Skin Care And Sunlight: Why They Don't Go Together

Certain dietary or nutritional supplements should be avoided before your Mohs surgery to help prevent complications during and after your procedure. While you will not be under general anesthesia during your surgery, you can still have a bad reaction if you take certain supplements after you have been given a local anesthetic. Here are some dietary supplements to avoid until you are fully recovered from your skin cancer surgery.

Ephedra

Ephedra, also known as ma huang, is often used to manage the symptoms of colds and flu such as coughing, nasal congestion, muscle pain, and fever. It is also used to treat breathing disorders such as bronchitis and asthma.

Ephedra has properties similar to those in the medication pseudoephedrine, which is used in non-prescription decongestants. It can cause significant side effects such as high blood pressure, a fast heart rate, chest pain, cardiac arrhythmia, and rapid breathing.

Taking ephedra before your Mohs surgery may put you at risk for heart attack and stroke, and it may also raise your risk for abnormal bleeding during your procedure. If you take ephedra prior to your skin cancer surgery, you may suffer a panic attack during the procedure, as well as chest pain, numbness and tingling sensations, nausea, and vomiting. 

Garlic

Garlic supplements are used in the management of hyperlipidemia. It is thought to lower total cholesterol levels while increasing your "good cholesterol," known as high-density lipoproteins. Garlic also helps reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks because it has anti-clotting properties. It can also raise your risk for heavy bleeding during and after your dermatological surgery.

Garlic, and its active ingredient allicin, inhibits platelet aggregation and makes your blood platelets less sticky. Because of this, your blood may take longer to clot during surgery. Garlic supplements may also interfere with the medications your dermatologist prescribes for you after your skin procedure. Decreased platelet aggregation may cause heavy post-operative bleeding that may be difficult to control. If heavy post-operative bleeding is not controlled, anemia may develop. 

If you have skin cancer and have scheduled your Mohs surgery, talk to your doctor about both the medications you take as well as your dietary supplements. When your dermatologist knows about your medication and supplement history, he or she will know what to expect during your procedure so that immediate interventions can be implemented in the event of an emergency. Your doctor may also advise you to stop taking your supplements a week or more before your scheduled surgery.