Itchy swollen incisions

[Gnat 15]

So I had to call the doctor this morning because my incisions were itching like crazy. When I woke up this morning the area around each incision was hot swollen red and itching like crazy. With my luck it’s probably a reaction to the glue they used (I’m 1 week post-op). The nurse suggested Hydrocortisone crime around the incision so as not to loosen the glue.

That has done nothing. I’ve applied it 4 times today and still can’t stop itching and the swelling won’t go down. Of course tomorrow is Saturday so I plan on calling the “on-call” doctor.

However, just wondering if something similar had happened to anyone else? I honestly don’t think something is terribly wrong other my body reacting very poorly to the glue or something.

[Gnat 15]

Hahaha. Typo cream not crime. But you probably got that...

[SIPS in Seattle 345]

Yes mine were super itchy, but I have very sensitive skin. I also had problems with my incisions staying closed.

If they are hot then a call to the doc would probably be best. Is there any oozing?

[Creekimp13 5,840]

What you're describing is extremely common.

Healing itch started for me at about day 4 and got intense at a week out.

I got some edema tissue reaction to the sutures in my muscle and had funky lumps for a while under my skin at the incision sites. They've reduced now, no itching, and everything has healed up terrific:)

Same thing happened with my gallbladder surgery years ago. Lumps finally went away, and the itching does stop, I promise.

Edited December 30, 2017 by Creekimp13

[andelw 3]

Just be careful! If you feel like something is wrong let someone look at it! I ended up in the ER last night with a serious infection in my main surgical incision 10 days post op. I've been worried about it for several days and kept writing it off as "it's fine".

The good news is that after having the infection drained and getting on some antibiotics I'm finally feeling WAY better!

Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

[Angel46 2]

2 hours ago, Gnat said:

So I had to call the doctor this morning because my incisions were itching like crazy. When I woke up this morning the area around each incision was hot swollen red and itching like crazy. With my luck it’s probably a reaction to the glue they used (I’m 1 week post-op). The nurse suggested Hydrocortisone crime around the incision so as not to loosen the glue.

That has done nothing. I’ve applied it 4 times today and still can’t stop itching and the swelling won’t go down. Of course tomorrow is Saturday so I plan on calling the “on-call” doctor.

However, just wondering if something similar had happened to anyone else? I honestly don’t think something is terribly wrong other my body reacting very poorly to the glue or something.

Im a nurse, if its red and swollen go to dr.!!!! It is infected 🙁

[LaLaDee 519]

I've had itching too and was told that was just the sensation as it healed.

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

6 hours ago, Gnat said:

my incisions were itching like crazy

No suggestions from me as I had no issues with my incisions.

My doctor was old-school and sutured my six incisions ... stitching took 11-16 days to drop off.

My neighbour had an anaesthetic cream approved by his surgeon after his incisions were itchy/painful. Maybe that is what you need. (He's away until Tuesday so I can't get the name of the product for you.)

[Gnat 15]

Yes mine were super itchy, but I have very sensitive skin. I also had problems with my incisions staying closed.

If they are hot then a call to the doc would probably be best. Is there any oozing?

No oozing just worse than mosquito bite itching

[SIPS in Seattle 345]

No oozing just worse than mosquito bite itching

Maybe just check in with your doc just in case.

I’m sensitive to most things that were used on me and even my mosquito bites swell get red hot and itch like mad.

It’s always better to be safe, good luck I hope it’s nothing and just the standard itchy healing. 🤞🏼

[Gnat 15]

I did contact the doctor on call and they prescribed a stronger steroid cream and Benadryl. Thanks for all the help!

[Kim D. E. 5]

I didn't experience the sever itching but I was really swollen. I applied ice packs to my stomach 2x a day. That helped with the swellen tremendously. I started while I was in the hospital. No one recommended it, but Ice helps swelling so it was a no brainier for me.