Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be SO FUCKING ITCHY

17 replies

itchyitchyitchyy · 02/12/2023 00:55

sorry for swearing but honestly im being driven nuts here and im just utterly miserable with this and wonderered if anyone had experienced similar

I had surgery 2 months ago. The area I had operated has been left completely numb - I was told this would happen so not a surprise. It can last up to 1 year and gradually feeling should return. Its the strangest feeling because its totally numb and I can't feel it at all- I accidentally cut the area because i was putting a hair clip in and didnt realise how much pressure I was putting- I was scratching my skin completely open accidentally but I couldn't feel it at all! I can punch, pinch, press etc and cannot feel any sensation whatsoever. Im not even aware the skin is being touched so its all sensation not just pain.

but im really struggling with itching! I know that's part of the healing process and its weird because I have no sensation yet I can feel itching?! it feels like the itching is really deep. But no matter what I do, I can't relieve the itching at all. Because if I scratch the area I can't feel anything at all. I accidentally scratched the area raw and open when I was sleeping because of the itching and I couldn't even feel myself scratching it open. obviously im wearing gloves now to sleep in case that happens again, but during the day this itching is driving me mental because there's literally no way for me to relieve it and its the most intense, annoying itch ever.

has anyone else experienced this? Its driving me insane!

OP posts:
Fusterclucked · 02/12/2023 00:57

Sounds infected maybe

Original poster
itchyitchyitchyy · 02/12/2023 00:59

I was concerned it was but its definitely not- its healed up nicely and I've had my post op review. its apparently from the healing and something to do with the nerves causing the itch. its just so annoying especially as I can't actually relieve it because the area is numb!

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 02/12/2023 01:35

I had this when my shoulder was reconstructed. I have a long scar down my front where your bra strap is, and I would get intense, unrelenting itchiness. Like you, the scar area was numb but was still itchy. There were many times I scratched it so hard in my sleep that I made it bleed.

FinanceLPlates · 02/12/2023 01:58

Sorry no help but I experience similar after surgery. Pmk in case anyone has found any solution for this.

mjf981 · 02/12/2023 02:04

Would putting local anaesthetic cream on the scar help? Or even just hydrocortisone cream?

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 02/12/2023 02:30

The nerves are growing and trying to teach each other. Hopefully the wound is neat enough that they will reach each other and it stops itching.

If it continues they can operate to join the nerves together, not to get feeling back earlier, but to stop this itching.

Fraaahnces · 02/12/2023 02:49

This could be the nerves trying to make connections to work around the scar. It happens much faster with kids than adults.

LittleMissSunshiner · 02/12/2023 02:52

As long as you have no infection, this is your nerves knitting themselves back together after being severed - it takes time.

I had a lymph node removed from my neck and the surgery cut nerves running up and down my cheek, chin, and neck. Nothing serious, it was numb. But after a while the itchy feeling and sensations came back. Surgeon said it can take up to a year. I never got full sensation back but that's OK, nothing much missing.

Margaritanosalt · 02/12/2023 02:52

I had this after surgery and it was soul destroying. What helped was Eurax anti itching cream and pregabalin from the GP. The tablets were the only thing that stopped the itching completely.

iamtheiliad · 02/12/2023 03:03

I had this with a surgery scar. The itching drove me up the wall! It’s more than 10 years on now and there’s thankfully no itching but there is still a little numbness. I found antihistamines seemed to help a little. I took them for allergies but they seemed to have an effect on the scar tissue too. Maybe psychological? But worth a try at least.

Fraaahnces · 02/12/2023 09:40

Actually the pregabalin is a good idea! Another thing I would request a vitamin B12 blood test. Being low in iron and B12 can make you itchy af too.

Sauvblanctime · 02/12/2023 09:41

Itching is the nerves making new connections deep down, I had it after my c section. Nerve damage but when it started healing it’s the never ending itch! It’s still numb in places now 14 months on

Nitw1t · 02/12/2023 09:45

I had this after mastectomy reconstruction many years ago.

I remember how awful it was, numb on the surface and deep deep itching in one of the scars. I actually broke down at work once because it was so itchy.

Paracetamol used to work to take the edge off (especially when falling asleep). And after a few months (sorry) it pretty much went away. Although it does resurface every now and then when I've been exhausted/ PMT/pregnant.

I spoke to the surgical team, and they did suggest a course of anti depressants (to do with the action of SSRI medications on the offending nerves I think, rather than thinking it was a symptom of depression) - but that if painkillers were working, then to stick with them as it does stop in the end.

Nitw1t · 02/12/2023 09:46

NB - I didn't find topical painkilling creams did much at all, the itch was too deep.

LittleMissSunshiner · 02/12/2023 11:50

I seem to recall I was offered amitryptiline (sp?) for nerve pain of this sort. Personally I didn't take it as it made me groggy and sleepy.

I think the main thing to know is that it will pass, in time. It's not permanent and it's perfectly normal - your body healing and mending

Sauvblanctime · 02/12/2023 13:19

LittleMissSunshiner · 02/12/2023 11:50

I seem to recall I was offered amitryptiline (sp?) for nerve pain of this sort. Personally I didn't take it as it made me groggy and sleepy.

I think the main thing to know is that it will pass, in time. It's not permanent and it's perfectly normal - your body healing and mending

I take duloxetine for this reason 🤜🏻

New posts on this thread. Refresh page