I Am 12 Days Post-op. My Incision Has Begun to Itch Like Crazy. Is It Safe to Apply Anything?

Hi Waitedenough, Thank for your question regarding post-operative itching after an abdominoplasty. This is not uncommon. Your itching may be due to several things. Before you read my suggestions, you should contact your plastic surgery to notify them of your itching.  Your plastic surgeon may want to examine you before changing anything.  Usually, there are four things which cause itching after a tummy tuck.  #1) Your itching may be a sign of an allergy to one of your medications. You may be itching from the antibiotics or the painkiller.  Please contact your plastic surgery before discontinuing ANY medication. If you were my patient, I would probably change your antibiotics and change your pain medications.  #2) You may be allergic to the skin prep used to sterilize your abdomen during the tummy tuck procedure. If this is the case, I would suggest you remove your dressings and use a wash cloth with soap and water. However, first check with your plastic surgeon that water can go over your incision.  #3) You may be itchy due to an allergy to something inside the abdominal binder or on your dressings.  If this is the case, I would suggest you change the dressings and possibly even your abdominal binder.  #4) You may be itchy due to sweat accumulating underneath your abdominal binder and garments. If this is the case, I would suggest you remove your binder and dressings and let your skin breathe for several hours before reapplying your abdominal dressings and garments. However, before you do any of these maneuvers, please check with your plastic surgeon. Each plastic surgeon has their own way of handling itching after a tummy tuck. I hope I have answered your questions regarding itching after a tummy tuck.  If you have any more questions regarding the tummy tuck, abdominoplasty, or any post-op care questions, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Hello and thank you for your question. Some itching is actually very common at this stage post-op. It could be as simple as normal itching from the healing process. It is best to make sure it is not due to an allergic reaction either from the binder or your dressings. Sometimes antibiotic or pain medication can produce itching, but I assume this is not your case because most patients are off antibiotics at 12 days and pain medication is not taken as regularly.I would suggest to check the dressings, but most importantly have your plastic surgeon evaluate your scar and see if everything is ok. Best of luck with your recovery,Dr. Miguel Mota

Thank you for your question. Post-operative itching along the incision is very common during the early healing phase. As far as when to apply something topically to provide some relief, it depends how your incision was closed. If your incision was closed with internal sutures and glue on the outside, you will want to wait until the glue has come off before applying anything. Anything you apply is unable to penetrate the glue. Basic rule of thumb is that you want to make sure that all of your incision is entirely closed, and there aren't any open or irritated areas. At that point it is normally safe to apply a topical treatment. I recommend Biocorneum, which contains medical grade silicone to help the incision flatten, soften, and become less red. They also make a product called Biocorneum HC which contains Hydrocortisone. That will help provide you with some relief from itching. I would recommend following up with your surgeon. Best of luck on your journey!

Although itchiness is common as the incision starts to heal, I would recommend you see your surgeon so that they can make sure that it’s not an infection. They can also recommend something that would help ease the itchiness. Even though it may be tempting, please avoid scratching it. 

Itching at the scar is a process of healing, and creams such as benadryl or hydrocortisone will help decrease the itching.Scar treatment for cosmesis can begin with Biocorneum which is a silicone product which is a proven substance to help scars heal their best.  Silicone tape is also a good product, but it started early can at times cause local irritation to the skin.  Embrace is also a good product, although very expensive, it can help prevent the widening of the scars.  There is also sun protection, which goes hand in hand with any type of scar treatment.  Sun protection can help prevent darkening of the scars.If any scar treatment system is used, it needs to be used for a period of 1 year as the scar is constantly remodeling during this time.Hope that helps.

Thank you for your questions. Itching is a normal part of the healing process but can also drive patients crazy. I find that silicone scar gels such as BioCorneum often help with itching. If that does not work, then a topical OTC Benadryl cream often does the trick.Hope this helps!