Nothing is making the itching stop. The worst part is that the left side of my leg has nerve damage and is slightly numb from where a screw was put in, and the sensation extends to my knee. The feeling is very strange. Thankfully it’s only the left side of my leg. The right side, that had the more extensive hardware put in, (2 tightrope devices) is totally fine in regards to nerves.
I can’t wait until I’m fully recovered. This whole ordeal is the worst.
You could try a trick I use for mosquito bites and poison ivy.
Run some hot water. Just right on the edge of too hot to touch. Put the itchy part under that running water.
It will feel like the most intense itch, but also relief at the same time (assuming it works). It only takes maybe 5 seconds to work. Afterwards, the itch stops for a couple hours.
This works so well. I use it when I get neuroma twinges or insect bites.
Definitely saved my sleep/sanity a few times.
This works for mosquito bites because the heat denatures the proteins in the mosquito saliva in the bite that causes the itching. Not sure it will have the same long term effect on a healing wound.
I think this works for insect bites because it denatures the proteins that makes it itch.
Glad I’m not the only one who does this.
But this sounds like tattoo healing itch, which is the worst part but yeah not much to do but smack it.
Just think of it as full-sensory tinnitus :)
So… it never goes away?
That’s a cheerful thought
Slather it in vitamin E oil, or aloe vera gel a few times a day. Should help.
This is the only thing that stopped my scars itching after surgery. Cut open a vitamin e pill and rub it into the area. You can put something over it to keep it on there.
You can buy vitamin e oil in squirt bottle now.
I just had my upper and lower jaw cut all the way through and re-set with plates and screws. Some of the feelings under the skin are damn impossible to describe honestly.
But anyways, yeah. I’m at the itchy stage.
I had horrible skin problems after getting pneumonia.
Short term solution: Gold Bond makes a liquid with 2% lidocaine. It helped me get through some spikes in itchiness.
Good luck!
I’m very allergic to lidocaine
ahhh that was the worst part of my top surgery recovery. no pain but the itching was awful. it’s amazing when it stops though, kinda like when you can finally breathe through your nose after a cold
I’ve had absolutely terrible pain with this recovery, but that’s probably because I had holes drilled iny bones lol. The pain is easing up now, thankfully
One advice I give to my patients is to put warm coconut oil on it and rub it lightly.
Warmth sometimes helps. You can test that very quickly by holding a cup of tea or coffee you made anyway to the itchy places for a few seconds. You should feel the relief almost immediately if it works for you. If so, you can use warm, wet towels to keep the itching somewhat at bay
Idk why, but I totally thought heat would make itching worse. I’m gonna have to try that!
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Nothing is worse than an itch you can’t scratch
An ice pack helped me in this situation in the past. Numbs it right up and stops the itching.
The last time I used ice, it made my leg muscles tighten up and it hurt so fucking bad. I’m hesitant to use ice when my leg isn’t swollen because of the pain it caused last time.
Damn – sorry!.
I ended up with a dermatologist who prescribed a steroid cream called triamcinoclone. But that was for diagnosed ectopic dermatitis.
I must say though, that diagnosis kind of covers anything that itches.
What do the doctors say about that itching? Is it the normal amount, or is it the symptom of some problems on that part of the wounds?
Pee on it
Ya know, you right. Best solution lmao
I’m not sure if it’s feasible for you to get it but gabapentin might help. It’s usually prescribed for neuropathy type pain. I have an old surgery scar that sometimes itches from the inside (if that makes sense) and I’ll take a gabapentin to get it to stop.
Gabapentin is great for long term nerve pain, but I can’t imagine a doctor prescribing gabapentin for something as short term as wound healing - at least not in the UK. Heat, distraction, OTC antihistamines and maybe a prescription for something like zopiclone for short term relief if the itching is preventing sleep completely, should provide enough relief from the itchiness.
OP, I’m not sure if you can stand at the moment, but be extra careful when standing up if the loss of feeling extends to your foot. I have neuropathy and dislocated my ankle just getting up off the sofa before it was diagnosed. It definitely takes some getting used to and taking more care over how you step. Get well soon!
Gabapentin wouldn’t do anything for wound healing. I only mentioned it since OP said they had nerve damage in that area. The itching from the healing can exacerbated the nerve pain and the signals get crossed making everything feel worse. If it is an option it’s certainly worth a try even in the short term.
You didn’t say whether you were talking about the nerve pain or the itching mentioned in the title, so I was clarifying.
I’m already on baba for my headaches :(
I didn’t know they treated headaches with gabapentin! Is that prescribed off label? How’s it working for you?
I took a look at your post history to see if you mentioned an underlying diagnosis and saw you’ve taking antidepressants. There are a couple that help nerve pain, secondary to acting as an SSRI; duloxetine and venlafaxine. If you’re not already on one of those and the nerve damage becomes painful, it might be worth asking if you can try one of those.
The gabapentin works pretty well for my headaches. I take 400mg daily and it does well combined with the aimovig I take once a month. I only get about one migraine a month now.
I am currently on venlafaxine for my depression. My psychiatrist also put me on amitriptyline for the nerve pain and it’s taken the pain away for the most part. Now I’m just dealing with the weird numbness and annoying itchiness. I left a message for my surgeon to see if I should be worried about the numbness. It’s starting to spread and I just wanna make sure it’s nothing serious lol.
