Itching has started

[Nancy Rivers 24]

All of a sudden about an hour ago, 3 of my 5 incisions started itching like crazy. I realize it's part of the healing process, and I should not scratch them, but dang it's hard not to. My incisions just had some "glue" put over top of them to seal them - so there were no bandages/tape. One does leak a little - but it's not bad like a drop here or there of blood, but it happened in the hospital and I was told that I shouldn't worry about it unless it turned like pus or yellow.

How did everyone deal with the itching? It is so tough not to scratch, but I don't want to because it could open them up more.

[Jinjin 21]

I know how you feel! Im almost 3weeks post op and last night it started itching like crazy, but I didnt itch. In the middle of the night I found myself itching in my sleep : /

Im wondering if we can put some kind of topical stuff on the scars? For itching and to minimize scaring? Anyone with suggestion on what they did?

P.S DONT ITCH IT! : )

[Texasmom65 23]

Ouch. I just have steri-strips over mine. Or at least I think that is it. Maybe its the glue? Call your doc tormorrow and check with them, if you can do anything.

[lovemyboys 3]

I was always told when I had a bad cut or burn that itched, that meant it was healing. I do plan to put Vitamin E oil on my incisions when I'm sleeved. That probably will help with scars and maybe itching too.

[Jinjin 21]

Yeah I had the sterstrips on but at my 2 weeks post op my surgeon( ripped) took them off : ) now they itch. I think vit E will help. Good call

[Nancy Rivers 24]

Well, I lightly washed them and then let them air dry - that has seemed to stop the itching for the moment. When I left the hospital, I was given a pack of 8 throw-away pre-moistened towels that could be used for "bathing" - so I used one of those.

I don't know if that will work in the future or not, but it seemed to help tonight.

When I was in the hospital, I had asked the surgeon about using something on the incisions and he told me not to.

[MystryRed 0]

I rememeber this itching.. Man was that awful. My surgeon told me that I could either take Benadril or use Gold Bond medicated powder. You might ask or try this. I would take the benadril at night since it made me sleepy and use the gold bond during the day and evening. Hope this helps.

[kellyw74 258]

Mine had steri-strips over them and came off about 2-3 weeks out. My incisions NEVER itched. I am glad.

I have been putting Vitamin E oil on them twice a day since the strips came off and my scars are barely noticable.

Kelly

[Jinjin 21]

Good to know kelly THANKS

[wendy1974 3]

Wow, I was sleeved on the 5th, so that's ALmost two weeks out, the glue has come off of all my incisions except for the big one on the left side & the scab is still on the wound from the drain... otherwise the rest are healed up completely... they itched like a son of a gun for a while, about a week out and since then they've been okay...I was also told not to put anything on the sites until they are 100% healed... good luck!

[YellowRose 21]

One week out and I started itching. Everywhere I had any surgical tape itched and had raised whelps. It was HORRIBLE. I took benadryl every 5-6 hours & slathered benadryl cream around my incisions for almost 3 days. (NOT on the incisions, but AROUND them). I walked around kind of dopey, but it was the ONLY thing that stopped the itching. it went away in approx 4 days. I had to just lay around on that weekend with my belly exposed (no bandages) to try and let it all dry out.

I am now at week 3 and NO residual affects of the hives. I was very worried about taking the benadryl so soon after being sleeved, but there was NO problems.

[Wheetsin 714]

Benadryl cream helps me. If you can keep the incisions moist, try a smear of antibiotic cream. Just keeping them from drying out usually helps quite a bit.

Hint: do not use the logic that "solarcaine is topical lidocaine, lidocaine makes you numb, so spraying solarcaine on these incisions should dull things..."

If you have to itch, don't scratch. I "tap" with my fingertips. It's enough to relieve the incessant itch, but doesn't risk scratches or tears.I've also placed a piece of thick fabric, and itched through that. Again - enough to relieve the urge, but hopefully minimizing potential damage from nails and fingertips.