Old Mastectomy Scar Itching

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peverson
peverson Member Posts: 55
edited March 2022 in Pain

I'm wondering if anyone else has had to deal with intense itching of an old mastectomy scar. I had my first mastectomy (right) in March 2010 (the prophylactic second one in December of the same year). The past couple of days, the end of the scar under my right armpit has really started itching like CRAZY. Can anyone recommend something that I can do to take the edge off of the itch?

Thanks,

Patsy

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  • CGLion
    CGLion Member Posts: 56
    edited October 2019

    I haven't had a mastectomy, but I did have part of two ribs removed due to nerve compression. At first the top quarter of my chest from just above my collarbone (where my incision was) to just above my right breast was completely numb. As my nerves began to grow back my incision began to hurt kind of how you are describing yours. It was super sensitive to my bra straps and any shirts, when it wasn't hurting it itched. When I went to PT the therapist encouraged me to firmly massage the scar area and also to use a soft nail brush to gently brush over the area that was itching and was extra sensitive. They told me this would help to desensitize the over active nerve as it regrew. It took a while but it really did help with the itching and hypersensitivity. With your surgery being so long ago I'm not sure if it will help you but just wanted to share something that helped me with incision pain/itching.

    Also have you had your DR look at it? It might not be a bad idea to have it checked out since this just started after so long with no issues.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2019

    My bmx was 7 years ago. No problem until this past January when the non cancer side began to itch, and hurt a little. It itched a LOT. Mentioned it to MO, he felt around, ordered PET/ct.

    It was back. 7 nodes of 11 were positive. Suggest you get into MO to see if anything is going on.

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  • peverson
    peverson Member Posts: 55
    edited October 2019

    I see a different doctor on Tuesday, and I'll talk to her about it. Thanks for the tip about the nail brush!


    P.

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  • peverson
    peverson Member Posts: 55
    edited October 2019

    I haven't had any pain, but I will talk to doc on Tuesday.I have no breasts, but I can still ask! Right now it's not itching, but it's worth checking into.

    Thanks,

    Patsy

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  • EllieMay77
    EllieMay77 Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2021

    Did you ever sort out this itching.  I've got exactly the same problem 9 years post mastectomy and it's keeping me awake.  I've been using antihistamines but it doesn't help.  I've not had itching like it before - it's painful.

    Gill

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  • lehrski
    lehrski Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2022

    I had a mastectomy, no reconstruction, about 10 years ago and the intense itching comes up from time to time. It seems like nerves are still growing back. I've noticed this happens just before I regain sensation in an area that was previously numb. I usually massage it hard and it seems to sort out the messages. When all else fails and the itching is driving me crazy, I pinch it hard or use my nails, although I know that's definitely not what's recommended.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited March 2022

    I'm not quite 2 years out BMX. I had more intense itching the first 6 months. I still get (mostly nightly) moderate itching at times. I've always found firmly pressing on the area or areas helps "reach" where the itch is and helps resolve it. Doesn't always take it away though helps quite a bit most of the time.

    I sitll have a lot of numbness, including on my one side into my upper back. I have some superficial feeling in my chest area though much numbness in other layers. Most of the time this is background noise thankfully. Most nerves regenerate (from damage) within a year if they're going to. there can still be some nice regeneration that occurs the second year. Generally after that regeneration is much less. I think I'm where I will be..... I see the itching as maybe some healing though also mainly as more the "damage" that will not improve much....

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