I do use Lidocaine patches. So far I haven't had any issues with getting them approved by insurance and my last ones had a $0 copay. The itching I expected with my incisions...but not the red bumps and welts that surrounded the incisions and THAT was what was driving me totally batty. Like...there was itching prior to the removal of the bandages and replacement of the steristrips and that seemed like normal healing itchiness. But then I developed the red bumps and welts surrounding the incision and about 6 inches around it about a week after the bandage removal. That has improved since I started taking the antibiotics.

The itchiness on my legs and those bumps and welts are still pretty bad though...so maybe that is just from dryness and is unrelated to what was happening on my back. I will look into that salve though for sure. Thanks.