“Irritating scar tissue, what can I do?”
I had an operation done on my pointer finger and there is scar tissue running from my middle knuckle down to my palm. It gets itchy and extremely sensitive. Is there anything I can do to help this or make it go away?
10 Answers
Vitamin E oil works very well for scars. Using the oil for deep tissue massage can be very helpful. If this fails scars can be revised with surgery.
You may benefit from doing scar massage exercises under the supervision of a hand therapist. You may also benefit from using vitamin E cream to massage into the scar daily. Many of the cutaneous nerves to the skin we are likely cut through. These will be temporarily irritated. It should calm down over time but may take several months.
It is important to always seek a medical evaluation by a licensed professional to ensure it is not the manifestation of something more serious. You also want to seek help sooner rather than later to prevent any further damage to the area.
Rubbing on the scar with regular hand lotion should improve this symptom. Rub lotion on the area as much as possible and give the scar a couple of months to get less tender.
Yes - oftentimes deep tissue massage with a cream, such as aloe, vaseline or vitamin E oil can be effective. You may also consider seeing a hand therapist. In cases that do not improve, you can ask your surgeon if you would benefit from a cortisone injection in the region of the scar tissue.
Scar tissue is normal...and yes it is annoying. However it goes away on its own. It peaks at approximately 6 weeks after surgery. It should be mostly gone at 6 months after surgery.
Massage and moisture helps. Use hand lotion and massage the scar with your other hand. I also like Aquaphor or other petroleum based moisturizers.
I hope that helps!
Harrison Solomon, M.D.
Massage and moisture helps. Use hand lotion and massage the scar with your other hand. I also like Aquaphor or other petroleum based moisturizers.
I hope that helps!
Harrison Solomon, M.D.
You can try massage and Silicone to the affected area. Silicone patches can be purchased in any drug store. Keep it on the area for 8-12 hrs before replacing it.
That should help reduce the scars in time.
That should help reduce the scars in time.
Ask your surgeon or therapist if you can use silicon. Also ask about scar massage techniques to flatten and desensitize.
It really depends on how far out from your procedure you are. Itching is actually a good prognostic sign that healing is occurring. Sensitivity can be managed with scar massage and time. If sensitivity is severe, neuritization of the scar (nerves inner aging the form scar tissue) may have occurred and may need to be excised and revised.
Massage, tape and scar ointments help loosen skin, often it is not just the type of intent or tape but the mechanical act of rubbing and softening that is more important. Regular plain paper tape ( like a small version of the Kinesiotape we see athletes wear) can give compression to a scar if worn at night or when not moving, do not make tape tight or restricting of circulation or motion. finally ask your surgeon to recommend a hand therapist who can also help with these things. many scars change over time and the way it looks at a few months post op is not the way it will look or feel 6-12 months later!
