Itching After Anesthesia and Surgery

Here’s another great question and answer covering itching after surgery and anesthesia.

Dr. Dave,

I had a c-section about 3 weeks ago with a spinal block but had to go back into the OR for emergency exploratory surgery about 12 hours post ceasar. I was under general anesthesia for about 2 1/2 hours I am told for the exploratory surgery. My biggest complaint is that I have itched everywhere on my body since and can’t seem to find anythings to make it stop. The only medication I have been taken regularly upon my discharge is Motrin 800mg. Could the itching me caused by the surgeries and what could be done to make it stop.

Thanks

Mandy

Mandy,

Thanks for your question.

My initial thought when you mentioned having a spinal, followed by itching, is that you received duramorph (morphine) in your spinal. This works very well to control post-operative pain after c-section, but itching is one of its side effects. But these effects typically last for about 24 hours, and you mentioned you are 3 weeks out from surgery.

Narcotic pain medicines (eg. Vicodin) can also cause itching. But again, you mentioned you are not taking much more than Motrin.

Itching can have many causes, among these are: reactions to medications, skin conditions and rashes, internal diseases (eg. liver disease, kidney failure, anemia), irritations and allergic reactions to various substances, etc.

From the information given, it’s impossible to pinpoint where the issue is for you. But it sounds like this is debilitating enough that you should see your doctor.

If you have no contraindication to them, anti-histamines such as Benadryl may help alleviate some of your symptoms until you are able to get to the bottom of this. Remember that Benadryl will make you drowsy, so be careful if and when you take it.

Hope this helps, and let us know if you figure out what caused the itching.

Dr. Dave