I recently had my old neck dissection scar opened to have an enlarged lymph gland removed. I am wondering what is the best product to use topically on the new scar? I have been told to use Vit E oil from capsules, but then I remember reading that Vit E could perhaps stimulate the area of healing too much. I am interested to know what others have used to help heal their scars externally. I hope this does not sound too superficial!
Thanks

Adele - I used a product called Mederma on my ND scar - you can buy it over the counter, it was recommended to me and it seemed to work well.

Adele,
Vitamin E from a capsule may not be the best idea. I have read about cases where the vitamin E elicited it's own ill effects and delayed healing. It has been know in some cases if it is pure to almost burn the skin.
My skin graft recipient site was rather large 16 cm diameter (the size of a pie plate). When I was released from hospital I still had 150 staples in it which were succesively removed over the next month. During that time I was advised to use polysporin gel. After the staples were all gone (I still can feel one or to that disappeared but I'm in no hurry to get the removed now) My plastic surgeon who did the graft advised me to use "Lanoelle" twice a day and gently massage it into the whole graft and the surronding scar.
Lanolin is a natural oil extracted from the wool of sheep. It is produced by the sebacous glands in thier skin. Lanolin has many natural vitamins and minerals in it that help in wound healing. It has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It is absorbed into the skin and helps to maintain moisture. Lanolin also acts to reduce friction while massaging scar tisuue. Massaging (gently) helps break up and smooth out developing scars by redistributing the cells that are being formed at the base of the scar.
Ten years later I still aplly it once a week.
There have been a few reports of allergic reactions to lanolin so the first couple of times you use it you should watch for redness and itchyness. If nothing occurs then apply as much as you need. Wash your hands immediatly after you're done to avoid getting it in your eyes, nose or mouth.
It worked great for me.

I hope this is usful.
Cheers,
Mike

I used mederma as well
I also read somthing about vitamin E increasing risk of a secondary H&N cancer


"While it was once hoped that supplements of folic acid could help reduce colon cancer, new research has shown that taking more than the minimum daily requirement would be harmful. Simon says other studies underscore the downside to dietary supplements, which are unregulated in the United States. "The most striking example is beta carotene which we used to be very hopeful about, but actually increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Vitamin E increases the risk of second head-neck cancers in people who have been successfully treated for a first malignancy."


this is under the news section here of the OCF

Thank you all, I knew I read about Vit E and not using it after surgery. My surgeon told me to use Vit E. I will email him the article.

Can't find the article regarding Vit E and Oral cancer recurrence. Can anyone tell me where it is?
Thanks

I used Biafine which is prescription on my Neck dissections. It is a deep wound healing cream, but cannot be used on open wounds. It also was great at healing the sunburn from the radiation. Supposedly if you start using it a few weeks before radiation, it helps prevent some of the radiation damage. Naturally you only apply this AFTER the daily treatment, not before.

Take care,
Eileen

11/26/2007
web-based article
Rosanne Skirble
Voice of America (www.voanews.com)

left hand menu bar on log in page under oral cancer in the news/recent articles