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Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:53 am |
it's been a little over three weeks since my elbow surgery. after eight days, they took out the 30 staples and put on butterfly sutures. my doc pulled those off right before i traveled to france, this past tuesday. since then, i've been using one or the other 'torture devices' (dynasplints, to straighten and bend)about twelve hours a day and the incision site is really bothering me as it's rubbed and pulled there.
it's red and still a little raw (but not infected) so i know it's too early to put on anything for the scarring (which is the least of my worries right now) -- it needs to heal. can anybody recommend what to put on it? am i better off putting on butterfly sutures and covering it again or should i let it 'air.' i'm at a loss as i've never had anything quite like this before.
thank you in advance! |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:16 am |
I would just keep it clean and use an antibacterial ointment like bacitracin or polysporin. I think you can also get the bacitracin + zinc, which would help with healing too. If the would is still open, try to see if you can find a home medical supply store in your area & you can buy sterile sodium chloride solution. This is used in hospitals to irrigate wounds to flush out bacteria & debris & also helps with wound healing. You can cover the wound with a wound dressing such as Vigalon sheets to reduce scarring.
If the wound is already closed & you are wanting to reduce scarring, as soon as the skin is closed, I would start with a copper peptide serum, covered with a silicone scar-reducing sheet, such as Biodermis or Retouch. This will be a slow & steady process, but will reduce the amount of irregular collagen being produced, thus reducing the density & hyperpigmentation of the scar tissue.
I'm sure you'll get lots of advice, so you should have a pretty good treatment plan! Good luck!
Fondly,
Darren |
_________________ Pure Skin Formulations, LLC | http://www.psfskincare.com |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:17 am |
I have experience with many surgical scars. Some I did not treat soon enough. Use the silicone based scar products at first. Used early they can help heal and reduce redness. They come in gels and sheets.
For raised scars after they heal (it would irriate your scar now) use Super Cop. It does not reduce the color but I've found it to be good for flattening even old scars.
The last type of product you can get at the drug store and is allocin based. It might reduce color after your scar has healed more. |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:59 am |
Try Dermataix really works well very expensive in Ireland but got it very reasonable from this site Essentialdayspa I do not know the size of your scar but a little goes a long way and it only goes on once a day. Mine were from mole removal. |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:51 am |
thank you all, especially Darren! i will go to the local pharmacie (the head guy speaks *some* english) and shove my elbow in front of his face. (i know i should have bought stuff in the states, but i didn't have much time between the bandages going bye bye and the plane toaking off.) the incision is closed (no wound per se), but still very red and slightly angry. about eight inches as well. and it's definitely spreading right over the elbow where i have to do my exercises to stretch and bend several times a day. luckily (i think), this part is numb still. i'm just going mad with the niggling irritation on the top and bottom of the incision -- on top of the still horrendous pain in the joint.
when i get over that hurdle, i will check out the availability of silicon sheets, etc. does EDS sell any copper peptides BTW? i truly can't recall seeing them over here in france. they sound like a better option for the actual skin over the joint as the sheets would crackle and creak (or so i hope) as i get more mobility.... i'm just such a sucky patient. i look on road rash foundly now.
and i've found the ultimate frustration -- getting a goody package from EDS and not being able to play with all the cremes and potions because i've only got one hand to do so! sigh.... i know it's trivial, but it almost made me cry when i couldn't open a jar to put on a much needed mask. silly me! |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:07 am |
Lola Moroney wrote: |
Try Dermataix really works well very expensive in Ireland but got it very reasonable from this site Essentialdayspa I do not know the size of your scar but a little goes a long way and it only goes on once a day. Mine were from mole removal. |
ooh, thank you for this recommendation. just looked it up and saw that it was like the silicon sheets in a tube. it could work well when i get to that point in my healing.
does anyone know if keeping it moist from one of the ointments would help with the discomfort from stretching my arm (and thus the scar)? |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 6:56 pm |
me again. it's 4:00 am and have been up for two hours because of the combo burning within and without. i was so desperate for relief that i rummaged through my still partially packed luggage and found Candessence Scar Cream that Candy sent me. i know i wasn't supposed to use it until i healed more, but.... anyways, the moisture in it seemed to help. will go and get an antibiotic ointment when the sun comes up, but just thought i'd mention this in case anyone ever searchs the archives in misery.
thank you all again! |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:48 pm |
Poor thing. Am glad to see you made it back home safe & sound. How was the trip home? |
_________________ Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~ Voltaire www.Candessence.com |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:55 pm |
la vie en rose wrote: |
thank you all, especially Darren! i will go to the local pharmacie (the head guy speaks *some* english) and shove my elbow in front of his face. (i know i should have bought stuff in the states, but i didn't have much time between the bandages going bye bye and the plane toaking off.) the incision is closed (no wound per se), but still very red and slightly angry. about eight inches as well. and it's definitely spreading right over the elbow where i have to do my exercises to stretch and bend several times a day. luckily (i think), this part is numb still. i'm just going mad with the niggling irritation on the top and bottom of the incision -- on top of the still horrendous pain in the joint.
when i get over that hurdle, i will check out the availability of silicon sheets, etc. does EDS sell any copper peptides BTW? i truly can't recall seeing them over here in france. they sound like a better option for the actual skin over the joint as the sheets would crackle and creak (or so i hope) as i get more mobility.... i'm just such a sucky patient. i look on road rash foundly now.
and i've found the ultimate frustration -- getting a goody package from EDS and not being able to play with all the cremes and potions because i've only got one hand to do so! sigh.... i know it's trivial, but it almost made me cry when i couldn't open a jar to put on a much needed mask. silly me! |
That 'niggling' irritation at the ends of the scar ( we talked about this remember? ) is the healing in progress. For some reason it seems to start on the ends and moves inward. That bionic elbow is going to be the doozy to recover from.
Just use your head when you decide to purchase anything on the wound. The scar sheets are a good idea, if you can't find any I'll happily send some to you. Just bought some tonight to cover a bad burn hubby got. Put my scar cream under it then the sheet.
I'm sorry you're hurtin so much. When all else fails I guess a bottle of your favorite vino may be in order! May not help, but you'll be too drunk to care, lol. |
_________________ Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~ Voltaire www.Candessence.com |
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