Why Would An Old Surgical Scar Itch And Swell?

Scars are formed as part of the healing process after an injury or a surgery. Our skin has nerve endings that are responsible for the purpose of sensation. The scar tissue that forms after a wound or surgery lacks these nerve endings, but the surrounding skin has them. This is what causes the itching sensation in the scar area. However, in the case of old scars, the scar tissue gets stretched, and causes the nerve endings in the surrounding tissue to be stimulated. This is what causes the itching sensation in old surgical scars.

The swelling can happen because of two reasons.Either there is some form of infection at the scar area, which could cause the swelling as well as the itching, or there could be cell growth in that area again, causing the scar to swell up. Whichever of these reasons is the actual cause would be apparent after a visit to the physician.

Often new cell growth or weight gain will cause the tissue to stretch, and itchy! Intense Itch. Hydrocortisone did wonders for my 30yr old scar!

So should I see a doctor if my old scar is swollen?

It does nt itch when I look my self in mirror thn its bother me too much I have scar in my lips and I have already dne surgery three times bt it hasnt finished completely dr told me massage rub with bonjela  and can I have any idea mre to reduce it

Any scar on my body, including stretch marks can become inflamed, itchy and scabby (sometimes just about every scar on my body!) when I'm in a current flare of the inflammatory arthritis type Psoriatic Arthritis.  

Talk to your doctor about seeing a Rheumatologist if your old scars are becoming red, swollen, itchy and may scab over again.

Sarcoidosis.....

I have a neural surgery scar and it itches so bad whut can I do!?!?!

I am pretty sure it has to do with infection (even in an older scar). I have four scars on my leg (two on lower femur for screws in groth-plate, and two in upper fibula for groth-plate removal), and all of them are only about an inch long. Only one of them is swelling and itching (lower femur left).

It might have an infection particularly if it feels warmer than the surrounding area.  Get it checked out with the doctor.

I don't have the answer either, but I "DO" have the symptom! After many years, two old surgical scars are slightly swelled, red and itch! One scar is approximately 12 inches long (fractured femur - Jewett Nail) and the other is only about an inch long (lumbar laminectomy X 2), but both scars (obviously in different locations) are red, slightly swelled and itchy! It must be systemic... But WHAT!? My first guess was maybe a Herpes type virus (simplex or zoster- shingles?), but don't know.... That's why I'm HERE! ;-) [ Probably just getting old..... 60 ]