Gastroschisis Scar: Healing & Care Tips

Gastroschisis Scar: Healing & Care Tips Gastroschisis scar care is very important for kids who had surgery. It helps with healing and keeping scars manageable. After a baby is born with gastroschisis, they need surgery right away. Knowing how to take care of the scar afterwards is key for their recovery.

Healthcare groups, like Acibadem, can teach you how to best care for surgical scars. They give tips to make sure kids get the great care they need.

Understanding Gastroschisis and Its Impacts

Gastroschisis is a condition some newborns have. It affects the belly area. The baby’s intestines or other organs can stick out. Then, doctors need to fix this with surgery. A mark, called an abdominal wall defect scar, might stay after the operation.

---

Get Free Consultation

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

- Step 1 of 4

Select Your Gender *

• Woman
• Man

Next

Select Your Age

Age: 0

Next

When do you plan on getting The Treatment? *

• As Soon
• 3 Months
• 1 Year
• Only Info

Next

What is your name? *

Dropdown *Select Your TreatmentCheck-upEar Nose ThroatCardiovascular SurgeryMedical OncologyDentistryNutrition and DieteticsPediatricsDermatologyPhysical Therapy and RehabilitationGeneral SurgeryOphtalmologyInternal MedicineObstetrics and GynecologyWeight Loss SurgeryOrthopedics Traumatology and Sport InjuriesNeurologyNeurosurgeryRadiation OncologyEndoscopyCardiologyRadiologyUrologyOrgan TransplantationHematologyAesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryBone Marrow TransplantationIVF

Phone *

What is your email? *

Paragraph Text

Get Your Consultation

---

ACIBADEM Health Point: The Future of Healthcare

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, which is why we have established multiple branches in strategic locations. Whether you're in need of routine check-ups, specialized treatments, or emergency care, ACIBADEM Health Point is here for you.

---

What is Gastroschisis?

Gastroschisis is unique. It shows up as a small opening near the belly button. This opening lets the intestines, and sometimes more, come out. Surgeons fix this soon after birth. This surgery helps prevent problems later and starts newborn surgical care.

How Gastroschisis Affects Newborns

Gastroschisis impacts are more than physical. At first, babies might lose fluids, be exposed to cold, and get infections. So, they need special care right away. The surgery is key, but can also lead to its own issues. It might leave a scar that needs careful watching to avoid trouble.

It’s crucial for parents and doctors to know about gastroschisis. Good care really matters for how well these babies do.

Initial Care After Surgery

After a baby has surgery for gastroschisis, taking care of the scar is key. This first while after the surgery is very crucial. It helps the wound heal well and sets up good scar care for later.

First, it’s important to keep the surgery area clean to stop infections. Doctors say to clean the site often and well. Use the cleaning products and dressings they tell you to.

Watching for any problems is a must. If the surgery spot gets red, puffy, or leaks something strange, it could be a problem. Anyone who sees this should tell the doctor right away.

For long-term scar care, doctors may suggest using silicone products later on. These help scars be less visible and skin heal smoother. You start using these after the wound is fully closed.

But, healing is not just about the wound. Good food, lots of water, and keeping an eye out for issues are all important. A strong mix of wound care, eating right, and watching closely helps the baby heal well. This way, they might have fewer bigger scars from the surgery.

Stages of Scar Healing Process

The scar healing process has many stages. Each stage is very important. It helps the wound heal right and makes scars smaller. Knowing about these stages can help people care for the wound better.

Inflammation Stage

The first part is the inflammation stage. It starts right after the injury. The body sends white blood cells to the wound to keep it clean. This makes the area red, warm, and swollen.

• Increased blood flow to the area
• White blood cell activity to prevent infection
• Release of growth factors to stimulate healing

Proliferation Stage

After inflammation comes the proliferation stage. Here, the body works on making new tissue. It creates collagen and new blood vessels. This makes scar tissue development happen. This stage can last a few days to weeks, depending on the wound’s size and the person’s health.

1. Formation of granulation tissue
2. Angiogenesis, or the development of new blood vessels
3. Epithelialization, covering the wound with new tissue

Maturation Stage

Then, we have the maturation stage. This is when the new tissue gets strong and looks better. It can last for weeks to years. The scar becomes flatter and fades over time.

• Collagen fiber realignment
• Reduction of scar thickness
• Improvement in the color and texture of the scar

Knowing these stages helps caregivers a lot. They can help make the scar look good. They can also make sure the scar isn’t too big.

Daily Scar Care Tips

It’s key to carefully look after a gastroschisis scar every day. This helps it heal well and look less noticeable. By sticking to a daily care routine, you can see a major improvement over time.

Cleaning the Scar Area

Keeping the scar clean is very important. This stops infections and maintains its hygiene. Wash the area with mild soap and lukewarm water softly. Don’t rub or scratch the scar. Then, gently dry it with a clean towel. Be sure it’s completely dry before putting on any creams or coverings.

Applying Moisturizers and Ointments

Moisturizing scar tissue is key for healing. Use a cream or ointment your doctor recommends. Look for ones with silicone, vitamin E, or aloe vera. Do this twice a day. Gently rub the cream into the scar. It makes the skin softer and not so stiff.

Sun Protection

Protecting scars from sun is very important too. Sunlight can make scars look darker and more noticeable. Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more every day. Even on cloudy days. Also, think about wearing clothes that cover your scar or use special sheets to protect it from the sun.

Follow these care steps every day to help your scar heal better. Talk with your doctor for more tips. They can give advice specific to your child’s needs.

Role of Nutrition in Healing

Eating right is key for getting better after surgery, especially for gastroschisis scars. A balanced diet boosts the body’s ability to heal skin. The right nutrients and plenty of water are crucial for healing wounds and making scars look better.

Essential Nutrients for Scar Healing

Having lots of different nutrients helps heal scars faster. Vitamin C helps make collagen, which is in scar tissue. Zinc helps fix cells, and Vitamin A speeds up skin repair. Proteins give the body what it needs to mend tissues.

• Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers
• Zinc: Nuts, seeds, lean meats, and whole grains
• Vitamin A: Leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots
• Proteins: Fish, chicken, legumes, eggs

Hydration and Its Importance

Drinking enough water is crucial for soft, healthy skin and healing wounds. Water keeps the skin from getting too dry, which helps wounds heal better. Staying hydrated improves scars and helps the immune system during recovery.

Good nutrition and staying hydrated can help with healing from surgery, including gastroschisis scars. Following advice from skilled dietitians and doctors leads to better scar care.

Physical Activities and Scar Management

After surgery for gastroschisis, figuring out the right activity level after surgery is key. Doctors who specialize in child surgery say easy activities help without harming the healing scar. These include walking or light stretching.

When you’re thinking about managing scars with exercise, stay away from hard activities. These could include things like running and jumping, which might hurt the healing area. Instead, do gentle exercises for fitness and flexibility. Some good ones are:

• Light aerobic exercises
• Gentle swimming
• Supervised yoga or stretching sessions

Pediatric experts made a helpful table for keeping an eye on the activity level after surgery:

Seeing the healthcare team regularly is essential to change the activity level after surgery as needed. Doing this right not only helps avoid problems but also makes recovery smoother and better.

Products for Scar Tissue Treatment

The right products make a big difference in scar tissue treatment. We look at top options, like silicone sheets and gels. Also, we check out different scar creams and ointments.

Silicone Sheets and Gels

Silicone sheets are great for scars. They make a layer that keeps scars moist and soft. This helps with issues like redness, itching, and pain while you heal.

Silicone gels work well too, especially on hard-to-reach places. They make a soft layer that doesn’t get in the way. As they trap in moisture, scars look better with time.

Scar Creams and Ointments

Creams and ointments are also well-liked for scars. They have onion extract, Vitamin E, and more to soften and make scars look and feel better. These can also help lessens symptoms of scar healing like swelling and itching.

Using them often and in the right way is very important. After all, you want the best results.

Brands like Mederma, Polysporin, and ScarAway are top choices. They’re known for doing a good job.

Preventing Scar Complications

After gastroschisis surgery, it’s key to take care to prevent scar issues. By being careful in the days after the operation, you can make sure the scar heals well. You should watch out for infection and keep the scar from stretching. This needs you to be mindful and follow the doctor’s advice closely.

Recognizing Signs of Infection

It’s very important to spot infection signs early. Look for redness, swelling, or if it feels warm at the site. Also, keep the area as dry and clean as possible. If you see any signs of infection, talk to a healthcare provider right away.

Avoiding Scar Stretching

To avoid the scar from stretching, watch how much your kid moves and plays. They should do gentle movements. Don’t let the scar get a lot of pull. Use special dressings or bandages to help. Taking care this way can stop the scar from getting bigger. It’s what doctors suggest, and it really makes a difference.

Talking with healthcare experts can give you good advice. They help you learn how to notice if the scar is getting infected. They also teach you how to stop the scar from getting too big. Following what the experts say helps your child get better after gastroschisis surgery.