[Micodiscectomy, Laminectomy & Laser Decompression] Is Post-Op. Itchiness normal?

[Susan.303]

Hello experienced ones,
I had al laminotomy/discectomy L5-S1 left 3 days ago. I seem to be recovering well...No sharp pain anywhere. But in general I'm itchy. I could gently scratch my skin anywhere and it feels unusually good. If I scratch my hips or lower back I break out in hives. These swollen lumps kinda meld together. When my husband changes my dressing the pull of the adhesive feels like a bug bite getting scratched, not painful. I'm wondering if I'm having an allergic reaction to the glue on these big Band-Aids, or is it a reaction to my pain med. Hydrocodone Acetaminophn? Or just the fact that I haven't been able to shower since Tuesday? It's not affecting my breathing so maybe I could just try taking a Benadryl. If they get worse I'll call my Dr. tomorrow but since you are here...I thought I check in and see if this is a common post surgical reaction.
Thanks,
Susan

[laid up doc]

you can have itching from either of those things... i had terrible trouble w/ adhesive bandages, had to start using a special skin prep stuff.

do you have it anywhere that isn't involving your bandage?

[Susan.303]

do you have it anywhere that isn't involving your bandage?

No. The welts are just on my bottom and hips around the current bandage area which my husband says is where the original, larger, post-op bandage was. It could also be a reaction to all the pre-op scrubbing making the skin in that area extra sensative. I took a Clariton last night and will continue to take one a day until I can stop wearing these bandages or the welts go away. I'm also looking forward to being able to shower on Sunday! What was the skin prep stuff you used for? Did you use it to scrub prior to surgery or did you use it before putting on a new bandaid?

[laid up doc]

Benadryl will work a LOT better.... and i mean the pills, not the topical stuff. it's useless. you could put 1% hydrocortisone on the areas that are red too.

could be either/or as far as the reason.

the stuff i used was before i put on a new bandage. i had a larger, abdominal incision that then also had an issue so i had a lot of adhesive for some weeks. haven't had an issue w/ betadine thank goodness! or latex, for that matter... again, thank goodness!

[Susan.303]

Benadryl will work a LOT better.... and i mean the pills, not the topical stuff. it's useless. you could put 1% hydrocortisone on the areas that are red too.

Thanks. I have hydrocortisone cream and am trying it on the 4 inch welt I have on my right hip and the entire area around my surgery bandaid cause it kinda all looks swollen and itches with red blothches....guess I should have taken a closer look at my butt Before surgery. lol At least I'm sure that none of the area Under the bandage is red, swollen or itchy.

We just got 6 inches of snow so I'll take clariton again today until my husband can pick up Benadryl pills for me tomorrow. Thanks for your help L.U. Doc!

[KanRunMo]

I've certainly had the itching from band-aids and bandages. It seems to be mainly the length of time they are on the skin. It does help some to use non-latex bandages though you may or may not be allergic to latex. Keep lots of moisterizers on your skin but away from the incision. The winter is especially hard on skin and makes it dry and itchy. I'm sure you'll feel better after you get to shower but put on lots of moistrizer. I think clothes get filled with skin cells so be sure and change clothing often.

[laid up doc]

oooh sorry ya'll got so much snow.... we just got days of rain farther south.

i'd say benadryl should be part of anyone's medicine cabinet. claritin is ok at best for seasonal allergies, and pretty much useless for anything approaching an allergic reaction. much weaker histamine blocker... most people find that allegra and zyrtec work better for seasonal allergies. for allergic reactions, benadryl is KING! but, like i said... only the pills. the cream is a gimmick, waste of $$.

I find that hydrocortisone OINTMENT is the best as far as staying on - less water content. i definitely had to use it on my itchy patches from the dressings.

and I agree w/ KanRun - duration seems to be an issue, but you don't want to change things so frequently that you irritate the skin further.

[Susan.303]

...for allergic reactions, benadryl is KING! but, like i said... only the pills. the cream is a gimmick, waste of $$.

I find that hydrocortisone OINTMENT is the best as far as staying on - less water content. i definitely had to use it on my itchy patches from the dressings.

and I agree w/ KanRun - duration seems to be an issue, but you don't want to change things so frequently that you irritate the skin further.

OK. It's official. I'm 0 for 2. I was out of benadryl but my husband is going to pick it up now, so of course this is when I read your message and see that the hydrocortisone I have is the cream instead of the ointment. lol But all is well. I took my first shower and am now giving the incision some air time and I only have a few more days of bandages, so I believe the worste of the skin issues are over. I've also lowered my pain meds to half doses in case that's also a contributor. I can't sit comfortably without some pain med. and I can't walk for long without muscle relaxant. But all this is much better than I was pre-surgery. Thank you and KanRunMo for your input.

[Kimberly]

Hi Susan,

I am glad to hear that your surgery went well. I'm sorry to hear about the itching though. I swear, if it's not one thing it's another, huh? :-)

I sent you a PM.

Take care, rest well and keep us posted on how you're doing.

Kimberly

[Pbchoclovr]

Hi Susan,

Welcome to the other side. All in all, it sounds like your surgery went well.... well, other than the itchiness. Like everyone else has said... Benadryl...I'm not sure if you have stitches or not..(I didn't have external ones... just super glue), for myself, I noticed a general itchiness as the wound opening healed and the scab began pealing off. Nothing worked on that. I just tried to gently scratch around the area to help with that itchiness. I didn't have to keep my surgical site covered. They left it open pretty much from the time I woke up. I do have a reaction (rash and itchiness) to any type of adhesive if it's left on my skin too long, though. I let the hospital staff know this up front, so I had no real issues there.

Glad to hear you're doing well. Just remember to take things slow and easy.


Linda