The infernal itch

[Smanky 747]

I should have been expecting it, but I was way more focused on the post-surgery pain, but my wounds are now in full healing-itch phase and it's ... special. Given that I can't scratch OR gently slap the sites, I've taken an antihistamine and am trying to grin and bear it. And distract myself.

Any tips? Or is this what I suspect it is - a "ride it out" part of the process. It'll be gone in a few days, I know, but if there's a trick to curbing it a little, I'm all ears!

[vikingbeast 987]

It's maddening isn't it??? I just had to force myself to ignore it. Of course now I appear to be having a histamine reaction on my legs which is driving me kookoo bananas.

[Smanky 747]

Oh no! Extra bonus annoyance! At least you can pop some lotion on your legs? But yeah, I honestly prefer the pain to the itch. If this was a tattoo I'd be slapping the crap out of it, but not an option for a poor in-the-wars abdomen!

[FutureSylph 377]

Have you tried ice packs? A bag of frozen peas is malleable and cheap; just remember to mark it as inedible before refreezing it.

[Smanky 747]

8 minutes ago, FutureSylph said:

Have you tried ice packs? A bag of frozen peas is malleable and cheap; just remember to mark it as inedible before refreezing it.

Excellent call. Thanks!

[lizonaplane 1,612]

Hrm... I haven't had any itching on my incision sites. I'm two weeks out. I'm generally an itchy person, so I'm not sure why. I had a tooth removed a week later (unrelated) and the stitches there itch sometimes. Hope you feel relief soon!

[Smanky 747]

9 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

Hrm... I haven't had any itching on my incision sites. I'm two weeks out. I'm generally an itchy person, so I'm not sure why. I had a tooth removed a week later (unrelated) and the stitches there itch sometimes. Hope you feel relief soon!

One week out and I'm still not past it - this is the itchiest post-anything I've ever felt. I'm glad you've escaped it!

[Soon2bFit21 109]

I had a fairly bad allergic reaction to the surgical adhesive and developed a rash with lots of itching. Topical Benadryl helped, so did an extra strength cortisone cream. It still took a good 3 weeks before the rash went away unfortunately.

[Smanky 747]

10 minutes ago, Soon2bFit21 said:

I had a fairly bad allergic reaction to the surgical adhesive and developed a rash with lots of itching. Topical Benadryl helped, so did an extra strength cortisone cream. It still took a good 3 weeks before the rash went away unfortunately.

Ugh. Your poor thing, that sucks. I have reactive skin and will welt up with some adhesives, so I know how that feels.

[lizonaplane 1,612]

9 hours ago, Smanky said:

One week out and I'm still not past it - this is the itchiest post-anything I've ever felt. I'm glad you've escaped it!

Hope it gets better soon!

[FutureSylph 377]

Adding my best wishes for your prompt recovery. Itching is the pits.

[BoyMom86 28]

I too had an allergic reaction post surgery. My regimen (after a couple steroid shots) was Zyrtec during the day, Benadryl at night (dr changed to hydroxyzine), topical cortisone mixed with gold bond itch cream, and lotttttts of ice packs! I feel for you- itching is the worst.

[vikingbeast 987]

Well, my leg itch turned out to be sodding cellulitis... so now I'm swallowing giant horse pill antibiotics.

[Smanky 747]

1 hour ago, vikingbeast said:

Well, my leg itch turned out to be sodding cellulitis... so now I'm swallowing giant horse pill antibiotics.

Oh god, that sucks. Hope it clears up quick!

[learn2cook 576]

On 09/29/2021 at 17:06, BoyMom86 said:

I too had an allergic reaction post surgery. My regimen (after a couple steroid shots) was Zyrtec during the day, Benadryl at night (dr changed to hydroxyzine), topical cortisone mixed with gold bond itch cream, and lotttttts of ice packs! I feel for you- itching is the worst.

Me too! Clear it with your bariatric staff first, or an allergy doc. I use the meltable kids Zyrtec tabs under my tongue, and the kids liquid Benadryl.