Scar pain (scar complaints) – causes, treatment and prevention

Scar pain is pain that occurs as a result of a scar hernia, inflammation, or for no apparent reason. They can have a wide variety of causes and can be treated in different ways. Preventive measures are also very effective and can prevent the onset of pain in most cases.

causes

Scar pain and scar complaints can have a wide variety of causes. However, these have not been clarified to this day. So there are people who suffer from painful scars, while other people with similar scars have no problems. It also happens that people have scars that are both painful and unproblematic.Chinese medicine assumes that scars hurt when they are on certain meridians. In western medicine, it is assumed that the hardened connective tissue in the area of ​​the scar is the main trigger for the pain. However, it is not always possible to determine the exact reason for the occurrence of pain.

Scar pain that occurs due to a hernia is caused by the injury to the scar. The same applies to scar inflammation, although the causes here can also be insufficient hygiene or incorrect treatment of the scars.

Diseases

• hernia

• scar inflammation

When to the doctor?

Scar complaints are often a cosmetic blemish. From a medical point of view, there is no worrying condition in this case that requires action. However, if the person concerned suffers from the scars, a doctor should be consulted. Emotional problems or a mental illness can lead to mental illnesses that should be treated by a doctor in good time.

A doctor should be consulted if scar pain occurs regularly or increases. The problems present are usually easily treatable and very promising. If the scar pain continues to spread, a visit to a doctor is necessary. Inflammation of the scar or the surrounding tissue is possible. These need to be treated to stop the spread.

Before the person concerned takes medication for the pain, a doctor should always be consulted. Possible risks and side effects can occur, which must be clarified in good time.

If there are other symptoms such as hardening of the skin or leakage of fluids, a doctor must be consulted. If the scar is covered with make-up, skin reddening or itching can occur. There is an allergic reaction to the ingredients. A doctor’s visit is necessary in order to use an allergy test to determine the substances that are responsible for the allergy.

diagnosis and courseScar pain is usually diagnosed by those affected themselves. However, the possible causes are narrowed down by a doctor. The doctor first carries out a comprehensive anamnesis to determine exactly where the painful scar is, how far the pain radiates, when the pain occurs and how severe it is. He also works on the previous medical history of the patient and tries to find a trigger for the pain. This is not always possible, which is why a physical examination must also be carried out.

During the physical examination, the doctor first feels the scar. In this way, it can be determined whether, for example, there is an incisional hernia or another injury that triggers the pain. If this is not the case, the connective tissue is examined more closely. Are there hardenings here? Are there nerves in the area of ​​the scar? Is the area around the scar stressed by movement? All these aspects must be considered in order to be able to determine a cause.

If there are incisional hernias (hernias), the diagnosis can be made with the help of an ultrasound examination or computed tomography . If the scar is only scratched or otherwise injured, the diagnosis can usually be made by just looking at the scar. The situation is different when the scars are in places that are not visible. Then it is necessary in any case to perform a CT .

The course of scar pain is rarely fatal. If you react in time, the cause can be permanently treated in almost all cases. Only incisional hernias can have serious consequences for those affected if left untreated. In the worst case, the internal bleeding can lead to the death of the patient, which is why one must pay attention to the corresponding symptoms and complaints, especially in the period after an abdominal surgery.

complications

As a rule, it is common for scar pain to occur. If a part of the body has been cut open and stitched back together, in most cases this part will continue to hurt for a few days or weeks. The duration of the pain depends on the size of the scar. However, this pain should subside over time. If the scar pain still occurs after several months, a doctor must be consulted. Scars often become hardened or swollen, which can lead to retractions. Scar pain does not necessarily have to have a negative impact on health.

However, if the scar is close to an important organ or near the lungs, breathing difficulties or other abnormalities in the organs may occur. In these cases, the scar pain should be examined more closely by the doctor. As a further complication, inflammation and further pain can arise around the region of the scar. This is especially the case when this region is heavily used during work or comes into contact with other objects. Treatment can be with medication or creams. It should start wrinkled gladly so that the scar pain can be contained in the early phase.

treatment and therapy

Scar pain is treated specifically depending on the cause. If they are based on an incisional hernia, this must be surgically closed. This is done either openly or laparoscopically. Since incisional hernias usually occur in the abdomen, the so-called sublay technique is usually used, in which the scar tissue is reinforced.

Scar pain as a result of inflammation is treated with appropriate antibiotics . If the scar has already broken open again or been damaged in some other way, surgical intervention is also an option.

Unfathomable scar pain, which usually occurs when the weather changes, can be treated with simple measures. It is often sufficient to apply a scar gel such as Contractubex. Cooling also reduces the pain. You should also avoid scratching the scar or wearing abrasive clothing over the scar.All types of scar pain should only be treated after consulting a doctor. This is also necessary in order to receive further information at the time after the operation (in the event of an incisional hernia) and thus to avoid another incisional hernia.

outlook and prognosis

Usually, scar pain is ordinary pain. Unfortunately, it cannot be universally predicted whether the scar pain will be relieved in the near future or whether the pain will last for a long time or possibly permanently. Unfortunately, in many cases, they cannot be restricted with the help of painkillers. In most cases, however, the scar pain disappears a few weeks after the accident or after the operation that caused the scar. It is not uncommon for this pain to spread to the surrounding regions and cause symptoms there as well.

The scar pain can also be intensified during exertion and possibly lead to sleep problems at night. After an operation, the affected person usually has to take antibiotics to prevent inflammation. Pain therapy can also be carried out if the scar pain does not go away on its own. In the case of psychological problems, treatment by a psychologist is necessary. In most cases, however, the scar pain disappears on its own, so that no special treatment is necessary.

prevention

Scar pain prevention also depends on the cause. Incisional hernias can be prevented by counteracting risk factors such as obesity and cigarette consumption . In addition, no heavy loads should be lifted in the time after the operation. Scar inflammation can be prevented by ensuring good, hygienic treatment of the fresh scar. Finally, it makes sense to protect pain-sensitive scars in order to avoid increasing the pain.