back itching

[mattie]

My back itches all the time. It feels like it's inside. I asked the Dr. and he said it is healing and causing it to itch. Has anyone else had the back itch alot after surgery. It has been 3 months since surgery. Everything is looking good and going good according to the Dr. I am doing my PT now and it is going real good. Just the itching is awful. Day and night but mainly in the evening and night. Maybe because I am busy during the day and don't notice it as much. Just was wondering if maybe it is a allergic reaction to the hardware. When I asked the Dr. he said he didn't think so. Maybe it will soon go away or ease up.

[milwaukeeshake]

I remember mine itching too. I wouldn't worry about it much. I think wounds itch when they're healing and scarring anyways. I put a moisturizing lotion on my back after I shower and that helps me (I'm 9 years post-op and it still itches from time to time)

[LindaRacine]

Hi Mattie...

Is it the type of itch that scratching doesn't effect? I have that from time to time by my anterior scar.

--Linda

[Theresa]

Hi Mattie, My back has been very itchy. The last month hasn't been so bad. I think it is finally going away. I have also had the kind of itching that Linda is talking about. My husband would put shea butter and lotion with shea butter on my back every night at bedtime and every morning. It helped quite a bit.

[mattie]

I don't care how much I scratch it still itches. It itches along my incision mostly. But sometimes it feels like it itches all the way inside. It is awful. I put lotion on and after I do it helps but not for long then it starts again.
I guess it is just one of the things I have to live with. Thanks for the replies, at least I know now that I am not the only one that is bothered by this.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Mattie...

I think the itch on the surface is different than the other itch. It sounds like you have very sensitive skin. I do as well. I've found that I need to avoid scratching, because once I start, it just gets worse. Now, when I have an itch that won't go away by itself, I apply an icepack, which usually resolves the problem.

If these problems don't go away soon, be sure to mention them to your surgeon.

Regards,
Linda

[Abbyjo_21]

After my surgeries i had a lot of itching as well...to the point where it would wake me up in the middle of the night..i think its just the process of healing. My back also still itches occasionally and nothing helps

[mattie]

I feel like the itching is on the inside. I know it is probably from the healing.
But at first I thought maybe I was allergic to the hardware. My dr. says it is just healing. My scar itches also, but that can get relieved, but the inside is what is the worse. Well good luck to all of you and try to do what you can to relieve the itches. I will do the same. Thanks for the suggestions, I will try anything to see if it helps.
Mattie :rolleyes:

[Jen Q]

Hi Mattie

I had a Harrington Rod inserted some 21 yrs ago and remember the itching all to well it was like it was itching inside and no matter how I rubbed or scratched the skin it did not help. It continued for a couple of years after the surgery, I came to the conclusion it was a nerve sensation not an actual itch. not sure if I am correct but it is a thought, I could relieve it by flicking the skin, all the best.

Cheers Jen Q

[trulyaries]

Hi Mattie -
Just thought I would let you know that I had the same problem with my back itching after my surgery in 2000 - it was driving me CRAZY!! I had suffered with it for quite awhile until I mentioned it to my physical medicine doctor during one visit. He gave me a prescription for Nortriptyline caps 10 mg, a generic for Pamelor, an antidepressant. He explained that I didn't need it for depression; for some reason this medication reduces the itching - and he was right. I no longer have the back itch. I don't like taking yet another medication but this was worth it. I will be trying soon to wean off of it to see if the itching stays away. Just another option for you.
trulyaries

[mattie]

Hi all, my itching is getting less. I think maybe I am healing inside and that is helping. I am going through my PT now and I believe all this combined is helping. Good luck to all.
Mattie :o

[judyk]

This may be weird, but my back feels itchy sometimes, and when I go to scratch it it is in an area that still feels numb from my surgery! I guess it's like a lot of you said that it is the process of healing. But darn it is hard to get to those spots and scratch it or put lotion on it! Darn scoliosis!

[mattie]

judyk, I know mine feels the same way. I have areas that feel numb, and other areas that are tender. I guess it's just something we have to live with......................Mattie

[Jeremy1976]

Yes, I think this is normal. I am 2 months post op and have had quite a bit of itching. About 2 weeks after it was real bad. I think it may have been the sutures inside dissolving. It still itches time to time. My fiancee has some nice long nails and takes care of it for me. :)

[BackTalk]

Hi Mattie, My back has been very itchy. The last month hasn't been so bad. I think it is finally going away. I have also had the kind of itching that Linda is talking about. My husband would put shea butter and lotion with shea butter on my back every night at bedtime and every morning. It helped quite a bit.If you wouldn't mind would you tell me what this shea butter is? I know alot of my itching problem is from pain meds but will try anything.
Thanks, Jess

[summer]

My posterior surgery was closed by a plastic surgeon, and yes both scars itch and the skin around it does too. My plastic surgeon said to gently massage Aquaphor Original Ointment on after showering and it has helped significantly. My anterior scar was just stitched up and I only rub Benadryl Anti Itch Cream around it ..........not on it directly.

[robynm]

hi mattie.
i remember my back itching like crazy for what seemed like an eternity.
i used alpha keri lotion which helped the most. i also put vitaminn e oil on the scar.
sadly, it's going to itch for a while and scratching is not going to help that much. be sure to moisturize plenty around you scar and it won't be so bad.

take care
rem

[BackTalk]

Here is one my dad set me onto. It is called Bag Balm. It is in a green can which you can find a Walgreens. It was used back in the day to rub on cow's tits to keep them smooth. The farmers figured out it stopped itching and made their skin smooth. For real, look it up.

[mattie]

Some times my back itches real bad and sometimes I can go about a week without it itching. When I put lotion on my scar it helps, but it is hard to reach. I have my husband put lotion on my scar when he's around and I start itching. I think I am going to try to find a long handled sponge, that way I can put the lotion on myself.
My husband told me the best thing for scars to help them fade is Vitamin E.
We have lloquid Vitamin E and I have used it a few times but not consistently.
Thanks for the replies. Mattie

[HGD24]

Mattie,
I'm 16 months post op and still have itching fits from time to time...I think Jen Q might be onto something in regards to the nerves healing. At one point in time, my entire back and right hip were numb and all of it itched like crazy. As the sensation comes back (slowly), I've noticed that the areas that are no longer numb don't itch but the ones that are still numb do still have those itching fits!

[Jer]

As you can see from all the replies it is a normal process during the healing of your body from the surgery. Take good care not to scatch it too much. The intenal itching is definitely very aggravating, but I had the same problem after my small intestion surgery a few years back.Have someone give you a rub when it itches like that.
As for good creams to use on the scars I found udder butter to work well (sold at horse feed stores) or try the Hand Remedy protective conditioner by Earth Therapeutics (has shea butter and alpha-hydroxy in it) the latter one I used for a bad scar on my leg last year and now it has virtually disappeared.