What to do if the cesarean section wound is itchy

Caesarean section usually leaves a wound. It is normal if the wound itches after a cesarean section. It means that the blood vessels and nerves at the incision are slowly recovering. However, be sure to avoid scratching with your hands, otherwise it will easily cause infection. You can usually relieve it with a hot towel, and do not do strenuous exercise. This itching can be tolerated in most cases, but do not increase the pressure on the abdomen, otherwise it will affect the recovery.

What causes caesarean section wound to itch?

1. Reason: Itching on the incision after cesarean section is a normal physiological phenomenon, as new blood vessels and nerves need to grow connective tissue. These new blood vessels and nerves are particularly dense and crowded together. The new nerves are easily stimulated, and because the nerves are very sensitive, they will produce an itchy feeling. Itching is an inevitable process of wound healing. It is normal to feel itchy because skin cells are repairing the wound, so mothers do not need to worry too much.

2. When does it start to itch: About two to three weeks after the cesarean section incision has formed, the scar begins to proliferate, the local area becomes red, purple, hardened, and protrudes from the skin surface. It lasts for about three months to half a year, during which the proliferation of fibrous tissue gradually stops, the scar gradually becomes flatter and softer, and the color turns dark brown. At this time, the cesarean section scar will become painful and itchy. Especially when sweating profusely or when the weather changes, the itching is often so severe that one has to scratch until bleeding. Therefore, it is said among scar patients that pain is easy to bear, but itching is unbearable.

What to do if the cesarean section wound is itchy

If the cesarean section incision is itchy, do not scratch it with your hands. If the incision is itchy and the new mother can bear it, generally no special treatment is needed. Of course, if you find it unbearable, you can take the following measures:

1. Medication to relieve itching

If the wound after cesarean section becomes severely itchy, you can apply some topical medication to help relieve the itching under the guidance of a doctor. Drugs such as Fuleqing, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, etc. can be used to relieve itching. You can also use iodine to clean the wound and then apply erythromycin ointment externally. Or you can apply some Wuji ointment and vitamin E appropriately.

2. Hot towel, rubbing alcohol, and aloe vera gel

When it is itchy, there may be a bacterial infection. You can apply a hot towel to the wound, or clean and disinfect the wound with alcohol to relieve the symptoms of itching. Or apply some aloe vera gel, the cool feeling can also relieve itching.

Then, wait until the itching stops and then rub the wound more, but don't be too hard. Go slowly and persist, and it should become softer. But if you want to lighten the color, it is best to apply some repair cream, concealer or the like after removing the lumps. In most cases, if you stick with it for a year or two, this problem will no longer occur.

3. Distract

When the cesarean section wound becomes itchy and unbearable, you can divert your attention. For example, you can read a book, listen to music, go outdoors to do some simple exercise, do other things, or gently massage, and try to divert your attention.

Tips for itchy cesarean section wound

1. Do not remove the scab from the incision too early. Removing the scab too early will take away the epidermal cells that are still in the repair stage, or even tear off the dermal tissue, and stimulate itching of the wound.

2. If the wound is itchy after a cesarean section, be careful not to scratch it or wash it with hot water, and do not rub the scar. This will only aggravate local irritation, cause inflammatory reaction in connective tissue, increase itching, and even cause infection.

3. It is not advisable to wear lace or chemical fiber clothes that have high friction.

4. Keep the scar clean and wipe off the sweat in time to reduce itching.

5. Be careful to avoid sunlight on cesarean section scars to prevent ultraviolet stimulation and pigmentation.

6. Pay attention to care and dietary taboos. For mothers who suffer from severe itching incision after cesarean section, try to keep their diet light. You should eat more fresh vegetables, fruits and mushrooms, avoid drinking alcohol, spicy food, seafood, fish, bamboo shoots and other irritating foods, so as not to stimulate scar tissue and cause hyperplasia. Of course, a regular life, early bedtime, good mood, and moderate exercise are also good for wound healing.