Why old scars itch. Why do scars and scars itch. Physiotherapy for the prevention of itching

Those who have experienced operations that result in stitches know firsthand how badly the operated site itches. Everyone knows that if a scar or seam itches, it means that it is healing. But is this true in all cases? Before you self-medicate to alleviate discomfort, you need to find out if everything is in order. After all, the seam can itch for various reasons, and it does not always itch, because the wound heals.

Reasons why the seam may itch:

Tissue regeneration.
Suppuration or irritation.

In the first case, there is nothing to worry about. This is a normal process of recovery of the body after surgery. All forces are aimed at the fastest possible recovery, so the seams will itch. If this is the case, there are a few tricks you can use to help alleviate the discomfort.

If there is redness near the seam, severe swelling that does not go away, or suppuration of the wound, you should definitely consult a doctor, but until this time, itching can also be reduced.

Itchy stitches after childbirth

Modern medicine has advanced a lot. Now, it seems to us, ordinary operations are very common, from which a medieval person could die. For example, such as removal of the appendix or caesarean section. Caesarean section has been done since ancient times, only the main task of this operation was to pull the child out of the womb of a dead mother. Only then did they begin to practice caesarean sections on living people.

Seam on the abdomen after caesarean section

If the suture from the caesarean section itches, you should pay attention to the reasons described above for which it can itch. Pain and itching will appear in the first two weeks after surgery, and this is normal. If itching or pain continues to disturb further, contact the doctor who operated.

Itching after appendix removal

Stitches after appendicitis heal at a different rate for each person. If there are no inflammatory reactions, the seam can be treated with a decoction of medical chamomile and sage. You can also apply a cold compress to relieve itching.

Thanks to this method, the wound will be less sensitive, but you need to be careful not to harm. Not bad help in such situations, ointments that relieve inflammation. But the best way out is "bad advice." If it itches, then you can scratch it, only very gently with your fingertips.

General rules that will help get rid of itching stitches:

You need to process with light movements.
Since itching can be caused by microorganisms, the skin around it should be treated with antibacterial agents.
You can use products that dry the skin - they will speed up healing (be careful, consult a doctor, because, for example, treating a suture with alcohol is not suitable for everyone, it all depends on the place where the suture is applied).
The best folk remedies for itching are decoctions of herbs (chamomile, sage) or aloe juice.
It is better not to wear clothes that tickle or prick.

If you follow the rules of hygiene and follow the above points, you can reduce skin irritation, thereby getting rid of discomfort. But it is worth remembering that itching is a natural reaction of the body. The first days after the operation, the stitches can hurt and itch at the same time. In this case, the doctor will prescribe painkillers.

And now a few simple rules that will prevent suppuration:

The first week it is recommended not to wet the seam at all, so as not to infect, only after 7-10 it is allowed to gently wash the skin incision site without a washcloth with light movements.
From the first day after the operation, the suture should be treated with an antibacterial agent. Levomekol and ointments containing panthenol help to heal the skin and soothe it from irritation, thereby reducing itching.
Sutures after episiotomy should be properly processed. Follow the rules of hygiene so that microorganisms do not develop (after each trip to the toilet, you should wash yourself with warm water). Remember to properly process the seam (wipe the seam easily, without strong pressure and friction). Monitor the condition of the seams so that there is no inflammation. After the episiotomy, the sutures are treated with a brilliant green solution.

A scar is a natural reaction of the body to damage to the skin. Wound healing accompanies soreness, itching or burning. But what to do if the scar itches? Is this a normal phenomenon or a sign of a pathological process?

Regeneration of the skin is a long process, and the body does not always manage to completely restore problem areas. If the injuries have sufficiently damaged the dermal tissues, scars form. Skin lesions are different, as are the healing processes. There are 4 types of scars:

Normotrophic scars. Optimal body response. Heal quickly, forming a flat, flesh-colored band. Formed as a result of shallow cuts, 1st degree burns, abrasions and injuries from vaccinations.
atrophic scars. The formations are different from typical scars. Instead of a bulge, they form a dent. This happens due to a lack of collagen in damaged tissues. They occur after chickenpox, profuse acne on the head, after the removal of a mole. Sometimes a cavity is formed after excision of the wart. Especially if the operation is performed with liquid nitrogen.
hypertrophic scars. Formed when there is an excess of collagen cells. The connective tissue grows, taking the form of a tourniquet. They have a dense solid structure, rise above the skin. Education are lesions that cover a wide area of the skin. It occurs in the postoperative period, after burns of the 2nd and 3rd degrees, abundant mechanical damage.
Keloid scars are a specific reaction of local immunity to damage to the skin. In fact, keloid is the same hypertrophic scar, but with abnormal development. As a result of a failure in the wound healing process, scars begin to grow intensively. Often this phenomenon occurs after the elimination of benign formations (lipoma, cyst, atheroma), boils, carbuncles, or lacerations. A keloid scar is intense and itchy for a long time. It is not prone to resorption, and the only way to get rid of it is removal.

Regardless of the type of scars, their healing mechanism is not significantly different. Once a scar has formed, it should be seen by a doctor to ensure that the healing is correct.

Causes of itching after surgery

The mechanism of wound healing goes through several stages. All of them are accompanied by certain symptoms, one of which is itching. In some cases, itching is observed after complete healing (a year or more) of the damaged cover during the formation of a scar. Particularly disturbing are old scars after surgery, which suddenly begin to itch.

There are several reasons why old scars itch:

Threads for stitching. For surgical purposes, self-absorbable threads are used. Their microparticles remain in the tissues and cause an immune system response. The process of rejection begins, accompanied by itching, flaking, local hyperthermia or swelling. For this reason, the scar sometimes itches a long time after the operation.
Transformation of damaged skin. In cases of hypertrophic scars, the process of degeneration into a keloid is quite likely. This phenomenon is accompanied by itching or pain.
mechanical impact. If the scar constantly rubs against the clothing, there is irritation that produces the symptom. Most often, scars are subjected to friction after cesarean section and other abdominal operations.
Dryness of the skin. For this reason, the scar on the skin is flaky and itchy. The phenomenon indicates a lack of vitamins. May flake due to skin disease.
Chicken pox, streptoderma, herpes - cause a similar symptom.
Severe itching and burning are a characteristic sign of melanoma. This is a malignant formation of the skin, which in most cases arises from nevi, moles and birthmarks (even if they are removed). The areas of regeneration begin to bleed and crack. You need to consult an oncologist if the scar itches after removing a mole.
A side effect of many treatments is itching. This symptom is experienced by people using Contractubex. The phenomenon indicates that the tissues are healing.
Sometimes the skin begins to itch as a result of stress or nervous shock. In addition to this symptom, redness appears, the scar begins to peel off, increase in size or hurt. The phenomenon disappears as suddenly as it appeared.

You can find out the exact reason why the scar hurts or itches after consulting a doctor.

How to relieve itching

It is necessary to identify the cause of the itching. Without defining a factor, all actions will produce a short-term effect. If you just scratch the scar, nothing will change.

If the scar itches after the surgical suture, they purchase a special drug or undergo procedures.

Ointments and solutions

The pharmacy sells special ointments that help relieve itching and irritation:

Radevit.
Akriderm.
Triderm.
Sinaflan.
Bepanten.
Desitin.
Skin-cap.

Peppermint solution has a calming effect on old scars. A few fresh mint leaves are steamed with boiling water. When the liquid cools down, I treat the problem area with it.

Physiotherapy and electrophoresis

The use of modern hardware equipment allows you to quickly and painlessly get rid of the itching of scars. To eliminate itching apply:

laser excision, which cuts off the blood supply to the scar;
laser grinding helps to remove residual fluid, preventing the inflammatory process;
phonophoresis using ultrasound equipment and drugs;
microcurrent affects the problem area with electrical impulses;
magnetic - current procedure works on a similar principle, forming an electromagnetic field.

Procedural treatment is limited by contraindications, and is used only as prescribed by the doctor.

Prevention of itching

To prevent itching at the location of the scar, all provoking factors are eliminated.

The scars do not touch the seams of the clothing. This prevents irritation and prevents the formation of such symptoms.

Hygiene is an important component of scar care.

Use only proven cosmetics that do not cause allergies and irritation.

If you suspect skin diseases, consult a doctor.

An itchy scar is a natural phenomenon, but sometimes it indicates the beginning of a pathological process, which is why you need to show the scar to the doctor.

Injuries often leave scars. They may not bother a person at all for years. But it happens that the scar itches, which is very annoying. Why is this happening, and are there any explainable reasons for this? In fact, they are, although there are not many of them at all. It is worth analyzing the main options in order to understand why this can happen, and what needs to be done in such cases.

In most cases, this phenomenon does not pose any danger. However, the reasons for which it is observed, it is still worth studying.

How is a scar formed?

At the time of injury, the tissues at the site of injury are displaced, they break, which rarely has perfect evenness. Even if the edges of the wound close, and the site of damage looks quite neat, the vessels in this place cannot be aligned with complete accuracy, which leads to impaired blood flow and innervation problems. In the process of healing, at the place where the damage was received, a collagen scar is formed - a scar that rises above the surface of the skin, albeit slightly.

Causes of itching at first

If the injury was recent, the reasons why itching occurs are quite simple. If the wound was sewn up, it may be in the threads. In this case, the discomfort will disappear after they are removed. Also in the wound there may be a foreign body that causes these sensations. In this case, they are accompanied by pain. If the skin around the wound turns red, signs of inflammation are visible, then it may itch due to bacteria, dirt, sweat.

Interesting fact: in order not to encounter inflammatory processes that are painful and pose a health hazard, it is worth smearing each wound with hydrogen peroxide or other disinfectants, bandaging and treating it.

Itching during healing

When healing, the wound can also itch, even if there are no signs of inflammation. Such sensations arise when innervation and the blood supply network are restored. The body restores these "communications" in order to ensure the normal functioning of the regenerating tissues, the process is accompanied by a slight itch. In this case, this sign can be considered good, it indicates that healing is going the right way.

But also a sensation can occur due to dry skin, its tightness. In this situation, it makes sense to use moisturizers to get rid of the discomfort.

Is it possible to get rid of itching in the scar area?

First of all, doctors note that it is impossible to comb a place that was injured in the past. In the most extreme case, you can gently, stroking movements, scratch the scar through the fabric. If it is fresh, you can not comb it at all, in no way. To relieve severe itching after a recent injury, you can apply something cold to the place. This is especially true for tissues damaged by burns. Severe itching after surgery or after a recent injury, over recently damaged tissues, is a reason to see a doctor, it can be an allergy to threads or an inflammatory process.

Old scars that have begun to itch can be soothed with a mint tincture or a rich cream - both products are sold in pharmacies. There you can also buy special creams that soothe itchy skin - almost all of them are based on mint or menthol.

Cardinal remedies for getting rid of itching and scars

If the old scar constantly worries its owner, it makes sense to consider cardinal techniques and get rid of it. By getting rid of the scar, you will no longer experience itching. To do this, you need to contact a cosmetology clinic. Today, there are many ways to remove scars, which are used mainly for cosmetic reasons. But they are also great for itching.

There are surgical methods for removing scars, including laser ones. They are less traumatic, giving a 100% result. In addition, there are hormonal injections that lead to the resorption of scars, they are also practiced by modern cosmetologists. Ultrasound techniques, microcurrent therapy are also used. Before choosing a specific approach to scar removal, you should consult with specialists, they will suggest the best solution for your case on an individual basis.

Thus, a scar can itch for several reasons. At the first stages of healing, we can talk about threads that cause discomfort, about the ingress of microbes. In the later stages, the sensation arises due to the process of tissue repair and innervation. There are many methods to get rid of an unpleasant sensation if it bothers you a lot.

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Almost every patient has an itchy suture after surgery. This can happen immediately after the intervention (at the end of the anesthesia), or after a few weeks, when the scar begins to form. This is normal, but here's the catch: you can't comb the seam, especially in the early days. And sometimes ordinary discomfort turns into real torment. How and what to do in this case?

Why does a scar, seam, scar itch after surgery?

Human skin has the ability to regenerate. This happens through the formation of scar tissue, which causes itching. When a person is simply scratched, the scar that forms over time is microscopic, but still wants to scratch or touch the wound. With significant violations of the integrity of the skin, in particular, after surgery, the scar is larger and more noticeable, and therefore the itching is stronger and more noticeable. The process of regeneration of the skin and nerve endings is one of the reasons why the wound itches when it heals.

If the stitches have already been removed, but the wound continues to itch, the reason may lie in an accidentally left thread. Fragments of suture materials begin to rot and decompose over time, causing itching. This can be determined by a strong reddening of the skin around the scar or by developing inflammation in the form of a newly formed wound.

By the way! Itching and inflammation are provoked not only by the suture material, but also by particles of dirt and sweat. Therefore, it is necessary to observe hygiene, carefully care for the sutures after the operation, adhering to the doctor's recommendations regarding the external preparations used.

If the operation was more than 6 months ago, and the dense “old” scar formed at the site of the seam itches, then the reason may be its dryness. The skin of chronic scars is quite thin and easily tightened, so it itches. This is especially evident in the cold season.

How to relieve and eliminate itching

It is possible, but it is important to do everything right so as not to introduce an infection into the wound, cause bleeding and provoke inflammation. Due to the peculiarities of postoperative sutures, it is recommended to discuss each possible way to eliminate itching with a doctor.

Recently applied sutures, through which blood and ichor can still ooze, require especially careful treatment. While the patient is in the hospital, it is best to contact the medical staff who will tell you what to do or suggest options for eliminating itching. If there is nowhere to wait for help (the person has been discharged home), you can try to apply a cold compress.

Important! The compress is applied not to the wound itself, but to the adjacent skin. Otherwise, the integrity of the seams can be violated.

A sterile bandage must be placed between the compress and the skin. And if it is ice, which tends to melt, then also a plastic bag so that water does not seep into the wound. Approximately on the fifth day after the operation, you can try to soothe the itching with a cold decoction of mint, also wiping only the skin adjacent to the suture with a piece of sterile bandage. In the same way, you can soothe itching in the area of \u200b\u200balready formed scars.

Another way to eliminate itching is to stroke the adjacent skin. With fresh seams, this is done with clean hands (fingers), and the scars can be stroked, for example, with a cotton pad or a piece of bandage.

Types of drugs to eliminate itching from the seam

If the scar has been formed for a long time, but it itches constantly and strongly, depriving you of rest and sleep, you need to resort to more serious methods, including both the use of medical products and the advice of traditional medicine.

If none of the above is on hand, you can try any moisturizer. Because, perhaps, the scar itches due to dryness. The cream will help nourish the skin around the scar and eliminate the feeling of tightness and itching. Of course, fresh stitches (open wounds) cannot be smeared with creams without a doctor's prescription.

Physiotherapy for the prevention of itching

Patients who have itchy stitches after surgery are sometimes prescribed physiotherapy. But the goal of physiotherapy is not only to eliminate itching. It also contributes to the speedy recovery of the body as a whole and the improvement of the condition of local areas of the body. In particular, sessions favorably affect the healing of an itchy suture, disinfecting it and accelerating tissue regeneration.

Of the specific types of physiotherapy, phonophoresis (ultrasound plus drug therapy), microcurrents, and magnetic currents are used to eliminate itching in the seams after operations. If the scar not only itches, but also spoils life with its ugly appearance (contrasting red, embossed, large), you can resort to laser surgery methods, namely, skin resurfacing. This will evaporate the fluid from the scar along with dead cells, which also provoke itching, and will even out the surface of the scar, making it less noticeable.

Doctors say that if the seam itches, then it heals, so there is definitely nothing to worry about. Itching can be endured, and in extreme cases, use the simplest methods such as cold compresses and stroking the skin around the seam or scar. The main thing is not to comb the wound itself in order to avoid inflammation.

There can be many reasons why a scar itches, some of them can be easily eliminated. And there are those who will require special treatment, mostly conservative.

Sometimes the scars that remain even after the removal of a small mole can remind of themselves with constant itching. Perhaps everyone will agree that the feeling is not the most pleasant, and brings a lot of inconvenience. What can we say about if an old postoperative scar or a trace is itching for a long time at the site of BCG once done. Discomfort deprives a person of a normal life, and the scar can become inflamed, constantly getting wet.

Is there nothing that can be done in such a situation? Of course, there is a way out, and finding it is very simple, just consult a doctor and carefully understand the current situation. And it doesn’t matter what kind of scar and its origin, whether colloidal, after an operation, including a caesarean section, a burn, or a BCG done in childhood. But before you understand the reasons why itching occurs, you need to understand how scars form.

Skin regeneration

This is how the human body works, which is capable of self-healing, this process occurs through the formation of scar tissue, which over time can cause itching.

After an injury or operation, blood always comes out at the site of injury, everyone knows this. This is what starts the process of tissue repair, and any in the human body. Further, complex biochemical processes take place, and fibroblast cells appear at the site of damage, which begin to do their job. That is why a dense scar is formed, which can rise above the surface of the skin.

If large areas were damaged, then the scars are rough, they not only itch, but also bring a lot of inconvenience, primarily restriction of movement. This often happens after an extensive and deep burn. With an excessive tendency to regenerate, the scars become rough and ugly, this is a colloidal variant.

Causes

The very first thing you can think of is the thread left after the operation. Often, postoperative scars give such symptoms, and in the projection of the wound or near it is that unfortunate source of trouble.

The reason may be constant irritation with fabric or clothing, especially if the scar is old, constantly exposed to friction. The colloidal version is no exception in this.

Often the situation is with dry skin, which, due to lack of moisture, tightens and constantly itches. Fresh lesions at the healing stage itch due to new nerve fibers making their way. These are mostly postoperative, scars after a burn or caesarean section.

What to do

Just scratching the place where it itches is not worth it, it brings only short-term relief, you need to solve the problem radically. This can be done not with a scalpel, but with special preparations and methods.

You can start by applying a cold compress, but not to the very site of the operation or a recent burn, but near it. You can do this several times, the cold will dull the sensitivity of the nerve endings. A colloid or scar after surgery or a burn, if it itches, can be rubbed with mint tincture for the same purpose, especially after a burn.

If the effect is not observed, it is recommended to try modern conservative therapy. In the place of itching, the doctor can inject drugs based on hormones, they allow you to eliminate old scars and, in some cases, a colloidal scar. The treatment regimen is selected strictly individually and in strictness with indications. It is strictly forbidden to do such injections on your own.

On scars left after surgery or caesarean section, Contractubex is recommended, especially immediately after the wound has completely healed. The use of Contractubex in the early postoperative period minimizes the risk of visible scars and colloidal scars. It is also recommended to use Contractubex to eliminate post-burn scars.

It will be especially useful to use Contractubex for women after a cesarean section, in order to eliminate a visible scar. But you need to apply it as early as possible, while the scar is soft and elastic, and the fibers in it are able to stretch. Additionally, ointments based on corticosteroid hormones can also be used to eliminate itching.

Physiotherapy can also help to eliminate discomfort. Laser, radio wave grinding is used, which allows not only to eliminate the unpleasant feeling, but also to remove the scar, which is important after cesarean.

Electrophoresis with the addition of lidase or collagenase has proven itself on the positive side. Mesotherapy and phonophoresis, microcurrent, as well as magneto-thermal procedures have a positive effect. All these methods allow not only to dissolve the scar, making it less noticeable, but also to save a person from constant itching, calming the sensitive nerve endings.

radical action

You can get rid of a boring scar in the same way, thanks to which it appeared on the body. Especially this technique is applied to colloids. However, it is impossible to give a reliable guarantee, since the nerve endings are again traumatized, and the cause itself can arise again, only on a larger scale.

This is especially contraindicated in those patients who have a tendency to form colloids. If they arose after previous injuries, then in order not to aggravate the situation, it is worth refraining from surgical treatment and using all conservative methods as much as possible. Otherwise, everything will be much uglier, especially in open areas of the body.

If the scar begins to itch, then you should not bring it to the point that a wound appears. You just need to see a doctor who will give recommendations on how to overcome this problem. Competently and adequately carried out treatment is the key to a successful recovery. Otherwise, normally healed skin can fester and bring not only a lot of problems, but also a scar, which will be even larger than the previous one.