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Why Has My Skin Become Itchy After Skin Grafting? How Long Will It Last?

Posted on Sat, 27 Oct 2012

Question: I have a full thickness skin graft on my left hand as well as the meshed grafting on my bicep, forearm. I am healing very well but having terrible pins and needles and itching in my hand. It is primarily at night time and is keeping me from sleeping. I have tried aloe, creams, bacitracine, etc. I am at my breaking point this itching is driving me mad. I know it is sign of healing but I need to get some sleep. My burn occurred Aug 8. My grafting was done Aug 16th I was released from the hospital Aug 23 all the staples were removed Aug 30th Any idea how much longer the itching will last?

Answered by Dr. Sudarshan (35 minutes later)

Hi ,

Thanks for writing in.

As you already know itching after the skin grafting is fairly common and is an indicator of healing.
Itching usually lasts for 3 -4 weeks.

You can apply a cool soothing lotion like calamine lotion over the itchy area.It will help a lot. Also you can take antihistaminic tablets like Tab.Zyrtec 1 tablet once daily for itching .

Hope this helps.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards.
DrSudarshan.
Dermatologist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli