Temporal artery biopsy aftercare: advice please

[LakieLady]

I had a temporal artery biopsy and was sent home with an aftercare leaflet for something completely different. I've tried ringing the hospital clinic several times today, but no-one ever answers. I'm hoping someone on here might be able to advise.

I've got internal vicryl stitches and a plaster over the top section of the wound that is like some sort of plasticky, semi-transparent mesh. All looks perfectly fine from what I can see, and I have an appointment to see the rheumatologist that ordered the biopsy (to rule out GCA) in two weeks time.

I'm desperate for a shower and hairwash, but don't know if it's ok for it to get wet. The thought of not washing my hair for a fortnight is gross, but if that's what's needed I guess I'll just have to use a shower cap.

Any advice will be much appreciated. 👏

Your hospital should have an advice info link online but here’s one, if you scroll down to page 3, after your procedure, it does say no hair washing for 2 weeks- sorry!

https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/download/clientfiles/files/Patient%20Information%20Leaflets/Surgical%20Services/Ophthalmology/Going%20home%20after%20temporal%20artery%20biopsy.pdf

Thank you, @IDontKeepChickensButBelieveTheyExist ! You must be better at googling than me, and there was nothing on my hospital's website about it.

Two weeks without a hair wash will be grim. I might see if my hairdresser thinks it feasible to do it at the salon, if I hold a towel over the affected area.

The bit about driving was intriguing, too. Before I had it done, I checked that I'd be ok to drive there and back again, and they said yes!

And I stopped at Asda on the way home, and wondered why people were giving me odd looks. It was only later in the evening that I realised I'd been wandering round the supermarket with marker pen scrawled on my face. 🙄