Understanding Incisional Inflammation After Heart Surgery: Causes & Treatment

Question
My husband had quadruple heart bypass surgery a year ago.  The incision healed well leaving a thin scar.  About 2 months later a tiny red bubble started at the base of the incision site.  This bubble grew following the the incision line up 3/4  of the incision.  It is bright red, bumpy, about 1/4 inch wide and very painful.  At first he was put on antibiotics, then a topical cream for itching (?), then steroid shots.  We have now been told by 2 different doctors it is inflammation, which can be caused due to irritation. My husband has type 2 diabetes, which both doctors know about.  Is there any way to get rid of this inflammation?  He currently has nothing prescribed to him to help heal it.

Answer
Hi Laurel,
Unfortunately steroids can cause elevation in blood sugar, not a great thing for diabetics. A topical cream probably isn't going to be enough. If you are using a "triple antibiotic" or Neosporin cream, I would stop that  as it can be a significant skin irritant.
The "inflammation" may also represent the sutures trying to exit the wound ( a rare but none-the-less a possibility). It is otherwise hard to tell you exactly what to use as I can not actually see the scar. If it truly inflammation, simple moist warm salt water compresses should settle it down.