Scar questions
Posted , 13 users are following.
Morning fellow hippies!
Just had some questions re my scar. I am three weeks out from TLHR posterior. I have a 5" scar with internal dissolvable stitches. At my two week check up last week the OS said all looked good and said I don't need dressing on any more.
I am finding that it rubs my clothes and pulls. It seems to separate a tiny bit at the top but no leaking or bleeding. It is sore to touch but not hot and inflamed.
I have resorted to putting a lint and micropore dressing in in the day under clothes. Will this stop it healing?
The physio told me to rub it hard each day which I have been doing to desensitise the scar.
Is this all normal? How long does it usually take to stop hurting?! I am loathe to start rubbing any creams in it until it is completely sealed. Parts of it are but not all of it.
Otherwise all going well and walking well in house with no crutch and out and avout with one. Very stiff and a bit sore morning first thing and evening but no pain in the day (apart from scar rubbing!!)
Any info would be great.
Thank you!!
Sam
TLHR 20/2/17
3 likes, 23 replies
kaye74204 samantha_2158
Posted
madla39168 samantha_2158
Posted
Tide items it will rub and hurt your scar. The scar need more time than 2 weeks to heel.i wear loose items over 3 months I was told in hospital not to wear tide jeans or anything wharf will rub the scar.
Hug Madlla
john56733 samantha_2158
Posted
steve86482 samantha_2158
Posted
5" scar? You lucky person. Mine was around 10" with many staples that were not removed for 18 days. It will bother you for a few months. Been a year for me and you will soon forget about it. As look as it is not weeping or infected
beth2509 samantha_2158
Posted
When rubbing it, make sure that you rub across the scar rather than along it. This will break up the keloid and help the scar to heal flexibly, to give greater range and comfort of stretch in movement.
auntiebeanie samantha_2158
Posted
Once stiches are dissolved buy some calendula cream, otherwise know as marigold cream. it is a great healer on scars. Moisturing and massage it will get better x
kimberley38758 samantha_2158
Posted
Hi Sam,
I too have a 5" scar after my FRHR. I didn't have the issues that you seem to be having though. Have you tried wearing loser clothes? Putting a lint micropore dressing on it should not affect the healing process, so if it helps temporarily you should be fine.
I was advised to apply vitamin E oil and massage the area with a circular motion. This seemed to help with the healing, sensitivity and breaking up of the hard scar tissue.
You might want to give it a try.
Best of luck on a speedy recovery!
Rocketman_SG6UK samantha_2158
Posted
Sam,
Some are more sensitive than others, I think it all depends on the nerves that were cut.
A loos(ish) dressing should stop it rubbing and catching on fabrics, so should be fine. It needs air around it to heal properly, and it needs rubbing (accross the scar, not down the scar line I was told) to de-sensitise as you have said.
Normal - yes, whatever normal is, we all differ a bit.
It will stop hurting, and you won't notice for a while, then suddenly it dawns on you that the pain has subsided.
Sometimes the scar opens a bit when the skin doesn't quite line up, but there should be no leakage or bleeding at this stage. I think probably best not to use creams/oils until well healed, except for Bio Oil which I was told was the best thing for it.
Best wishes
Graham
beth2509 Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
Absolutely NOT bio oil. If you look up what is in it you don't want any of it around a wound that isn't totally healed. And possibly not ever!
Despite all the claims made, there isn't a shred of evidence that bio oil is any better than any oil - including the olive oil you have in the kitchen cupboard! There are real scientific studies done, and no evidence produced at all. It's expensive, but the only thing that had verifiable effects on scar tissue healing are the silicon plasters and gels.
The "report " that bio oil user to promote their product was a study of 36 people, and there was no verifiable or quantifiable improvement noted at all. The largest amount of substance in bio oil is listed as "mineral oil" - that is petroleum. Quite apart from wondering why anyone would want petroleum near a wound, if you did, there's cheaper forms of it. A lot cheaper. I could go on, but I won't. Any good quality cold pressed oil will be just as good, much cheaper, and if you want to add other inhabitants that promote healing and relaxation you can, at a fraction of the price.
But if the skin isn't healed, avoid any oil or ointment unless it is specially designed for the purpose. And preferably use none. The skin is a wonderful organ, and is designed to do everything we need to heal itself. Adding anything else to the mix just interferes with its natural process. Wait until it's healed, then use a nice oil to massage ( yes, across not along) the scar.
Rocketman_SG6UK beth2509
Posted
kimberley38758 Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
Rocketman_SG6UK kimberley38758
Posted
Exactly, it's not that long ago that we were told that cigarettes were good for us!
samantha_2158
Posted
Thank you all so much. Love this forum!
Will get back into the loose clothing and start rubbing it daily. Hopefully it will calm down soon as it's definitely more sore and sensitive since the dressing came off last week.
Sam
lisa31002 samantha_2158
Posted
I've been using pure jojoba oil since the scar healed over and it's helped a lot. 💆
nicola_75118 samantha_2158
Posted
Hi Samantha
Sounds like your recovering well.
I'm 5 weeks post op, had the same as you, I found for the first 3 weeks, it rubbed and pulled a bit,mainly due to the scabbed areas,which now don't really rub as much,loose trousers is the best thing to wear. As for pain,my scar pain seems to hurt more than anywhere else, it too is a little bit wider at the top, but not open or oozing,I have a really big lump at the top of the scar,which is hot to touch,no signs of infection though. I would as lots of people have suggested massage over the scar,once healed, although mixed views on what to use,iv heard vitamin E oil is good, once healing has taken place. I'm using Co Co nut oil, lightly,of which I researched but it's personal preference and anything that is safe to use. I think perhaps take the dressing off and let the air get to it as this aids healing. I hope it gets better soon and good luck with your recovery, sounds like you're doing really well.
Regards Nicky