Ugly, itchy scar! Help!

[JerseyWoman]

I had a total thyroidectomy, and they removed 1 of my 2 parathyroids as well.  Being of sicillian decent, I tend to form keyloids.  This one is no exception.  Now I have a big, ugly scar that's itching like crazy at the base of my neck.  Although everyone says it's "not that bad" - it's not on thier neck!  I'm very self consious about it.  I also have a smaller scar that looks like I nicked myself under it from where the drainage tube was.  That one REALLY itches.  I have bought medernal cream, but I have to say, I used it for a foot surgery 6 months ago and it never did anything for that scar either.  Any better suggestions?  I feel as though everyone is looking right at my neck when they talk to me.

ANY Suggestions is DEEPLY appreciated. I'm embarrased to say that I feel somewhat ... deformed....

[JerseyWoman]

I found it interesting that you all said Maderna made you itch!  I've been using it almost on a daily basis in the hopes it would help - knowing darn well it won't anyway.  I guess we all just need some kind of hope and shelled out the $20 for a little tube of it!   Hey, we can dream huh?  So I'm going to stop using it and see if that helps.  I am, however, really suffering with these damn muscle aches and cramps.  It sucks.  I'm trying desperately to get back to work, but could only manage 1/2 days this week.  Will this EVER end?  

PS:  ChitChat - Yes! I am in central Jersey.  Home of the big Shopping malls....

[CUZMO21]

i not only have the scar from the TT but also had a trach put in so now it is tethered to my wind pipe, that is annoying who knows how long this will last

[whittie918]

Sicillian decent here too with a nasty old keloid/scar.  I think I'm going to have this for years.  My doctor said to use Maderma but it really has not worked at all.  Just made me itchier.  In the past, my keloids took years to work their way out and even then they are still a bit noticeable.  I'm sorry to sound so negative, its tough when folks think you were a victim of a violent crime or have an abusive spouse.  I even had an interview where the lady just could not stop starring at my scar in total horror.  

[ChitChatNine]

Your Dr. can script cortisone cream since you are terrified of needles.  I had two injections in my scar bcz of scarring problems ... they weren't that bad .. by the time you said ouch it was over.  My scar is really almost faded on 3/4's of it and I had abscesses and some nasty scarring from it and another procedure above it to remove a 1cm lump that thank goodness was scar tissue that formed under the skin from a cyst that was infected that burst that we never knew I had until 12hrs post op it started to show like a pea and they misdiagnosed the thing as a lymph node until it grew and got red and nasty and then out it came, too 6 weeks post op

I'm in Jersey .. R U ?
C~

[hazelhurst]

The puffy areas will go down. It might takes months. My neck felt tight and numb for almost a year!  Mederma made me itch--so watch out for that.  I wasted twenty dollars...

I didn't put anything on the scar for months, just kept it out of the sun at least a year.  Now, sunscreen and lotion.  After almost 2 years, the skin on the front of my neck feels tight every now and then.

[KJ5854]

I just had total thyroidectomy two weeks ago and today the glue has come off and I can see my scar.  It's not as bad as I thought it would look, but it does appear "puffy" in two areas.  Will this puffiness go down?  I don't have much itching but I was wondering about the lotion.  So, vit e oil is the best?  Do you know how soon after surgery lotion can be used?  I forgot to ask my surgeon that at my appointment last week.  Any other creams that can be used to help heal the scar?  Thanks!

[JerseyWoman]

What is "hungry bone syndrome"?  My muscles have been aching SO bad these past few days I'm miserable.  I called my Dr. and he said it was probably due to hypothryoidism because my levels aren't high enough  yet.  All I can say is I used to be an active parent of two very active teenaged boys. Now reaching for the remote seems to be the most energy I can muster up.  I don't mean to whine - but AGHHH!  I'm so miserable still!  It's just one thing after another!

[medicmommy]

Hello!
You're going to be fine! The itching is the tissues healing! It will continue for a couple months...By this time next year, a faint scar..No itching...I was told to keep that area out of the sun, use vitamin E oil and SPF 30 sunscreen (I actually found a lip sunscreen that had aloe and SPF 30 in it! It worked great for scar dabbing!...) If the area is driving you mad, it is okay to use a little cortisone cream..but just a little...Too much can slow down healing...Be prepared for swings in your PTH level and "hungry bone syndrome" too...Good luck in your recovery!

[JerseyWoman]

My Surgery was on 1-24-08  - 3 weeks ago.  I'm terrified of needles, so the corisone injections are OUT.  I even had the dr. remove a "tag" from my neck while I was under because I'm too afraid to have him do it while awake!  

Is it too early to rub any vit. e on it yet?  

I'm beginning to feel as though the recovery is worse than the goiter....  I'm really having a hard time.  

[SaraFL]

i had a keloid after my first thyroid surgery and I remember how itchy it was etc.  They eventually had so inject the scar with cortisone in as a one time treatment and it got rid of the keloid. They did it in the surgeons office.

[scarlet37]

My potion of choice was plain old vitamin e oil. I rubbed it in 2 times a day. I am 14 mths post op and my scar is very faint and in the crease of my neck, only those who knew i had surgery can see it because they look for it. As far as where the drain was my surgeon told me that one is always the last to go, and i should rub the oil on it as hard as possible to help break up the scar tissue. It has worked nicely for me it is not noticeable at all anymore.

I'm sorry i don't recall when your surgery was but make sure whatever lotion you use is ok with your doctor and that you are not doing it to soon after surgery.

Best Wishes~