Attention all nurses and/or medical personell!

I have a delicate question for you........my belly button incision is VERY itchy now.......do incisions itch a week after you have them? Is this the norm?

They itch when they are healing- it does drive you nuts. My doctor told me to put nail polish clear over my incision when it was itching so bad it was driving me nuts! I never did, I thought the suggestion was bizarre, but he said the exposure to the air causes them to itch-

I itched too when I had my gallbladder out last August

LOL, clear nail polish?? Well, like you, I think I will skip that, but thanks for letting me know this is normal. I"m sitting here at my desk with my sweat pants on trying to look inconspicuous while I lightly scratch my belly button. Of coure I'm not really scratching it. Just lightly running the back of my finger nails over it.........LOL

It definately will be itchy for a while. I would suggest some Polysporin and to avoid rubbing it - that could cause infection!

Yes, itching is very common, my guess it's the skin cells regenerating. Do not put anything on it. I would only be concerned if you start to experience drainage from the site, and/or the area is red, or feels hot to touch. Some clear drainage (a very small amount) might be expected, but get yourself to the doc if it's green in color, yellowish, or has an odor. I would check your temp over the next few days as well. Please try not to strian your abdominal muscles (I'm sure you were told that) no heavy lifting, or any wild dancing for awhile...lol! Doing the twist now would be a killer!
Keep us informed...no charge of course, you have an TCS HMO!

Thanks everyone....no, the incision itself I feel is fine. No drainage, not hot to the touch. The only thing that might look dirty is where the tape fell off today and I have that sticky residue on me. There's a scab formed over the incision, and in my opinion it looks good. I have to laugh about MOF saying not to strain your abdomen. I"ve been trying like heck all week to do just that, and it's hard. You don't realize how much we use our middle torso muscles in everday things, but the hardest was just getting out of bed! LOL I see my doctor tomorrow for my week checkup, so he'll be able to give me more info on everything.

My appendix incision itched as well. My mum would say "It's itching because it's knitting together!"

Another thing she'd say was "DON'T TOUCH IT!!"

And like Barbara said "No dancing!" so you can't go shaking your frame just yet!

Originally Posted by rosiemac

And like Barbara said "No dancing!" so you can't go shaking your frame just yet!

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LOL, even in the best of times, shaking my frame is not a pretty sight!
Half of it goes one way, the other half goes the other!

My mom always told me when a wound itches, that means it's healing! That's why I always accidentally scratched my scabs off and bled all over the place all the time!

Aloe Vera Gell will help the itching and minimize scarring.

Thanks again everybody!!

My Doctors had me use Liquid Vitamin E on a new incision for itching and that "Bee Sting" feeling it would get.... (UGH!!!!!!!) You can poke a pin-hole in a Vitamin E capsule or buy a small bottle of the Vit E liquid--either/or. BUT, I am here to tell you, IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not only that, it seems to help it heal more quickly too (on the outside)
Just remember, that ANY incision takes a full year, to heal ALL the way up inside, although the outside will appear healed. So, be careful so you don't get a hernia or any other problems from "overdoing" it!!
GET WELL SOON!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

LOL, clear nail polish?? Well, like you, I think I will skip that, but thanks for letting me know this is normal. I"m sitting here at my desk with my sweat pants on trying to look inconspicuous while I lightly scratch my belly button. Of coure I'm not really scratching it. Just lightly running the back of my finger nails over it.........LOL

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Hope they don't have security cameras where you work!

Mine itched for a bit, then went away, I tried not having my pants too close to my belly button, I also used a little benedryl around it but not near the incision. It usuallys goes away quickly once the bandage is off and it is in the open air. Hope this helps.

My c-section itched like crazy and it's still numb. Itching is a good sign because it means it's healing.

Originally Posted by ccoccocats

Hope they don't have security cameras where you work!

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No Cheryl......they don't have any security cameras............at least I don't think they do!