scar stages - Foot Problems Message Board

delem · 01-01-2008, 12:03 AM

Hey everyone! I'd like to hear about how your scars are healing up. My surgery was 1 month ago and the doctor just gave me the 'ok' to wet my feet. Up until then I was wrapped in bandages and my feet got very dry due to the lack of moisture. As expected, my skin (lots and lots!) just started rolling off when soaked in water for a short period of time. I of course don't want to interfere with the wound healing so I make sure that I don't rub or otherwise irritate the incisions when bathing. Instead, I basically let the water do the work. I noticed after three days of showering that the scabs at the incision site and all the surrounding skin is just flaking off by itself. I've always been taught not to pick at scabs so I'm concerned that maybe I did something wrong for it to be coming off this early by itself. Maybe I shouldn't wet my feet every day? Or maybe this is normal? There doesn't seem to be anything funky going on on the inside. In fact, the incision site appears completely smooth and healed up, its just that when the skin flakes off I have pinkish red new skin exposed. No oozing or anything. Does this sound normal to you guys? I guess I just want the old skin to stay put for as long as possible until the new skin is ready to come out. What was your experience like?

CTmom · 01-01-2008, 08:08 AM

Sounds perfectly normal to me. My scars did exactly the same thing (at around 3 weeks when I began to be able to bathe them.) Now I just have pinkish sensitive skin at the scar site. Sure looks a lot better than before! Has anyone's doctor said anything about the developement of scar tissue? My scar is on the bottom of my foot and is quite painful to walk on (like walking on a bunched up sock). My Dr. said it is because of scar tissue developing he will be sending me to physical therapy. Just wondering if anyone else has had this and what can be done about it. I've been putting Mederma on it which is supposed to be good for scars and massaging it in gently but don't know if there is anything more I should be doing.

Dark_Light · 01-01-2008, 10:52 AM

That sounds normal to me too. Don't pick anything, let the water do the work. I did do a little picking, earlier on at 3.5 weeks and I wish I kind of didn't becuase that part is a little dark because it had to re-scab (I thought it was dry blood!!). I am now eights weeks, and half of my scar is light pink and the other half is a little dark but it's still early days. I massage it with and without scar treament. It feels a little numb!

debbie g · 01-01-2008, 12:13 PM

my scars are horrible, but it doesnt bother me. you sound perfectly normal. too much water will dry out your skin.

delem · 01-01-2008, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone, and happy new year to ya!