Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

anyone know if pubic hair is a problem in and around a surgical incision?

16 replies

scardypants · 14/01/2009 21:45

hi,

I feel a bit neurotic as this is the third thread I've started in relation to surgery I had on Friday.

Today's problem is the pubic hair growing from and around one of the incisions. I have three small stitched areas but only one on the pubic hair line. They never told me to shave and didn't do it in theatre and now the wound has lots of hair growing out of it and I'm worried it could cause infection or ingrown hairs. Is it not normal practice to shave the area around a surgical incision?

I realise I may be totally over-reacting but if so please forgive me I'm not quite myself these last few days.

thanks in advance for any opinions/help.

OP posts:
Original poster
scardypants · 14/01/2009 22:07

embarrassing(sp?) bump

OP posts:
BibiThree · 14/01/2009 22:10

Emergency c-sections are done without shaving, mine was and it was fine afterwards

TattyCatty · 14/01/2009 22:14

I had 2 laparoscopies which involve small incisions around the bikini line and definitely no shaving involved. I'm sure that you'll be fine.

Poledra · 14/01/2009 22:15

They did shave my pubic line for my em c-s, and sweet jesus but it was a nightmare when it grew back in. You cannot scratch a recent incision, you know.....

Original poster
scardypants · 14/01/2009 22:19

Thanks bibi

The whole ordeal has me all out of sorts and panicky and neurotic. I'm so scared of maybe needing another anaesthetic so I'm trying my best to make sure I don't get any infections.

I'll be grand now.

OP posts:
Original poster
scardypants · 14/01/2009 22:25

Oh hi tatty and Poledra, posted before I saw your posts.

Thinking about it if I had been shaven maybe that would be worse for ingrown hairs.

I feel a bit silly with all the worries I've come up with but I feel better having posted and seen your replies so thanks a million ladies.

OP posts:
Poledra · 14/01/2009 22:37

Ach, scardypants, this is what MN is for - sorting out those little worries that you do not know who else to ask about . Go have a lovely bath with lavendar oil in it - it will relax you and lavendar oil is a natural antiseptic, so two birds, one stone.

whomovedmychocolate · 14/01/2009 22:40

scardypants, I did have a problem with ingrowing pubic hairs in and around my caesarian scar - during the next pregnancy. There was a lot of excess pressure on the scar and so a few of the hairs got stuck in the scar and I had to pick them out with tweezers and put antibiotic ointment on for a week. But it's v unusual.

In terms of infection, my doc said 'just because it's hairy doesn't mean it's dirty'.

I think he meant, just keep the general area clean and don't mess with it!

amazonianwoman · 14/01/2009 22:55

I understand your worries, but I've had 2 c-sections and am prone to quite bad ingrown hairs, but I had no problems at all either time. I don't think they shaved the 1st time.

Original poster
scardypants · 15/01/2009 14:28

Hi WMMC and AWoman

Thanks for posting. My scar is only tiny compared to a cs, I feel

I wasn't going to have a bath because I was afraid of soaking too long I'm going to shut up now

dp is going to get me lavender oil today. Won't be surprised if he arrives back with a crate of it, he thinks I'm loosing my mind

Thanks again for all your help

OP posts:
MrsHappy · 15/01/2009 14:32

Scardy - I have a friend who is a surgeon and I asked about this following my emcs. While I can't remember what she said it was something reassuring about the way they sew up the wound.
Don't panic, and if you want a bath, have one! I'm sure I was in the bath under a week after emcs and it was fine.

Original poster
scardypants · 15/01/2009 16:53

Hi MrsHappy, thanks.

I have the cosy pj's and the fluffy slippers at the ready...having a bath shortly

OP posts:
MrsHappy · 15/01/2009 18:12

Good. Are you starting to feel better?

Original poster
scardypants · 15/01/2009 22:42

Hi Mrshappy

Yes thanks, I do feel a lot better. Obviously not something I'm going to forget any time soon but I've had time alone and time just with dp to talk about it and find solice in our faith which has helped.

Thanks for your help on this thread and the others

OP posts:
womblingfree · 15/01/2009 23:41

Just to second the lavender oil thing.

I had a few probs after my CS (not infection but the inside of the wound healing up quicker than the outside - called grnaulation apparently and a bit grotty but nothing major).

The nurse recomended sea salt and lavender oil baths, and afterwards I used to lie on the bed and make sure wound was dry with hairdryer on low setting, which worked wonders.

All the best - hope you're on the mend soon.

skramble · 15/01/2009 23:54

I had ingrowing hairs in my section scar, H took great pleasure in picking them out.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread