Question:
I have an itchy back. :(

Since the day after surgery, my back has itched, and it's driving me crazy! It's right in the middle of my spine, about halfway down my back, and I can't reach it too well. I asked my sister (a nursing student) about it, and she said it looks dry and flaky...basically like a little contact dermatitis, and it's nothing to worry about. She put some Benadryl cream on it, and that made it feel awesome, but I live alone and can't reach it every day to put this cream on it. Did anyone else have any problems like this? I thought at first it was because I wasn't drinking enough and so my skin was drying out, but I'm getting in more than enough water now and it's still here. HELP!!    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 28, 2001)

November 28, 2001
My backside felt kinda like this, I was told its minor nerve damage from the way I was strapped down on the operating table. It eventually went away a month or so after surgery. You could put some ointment on a cloth wrapped around a spoon to get the stuff where you want it. Congrats on being a post op, it sure is less stressful than pre op.
   — bob-haller

November 29, 2001
I have this problem too... it's just dry skin. It can drive you crazy though! I do like a bear (how embarrassing) and scratch my back in the doorway against the doorframe. Or I beg someone to scratch it. Now that I'm down 64 lbs, I can actually reach around to scratch myself! AAAAAHHHH that feels good! Really some moisturizer is the best thing though. Use something really thick and long lasting; I like Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme.
   — Julia M.