Caesarean section is a surgical incision in the woman's abdomen and uterus through which the baby or babies are removed, and as such an incision in the skin leaves a scar on our body. The hypertrophic or hypertrophic scar of caesarean section It occurs when excessive scarring has taken place. The appearance it presents is of a raised skin line that accumulates more tissue than normal scarring.
In normal healing, the tissue only covers the wound, without excesses, and in the caesarean section there will be a thin line with little relief; But when the fibrous tissue is produced in excess, the skin begins to be lifted to create a harder and more prominent scar than usual, although it is not more painful. Exaggerated growth of scar tissue that occurs at the site of the injury is caused by excessive collagen formation.
We must distinguish the hypertrophied scar from the keloid scar, which is a mode of hypertrophy, when it is thicker and deformed: the keloid is a large, reddish (benign) tumor that hurts when it forms and then takes on the color of the skin.
The keloid may exceed the limits of the site of the lesion, invading other contiguous areas, and it is common that it needs treatment, while the hypertrophic scar does not invade beyond the site of the incision. It is normal for 5-10% of caesarean sections (and wounds in general) to heal excessively, hypertrophically or keloid.
The causes of excessive scarring are unknown, although they point to various factors that may be related to age, race, site of injury, genetic factors, infection ... Recently, sebaceous glands are targeted as initiating elements. But much remains to be investigated, and in most cases we talk about conjecture.
Most hypertrophic scars flatten and become less visible over the years and may be irritated due to rubbing of clothing or other forms of friction. Therefore it is advisable to continue taking care of the area for a while, hydrating it. It is normal that, during the scar formation process, a sensation of itching or itching is experienced in the area.
Although it is not usual for the caesarean section to remain in the sun, hypertrophic scars should be protected from sun exposure (covering them or using a protective cream) during the first year of formation, as it could become permanent dark .
Hypertrophic scars do not require treatment, since they do not represent a danger to health, but they can be reduced in size through different techniques if we want an aesthetic improvement.
The application of cold (cryotherapy), external pressure, corticosteroid injections, laser treatments, radiation, or surgical removal are some of the methods to reduce the hypertrophic scar. Although we must bear in mind that hypertrophy could reappear and that there is a possibility of suffering adverse reactions to different treatments.
There are products on the market that act by inhibiting excessive collagen formation, which results in a reduction in the size of the scar. It will be the specialist who recommends the most appropriate treatment, if necessary, for our C-section scar.
If necessary, or if we wish, because, already speaking in the first person, I am very proud of the scar of my caesarean section, which is slightly hypertrophic, and although still, after 18 months of being born my daughter, the area is somewhat sensitive, I carry it normally. My doctor points out that I do not have to worry physiologically in any way, nor with the second pregnancy I have already advanced. Healing is fine and there are no risks.
