Weird itchy-bump hives on surgical scars - anyone heard of this?

[ShihTzup]

I have a collection of surgical scars around my middle area (hips thighs tummy etc), some up to ten years old, some newer, that have a really weird thing going on.

Once or twice a week, one or other of the scars will come up with an itchy bump somewhere along the scar line, like an insect bite reaction.

Usually 10 to 15mm across, no central spot or mark. Itches like an absolute fucker, then goes away again within a few hours. Quite puffy and raised, slightly reddish but not angry looking.

It's always on or very near a scar - never more then a mm or two to one side.

Its definitely not insect related. Doesn't look or feel like infection related. Feels like an allergy type response, histamine reaction itch thing.

Been going on for six months or so since my most recent surgery, but affects all the scars, not just the newest one. Seems to be escalating in frequency.

I've googled, obviously, and can't find anything that looks or sounds like this.

Anyone seen this, heard of it, or slightest clue wtf is going on there?

It's not like it's super annoying, but it bothers me that it's getting more frequent.

Psoriasis often starts on scars, mine did. Probably worth getting your GP to have a look at it.

Good thought, but I don't think it's psoriasis.

All the descriptions include words like flaky, crusty, scaly and none of those apply at all.

Some of my psoriasis looks like scared burn tissue. Their are different types.

Found this for you
www.verywellhealth.com/koebners-phenomenon-1069346

Thanks Miss. it doesn't look like any of those either. It's hard to get a picture of it because there's not much colour change. Just like a gnat bite really, but a bigger and puffier, often ovalish in outline. No scales, flakes, crust, sores or whitish bits at all.

I get this on my breast reduction scars, I put it down to getting sweaty and irritated maybe some sort of yeast infection? Mine are definitely what you've described op, there's no crusty spots or dry skin etc, more of a sweaty heat spot.

Reassuring to hear it's not just me Munch.

Mine don't feel hot or sweaty or yeasty. Are yours close to the scars? And appear and disappear randomly?

Yes, usually right on the scar and extremely itchy, there doesn't seem to be a build up to the onset and it seems to go just as quickly (after being itchy and sore for a few hours)

I have an old scarred tattoo that does this occasionally, red, puffy, itchy - extends a few mm outside the edges of the tattoo. Just figured it was the scar tissue being irritated, sometimes if it's hot etc. Not as often as yours though

I get this too on my c section scars. It's usually when they get overheated as scar tissue can't sweat. Heated seats in the car are my worst enemy!

Might it be sutures working their way out? I had sutures emerge from my C-section scar some years later.

My scars get The Itch. It's fucking annoying!
I have to wear seamless vest tops quite often, as I have scars on my side, just where seams and labels would rub. Still get The Itch though, just a bit less often.

Sympathies.

I'm am very comforted to hear other people get this sort of thing.

It bothers me that it never happened before my most recent surgery, and now it happens on all the scars, even the really old ones.

I don't think it's stitches working their way out. I've had that before and this is different, and in different locations every time.

I didn't know scar tissue can't sweat, but that does make sense. It's possible it could be related to heat or rubbing on clothing, but I'm not totally convinced.

I worry, because I've had a lot of trouble with infection after surgery and after the last one there was some discussion of possibly an underlying allergic response that was trying to reject stitches and various implanted bits and bobs.

In my wilder speculations I imagine my body is starting to reject the whole lot of it and will try to expel all the fixings and scars and I'll be left with no middle. I realise this is not really likely!

I get this too! Did you end up finding out any more information? I'm the same as you - they just look like insect bites and go away themselves in a few hours, but a few tend to come at once.. and they are so itchy!

I get this too, particularly on the longest scar. I’ve not noticed a trigger but wonder if pp has it with heat/no sweating.

Did you ever get to the bottom of this and why it was happening?
I had surgery in December and over the last 4 weeks my scars have been doing this. Swelling up randomly with like a weird hives/bite looking rash. Mega itchy and sometimes hurts.
I also had an infection after surgery. Mine was a bladder infection from the catheter and I then took antibiotics. I’m starting to question whether the antibiotics have trigged this? Did anyone else have antibiotics and this started?
I’ve also been having allergy like symptoms that have started up too.
I have anxiety from this random swelling.

I had surgery on my hand 8 years ago and the scar itches and gets hives like bumps like you describe every couple of months. It’s so annoying!

oh god sorry to hear that it’s being happening for 8 years! Do you have allergies or is it stress related? I’m trying to understand why mine are doing it but I’m not sure I’ll ever know!

Same thing here!! I had ACL surgery about 6 years ago, and about every couple weeks I will have this itchy round bump appear. It’s so annoying and worries me until I read these posts :)

I feel mine are brought on when I get too hot.

I get this sometimes... My surgeon suggested vaseline

I got to the bottom of why my scars kept swelling up. Turns out I had a parasite in my gut which triggered an autoimmune like response. I did a lot of reading up shut gut health and rashes so I got a gut test done! Turns out I was right! Started treatment a week ago and they’ve stopped swelling up. I got a nasty stomach bug back in November so guess that’s when it started .

I’ve been getting this on my scars (from my breast implants and stretch marks on my legs) for about a month now about once every week!!!! Starting to worry what it is as I can’t find much on the internet at all!!!! Are people still getting these and did you find a problem!!

I've had the same red hive bumps on my scar from reversal surgery. Doesn't last long but annoying and would like to know what it is

I have EXACTLY the same thing happening. Small, smooth, itchy bug bite-looking bump appears and is typically gone in a few hours. No other sensation other than it itches like a hive and no other marks or rashes around it. Always right on the scar line. My scars are from breast reduction surgery 18 months ago, but the bumps didn’t start until probably a year or so after surgery. All the scars are susceptible. I typically just have one at any given time, but have had two or three. Super itchy, not painful and not red until I itch it. All scars from this surgery are susceptible. It’s very odd. It’s not psoriasis, although I do have psoriasis on my elbows and one knee. I have had that for over 28 years. This is new since the surgery.