Question:
Help, my incisions are itching badly!

I am 5 weeks out of what was supposed to be and was started lapro RNY and during surgery the surgeon ended up going open after starting the lapro. Anyways, my incisions still are not completely healed, but they are healing very well, with the exception that they are really starting to itch and bother me. In some places I cannot scratch them because I still have a few stitches that are like sticking out, etc. and I do not want to pull or rip anything that does not need to be. Anyone have any ideas on what I can put on my incisions to stop the itching? Thanks in advance for any ideas or help on this topic. :)    — bicngillette (posted on October 22, 2008)


October 22, 2008
I've always been told when they're itching it means they're healing. You really shouldn't scratch them. Maybe you can rub them a bit or use some coritzone cream.
   — ap2008324

October 22, 2008
Just give them alittle rub with clean hands. Cortisone cream is a great anti-itch medicine but would not use at this time. It does not promote wound healing dure to the anit-imflamatory properties. Congrats on your surgery
   — urbrat2

October 22, 2008
Do you still have bandages covering the incision? If so rub the bandages lightly. If not be very careful touching your incision. The last thing you want is an infection. Pay special attention to handwashing. Wash you hands before and after touching your incision every time with out fail!!! This is an important factor to infection control. Healing means itching. Good Luck!
   — mary_rn

October 22, 2008
If nothing else works you can try over the counter Benedryl. Two tabs are 50 mg and will take care of the itch although they may put you to sleep.
   — jeffkopp

October 22, 2008
Unfortuately the best answer here is DON'T SCRATCh. Sorry. Rub them and if you absolutly must scratch use a sterile gauze pad and wet it in saline. It helps. I am several weeks out and have had two areas of infection that require packing to heal and it is a very slow process but scratching is one of the worse things you can do. Good luck.
   — ceecee127

October 23, 2008
There are some "anti-itch" creams in the pharmacy isle. Also, itching means healing - that's great! If there is a benadryl cream, that is a good one too. You can also ask the pharmacist to make a recomendation -dd
   — dadebrito

October 23, 2008
Oh...I had open RNY too...and the tape and glue they used had latex (which i am HIGHLY allergic to) I had staples too...but I used Neosporin with pain control and it really helped...My surgeon said that was the best thing I could have done...I had blisters from the tape and the itch was horrendous! Most of the staple holes were infected too so the neosporin healed that area as well! But call your surgeons office and just confirm that it's okay to use it...I had my surgery near 5 years ago...Your surgeon might have a different opinion than mine...
   — .Anita R.

October 23, 2008
I was told to expect itching and that it was due to the internal sutures dissolving. They told me there was nothing that could be done to relieve it. I was lucky and did not experience any itching (because I am an uncontrollable scratcher). Good Luck
   — txsewrn

October 24, 2008
Try some cortizone cream or vitamin E oil or a lotion for sensitive skin. It's the healing process and dryness.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 25, 2008
First, make sure your hands are clean..and keep your incision clean..have you been allowed to shower yet? If you can..just let soapy water run over the incision area...and pat with a clean washcloth. When air dried- apply a tiny amount of emolient like Vit. E, Benedry cream, Anti-bioric cream, or whatever your doctor says you may do..the itching does go away. Try rubbing the area AROUND the incision, but do not directly touch the incision.. You can also try a tiny spritz of Spray Benedryl after cleaning. I had latex tape over my incisions also and the blistering was 100 times worse than the staples themselves, (5 days ago!). My tummy looks like a battle field because of the allergic reaction but is healing nicely now. Good luck and speedy recovery Kim in Fontana, Ca
   — *KiminFontana* *.




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