Is it normal to be getting sensitivity and a little soreness into my scalp beyond the scarring? How long will it last? (Photo)

Question

February 2018 I had a basal cell carcinoma removed at the Manchester mohs centre. Recently I have started feeling quite a bit of sensitivity on top of my head beyond the scarline

Sean McGuire, MD · Answer

Hello and that is an excellent question!
Short answer - yes, it is rather common to have some sort of change in sensation above a forehead scar.

Long answer - The reason for this is because the nerves that give sensation to your scalp actually exit the skull under your eyebrow and then head north to your hairline and beyond (see the attached link for a map of sensory nerves in this area).  
These nerves run in the skin and can be interrupted during Mohs surgery.  Once a nerve is injured, it attempts to regenerate and repair the damage. During this time they are quite 'twitchy', meaning that they may be more sensitive, itchy, or tender.  As the healing process continues, this will likely resolve but it can take several months or even up to a year.      
Your surgeon repaired the wound parallel to these nerves by going up-and-down rather than across the forehead, thus minimizing nerve damage and the extent of this side effect as much as possible.

If the symptoms continue, worsen, or any other concerns arise, I always recommend discussing with your surgeon to evaluate your particular case.

I hope this is helpful!
Sean McGuire, MD

Is it normal to be getting sensitivity and a little soreness into my scalp beyond the scarring? How long will it last? (Photo)

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Is it normal to be getting sensitivity and a little soreness into my scalp beyond the scarring? How long will it last? (Photo)

Answers (1)

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Everything you need to know about Mohs Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.