may feel numb or even be painful.

Dermatofibromas are noncancerous growths and they do not become cancerous.

See a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis of any new skin growth, especially one that is dark brown or black or changes color, size or shape. See a doctor immediately if the growth bleeds, grows quickly or becomes painful.

Dermatofibromas rarely require treatment. Some people may prefer to have their dermatofibromas removed if the growth is unsightly, is in an inconvenient location (such as in a place that repeatedly becomes nicked while shaving or is irritated by clothing), or is painful or itchy.Very rarely, a certain skin cancer that initially resembles a dermatofibroma can spread. This skin cancer has a long name called a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).