Help! Extreme itching/redness on right arm. Is there anything else I can put on to ease itchiness? (Photo)

Congratulations on your surgery, from the photos it looks like you will get a very nice result. The reaction you describe sounds as if you may be sensitive to something topical on the incision. Perhaps the rose hip oil, try stopping this to see if the rash and itching subside. As long as there is no fever, chills, drainage or pain associated with the rash and redness then infection is probably not present. If stopping the topical oil doesn't help, then have your surgeon examine you to make sure everything is healing well. Best wishes.

It appears that you are experiencing contact dermatitis or an allergic reaction to the sutures on your right arm after undergoing a brachioplasty. To combat these uncomfortable symptoms, oral Benadryl or Atarax may be taken as well as a local application of Benadryl ointment onto the affected area. Additionally, it is wise to avoid contact with the area and use a thin cotton sleeve with your garment on top for protection. Skin allergies to medical tape are very common, so using tape in the affected areas should be avoided. All things considered, your scars look to be healing properly and will create excellent results in time. Thank you for sharing this question – I wish you all the best!

I specialize in arm lift surgeries, including arm reduction, brachioplasty, and arm fat grafting. Should you have any additional inquiries or concerns regarding arm lift procedures, do not hesitate to contact my office. However, please be advised that arm lift surgery is intricate, and as such, I recommend that you seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in performing such surgeries. It would be best if you conducted research and ensure that your chosen plastic surgeon has conducted at least a hundred successful arm lifts and possesses before-and-after photographs to validate their proficiency. It would also be prudent to scrutinize their before-and-after gallery and verify their reviews on RealSelf.

I would certainly be in touch with your doctor's office to ensure that this is not an infection. That said, if it does not,Hydrocortisone cream can help. You can also try taking a certain antihistamine medications. I would absolutely discuss the matter with your doctor. It is imperative
that you seek the advice of a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American
Board of Plastic Surgery and has extensive experience in brachioplasty / arm
lift.

I wish you the best.

Dr. Gabbay.

Thank you for your question.If the incision does not have any open areas, I would recommend using Cortisone cream on the area of irritation. Also you may want to stop wearing your garment, because that may be adding to the skin reaction at this point. Also, adding some Benadryl into the mix may help instead of taking the Claritin. Good luck with healing.

Hello,You should see your doctor and surgeon right away although itching is normal in some patients. What you are describing could be a sign of infection and you may need antibiotics . Please call your surgeon's practice and follow up as soon as possible. Itching is no laughing matter.Itching sensation is carried by the same nerve fibers (so called c-fibers) that cause pain. I personally, on any given day, rather hurt than itch.Post-operative itching of incisions is absolutely normal. It is cause by the chemical histamine, which is present in healing wounds. It is also present in nettles. Some patients find a lot of relief in just knowing it is a sign of healing and will diminish. Others find even more relief in an over the counter antihistamine such as Zyrtec, Afrin or Allegra which are good for daytime use or Benedryl which is great at bed time because it also has some sedation qualities. There are also prescription medications for recalcitrant itching.Post-operative all over itching is usually a reaction to a post operative medication. Narcotics such as Percocet and Vicodin also cause histamine release and often an antihistamine helps or changing medication can help. Also, some antibiotics cause itching if a patient is sensitive. In these cases, changing antibiotics usually takes care of the problem.Another thing that I have found helpful is a topical cream called Caladryl which is a combination or Camomile and Benadryl Cream. Caladryl kept me from going crazy during a hive outbreak about 20 years ago. Don’t put it on your incisions unless you get the okay from the doctor but you can slather it on itchy areas away from the incisions.. 

You skin may be tight and itchy due to tension on the scar line and this is a normal part of the recovery process and should resolve soon.  If you surgeon has ruled out any other causes for concern such as infection then you may like to discuss changing the type of topical cream you are using.  Based on your photographs you should achieve a good result from your procedure.

You may want to use some Benadryl and hydrocortisone ointment to help relieve the itchiness, but regardless I would recommend a visit to your plastic surgeon to evaluate for infection.  It may also be that you are having a reaction to the oil or even the material of the compression sleeves.  

It may be a sign of infection, call your doctor´s office ASAPIt is usually treated with oral antibiotics with no problem

Thank you for your question and photos! Have you followed up with your surgeon? You should do so to make sure nothing else is going on. Otherwise, this could be just part of the healing process. Depending on how much tissue was removed, the skin could just be very tight and the itching could be from the scar healing and drying out. Hopefully your surgeon can see you soon and you will get some relief.Good luck to you for good continued healing!