A few things are as problematic as skin after pregnancy, especially a C-section. If you are looking for how to handle skin after a C-section, this article discusses helpful steps.
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How to Get Rid of Extra Skin After C-Section
Here are easy remedies to getting rid of extra skin after a C-section:
1. Exercise
Exercising is, perhaps, one of the best solutions to the pooch you have after a C-section. Workouts tone the muscles under the skin, helping to firm them and pull the stretched skin taut over them. You will also quickly burn fat that way. Engage in strength training and cardio routines; they are best at firming your muscles.
Most women already know to exercise after giving birth, whether or not they have a C-section. But you must get clearance from your doctor before you begin exercising, especially if you will engage in intense routines.
2. Eat Healthily
Eat foods that contain healthy fats and proteins; they help you build the muscles under your skin. Protein contains collagen, the naturally-occurring skin protein that makes it elastic. Therefore, you need it if your skin is to return to normal. How much protein your body needs will depend on your weight, height, and exercise routines. So, inform your doctor so you can get a diet plan to follow.
3. Use Massage Oils
Certain oils extracted from plants contribute to the skin’s self-repair process. Use carrier oils such as coconut or jojoba oil, with a bit of essential oil, as massage oils on stretched skin to tighten it and remove stretch marks. They tend to contain anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidizing properties to relieve the skin.
4. Keep Hydrated
Dry skin is not elastic, as with every other dry thing. If your skin is not elastic, it will become harder to restore it to its state before pregnancy, even better. Drinking lots of water increases the elasticity of your skin. Not only that, but it also helps your body to function better by quickly burning fat and eliminating your stomach’s water retention capacity.
5. Use Skincare Products
Several products claim to tighten loose skin, and some are quite effective. So, look for products that contain collagen, retinoids, and vitamin C, as they may encourage the recovery of your skin’s firmness.
Also, going to a spa to get a skin wrap may help the firmness of your skin, even if it is only temporarily. Some ingredients used in the wrap may help to soften and detoxify your skin, promoting skin elasticity and firmness.
The Place of Surgery
You may want to consider using surgery to remove the pooch on your stomach after a C-section. Abdominoplasty, popularly called a tummy tuck, is a surgery that removes extra skin and tightens the muscles under it. When nothing else seems to work at ridding the skin of excess skin after a C-section, consult your doctor about the option of surgery. It may be your best bet to take care of your skin.
Itchy Skin After C-Section – Remedy
It is normal for the skin around your C-section scar to itch. It is part of the healing process, as the nerves in that skin area may have been damaged during the surgery and may have become extra sensitive. They may also cause numbness around that area, which increases the temptation to itch.
Typically, the hair at the site of the incision may have been shaved before the surgery. If that is the case, your skin may itch when the hair starts growing again. It is crucial to keep from scratching when your skin starts itching, and you may break the skin and risk infection.
Itchy skin after a C-section resolves itself over time; it is usually nothing to panic over. But if it makes you uncomfortable or your skin itches a lot, you can place an ice pack over the area for a few minutes. Avoid clothes made of polyester or nylon as they are likely to aggravate the itching.
Eat well to keep your skin nourished and healthy. It helps reduce the occurrence of itching in the long run. In addition, keep the incision area as clean as possible. Some doctors may prescribe an anti-itch cream, while others tell you to leave it alone. However, follow your doctor’s advice for the best results.
You may also notice your skin becomes dry and peels after a C-section, and it is part of the healing process, and your skin will become better as time passes. You can use moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated while drinking a lot of water.
Pain on Skin After C-Section – What to Do
Pain or burning sensation on your skin after a C-section is typical; you should expect it after such surgery. But you can ask your doctor for some pain medications if you feel extreme discomfort. Also, a heating pad can help alleviate some of the pain you feel. Over time, the pain will disappear.
However, it is crucial to see your doctor if you start having a vaginal discharge, especially if it smells terrible. Also, report to your doctor if there is increased pain with swelling, redness, and pus. Fever, breast pain, breathing difficulty, bleeding from the vagina, pain in the chest, or swelling and pain in your legs are signs of infection, and it is vital to get immediate medical attention.
My Skin Is Numb After C-section – What It Means
Numb skin after a C-section is commonplace and nothing to make you panic. It happens because some nerves in the skin are severed in the process, and regrowth takes some time. For some women, the numbness eases after a few months, while it takes a longer time for others. It may be an unusual feeling, but it is one you will get used to with time. However, speak with your doctor if the numbness persists for longer than usual or you feel uncomfortable with it.
Post-C-section Skin Sensitivity – Remedy
Skin sensitivity does not linger long after a C-section. The skin may feel tender and extra sensitive immediately after surgery, but it wears off as time passes. You will find that you do not feel as sensitive a few months after surgery. Therefore, give yourself time to heal, especially if your skin feels sensitive a few weeks after the C-section. But visit a doctor if skin sensitivity continues long after surgery; it may be linked to a more severe skin issue.
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Rash on Skin After C-section – Treatment
Try home remedies such as taking a cool bath. Never bathe with hot water as it will aggravate the rash. Apply shea or cocoa butter on the affected skin area, or use aloe vera to speed up the healing process. You can also put a wet wrap on the skin. Avoid tight clothing that may rub against the skin and chafe. Instead, opt for loose clothing that allows your skin to breathe. Above all else, take naps and relax as much as possible.
More times than not, rash on the skin after C-section does not need medical treatment. But if you experience discomfort, you can use an anti-itch cream or get allergy shots. Also, consider using an antihistamine or steroid if you are itching or there’s swelling.
The rash on your skin after a C-section may not result from the C-section but the pregnancy. Surgery does not precisely cause a skin rash, but pregnancy can trigger a breakout of rash or hives due to the increase in hormones. The hormones affect your immune system and may cause hives.
Red and Blistering Skin After C-Section – Treatment
Antibiotics are the best treatment for red, blistering skin after a C-section. They are symptoms of an infection, possibly cellulitis or impetigo, and the symptoms may also point to abscesses. Cellulitis is less severe than others and may clear up with two rounds of antibiotic treatments.
But your doctor may recommend surgery if you have an abscess. You will need medical attention after surgery until the wound completely heals, and that is to prevent the wound from getting infected again.
Several factors increase the risk of getting a post-C-section infection or red and blistering skin. Smoking or using any form of tobacco leaves you susceptible to it. Being obese, hematoma or amniotic fluid bacterial infection also contribute to infection.
Furthermore, having an epidural, delivering twins, emergency diabetes, blood transfusion, no prenatal care, among other things, increase the chances of infection. Let your doctor know if you fall into any category or have other conditions that do not show in your medical history.
Lump Under Skin After C-Section – How to Treat
You may have endometriosis if you find a lump under your skin after a C-section. Only a tissue sample can verify whether or not the lump is a result of endometriosis. The treatment you receive for the condition will depend on other symptoms you have. If the lump is painful but not severely so, your doctor may prescribe mild pain relievers.
But medication does not always work for endometriosis after a C-section. Sometimes, you may need surgery. The surgery will remove the cells and a tiny skin portion around them to ensure the erasure of all the harmful cells. It reduces the chances of recurrence. Speak with your doctor to know if the lump is a symptom of endometriosis and the best treatment if it is.
Yellow Skin After C-Section – Treatment
You may be getting jaundice or have an infection if your skin turns yellow after a C-section. You may also notice fluids under your skin, accompanied by pain; it is a vital sign of infection. It is crucial to see a doctor immediately after you notice this development for treatment.
Skin-like Discharge After C-Section – What to Do
There is not much to do about a skin-like discharge after a C-section. During pregnancy, your uterus is lined with a mucous membrane. After you give birth to your baby, your body will shed the membrane and appear like skin. It will also be mixed with some blood, causing a heavy discharge for several days immediately after delivery. It is a normal part of recovery after surgery, and the discharge should abate. See your doctor if the discharge continues weeks or months after delivery.
Bottom Line
You will notice a lot of changes in your skin after a C-section. Some are normal, while others are not. Also, some will resolve themselves, but others will need medical attention. Your doctor may discuss body changes with you before surgery, but it also helps to carry out some research, especially if it is an elective C-section. However, we have detailed some remedies to skin problems after a C-section in this article, and they will help you even at home.
