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PV123's avatar
PV123
Member
6 years ago

Port a cath incision scar red and itchy sometimes.

I had the port inserted 6 months back.  Since the last few weeks the port incision scar sometimes get red and itchy specially when I exercise.  It itches so much that I feel like ripping it. 

 I have spoken to the oncologist who suggests seeing a GP.  The itchiness and redness gets better sometimes by applying betadine. 

 I also spoke to the breast surgeon (the port was inserted by a radiologist).  The surgeon seemed to think that this can happen with any part of the skin that has been cut.  

Has anyone else had any such issue with the port incision scar. 

The port is working fine, I have 3 weekly Herceptin infusions through the port.  
portacath
side-effects
  • PV123's avatar
    PV123
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thank you @Katy_Sodapop and @Sister, will remember to moisturise and massage.
  • Katy_Sodapop's avatar
    Katy_Sodapop
    Member
    6 years ago
    Sister said:
    Mine is often itchy - doc says scar tissue combined with dry skin (from the Letrozole) and recommends moisturise, moisturise, moisturise (but I get lazy)
    This is my issue too and the scar tissue in general is just aggravated skin 
    I've heard massage and dry needling can help break down the scar tissue 
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    6 years ago
    Mine is often itchy - doc says scar tissue combined with dry skin (from the Letrozole) and recommends moisturise, moisturise, moisturise (but I get lazy)
  • PV123's avatar
    PV123
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thank you @StarGirl, that makes sense.  My itching is worse this week ( I had Herceptin this week).  I didn’t make the connection but now that you mention it my itching is always worse in Herceptin week.  
  • StarGirl's avatar
    StarGirl
    Member
    6 years ago
    @PV123, I itch all the time, especially after Herceptin (Herceptin itch is the worst). I manage it with Telfast, cortisone creams, cyclosporine and prednisolone. I actually did break the skin over the port once. It didn’t get infected, but I did need to have a surgical repair - oops
  • PV123's avatar
    PV123
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thank you ladies, your responses have helped me immensely.  

    @Katy_Sodapop and @StarGirl, how often do you have the itching and what do you do to stop the itching.  I have had skin staph infections in the past and I am worried that the itching may open the skin causing infection.
  • StarGirl's avatar
    StarGirl
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @PV123, I’ve had my port in for 5 years and that still happens. I think it’s just having the skin stretched over a foreign body, and a bit of friction from movement. Take care.
  • Katy_Sodapop's avatar
    Katy_Sodapop
    Member
    6 years ago
    I had a port taken out 4 years ago and mine still gets itchy 
    You might keloid scar? I had DIEP surgery also and my scarring is horrible and itchy all of the time and especially during exercise because of the sweat! 
    And so I'd say it's totally normal but really annoying