Question:
I am 4 weeks post op from open rny; I have an extremely red

and itchy area surrounding my incision, which started about 3-4 days ago. The nurse at the doctors office had me use cortisone cream on it, not directly on incision, but it seems to be worse, not better. Any suggestions?    — Julie G. (posted on May 20, 2003)

May 19, 2003
If it seems to be worsening, I'd call the surgeon back.
   — Patty_Butler

May 19, 2003
Buy some Vitamin E capsules and pop them open and put the Vitamin E liquid directly on the incision. It will draw the infection out. Cover with gauze. Please call your Dr. and let him/her know if this doesn't clear up in the next day or so.
   — Dana B.

May 20, 2003
Julie, I'd call your doctor back just to be on the safe side. I'm five weeks out. Last week the area around my bellybutton started getting sore and itchy. I blew it off thinking it was just healing and I had just gone back to work, so I blamed it on that, too. I went for my check-up Friday and found out it's infected. I had no fever, no chills, and the area had truly just started turning red the day before. So, give your doctor a call again. It's better to be safe than sorry. Good luck--Julie
   — Julia T.

May 20, 2003
I developed a severe rash about 5 days out all over (not specific to incision. It was miserable. Finally saw my PCP about 1 week later and he gave me Prednisone (a steroid) and it was gone within 2 days..... He thinks it was probably the anesthesia.
   — sara J.

May 20, 2003
I would discontinue the cream right away and call your doc. I had a ton of problems with my incision and my dermatologist gve me cortisone shots and well as some creams, and it made it redder and it burned and eventually reopened and became infected. So if it looks worse- it probably is. Don't take the chance. You're body or scar may have just not taken to it well, I'm sure there is something else that can help. And you may just have to leave it alone for a while, although it may burn or be uncomfortable, time will help. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.