Why does it itch when a wound scabs?

In our daily lives, it is inevitable that we will encounter some small bumps, resulting in skin injuries. During the wound-healing process, scabs are often accompanied by itching. So why do scabs itch? This article will reveal the mystery for you.

What is the process of wound healing?

Wound healing is a complex process that is usually divided into the inflammatory phase, the proliferative phase, and the remodeling phase. During the inflammatory phase, injured skin tissue releases some chemicals, including histamine and prostaglandins, which cause blood vessels to dilate and inflammatory reactions around the wound. As the inflammatory phase ends, the proliferative phase enters, when cells at the edge of the wound begin to divide and proliferate to form new tissue. Finally, during the remodeling phase, the newly formed tissues are reshaped and remodeled, allowing the wound to gradually return to its normal state.

wound scabbing :

Scabbing is an important part of wound healing. When the exudate on the surface of the wound dries, a scab forms. This layer of scab is mainly composed of platelets, fibrinogen, coagulation factors, etc. Their function is to protect the wound and prevent infection. At the same time, the formation of scabs will also stimulate the surrounding skin tissue and cause itching.

What are the causes of itching?

The main cause of itching during scabbing is inflammation and stimulation of nerve endings. During the inflammatory phase, the inflammatory response stimulates nerve endings, causing an itchy sensation in the tissue surrounding the wound. In addition, the scab formed during the scabbing process can also irritate surrounding nerve endings, thereby aggravating the itching sensation.

How to relieve itching?

While it can be difficult to completely avoid itching from scabs, there are steps we can take to relieve symptoms. First, keep the area around the wound clean and dry, and avoid excessive friction and scratching, which can lead to wound rupture and infection. Secondly, you can use some anti-itch drugs, such as antihistamines, hormone drugs, etc., but they need to be used under the guidance of a doctor. In addition, you can also use ice or heat compresses to reduce itching symptoms.

Precautions to prevent itching of wounds :

1. Keep your skin clean: Pay attention to keeping your skin clean at ordinary times to avoid skin infections with bacteria that may cause wound inflammation and itching.

2. Dietary conditioning: Try to avoid eating spicy and irritating foods, and eat more vitamin-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, which can help promote wound healing and reduce itching symptoms.

3. Avoid excessive friction: Pay attention to avoiding excessive friction on the skin, so as not to cause wound rupture, infection, and itching symptoms.

4. Seek medical attention promptly: If severe or persistent itching symptoms occur, seek medical attention promptly to rule out other potential causes.

Itching when a wound scab is a common phenomenon, mainly caused by inflammation and stimulation of nerve endings. In order to relieve itching symptoms, we can take some measures, such as keeping it clean and dry, using anti-itch medicine, ice or heat compresses, etc. At the same time, we should also pay attention to precautions to prevent wound itching, such as keeping the skin clean, eating well, and avoiding excessive friction. Hopefully, this article will help you better understand and deal with itching when a wound scabs over. If you have any questions or if symptoms worsen, please seek medical advice promptly.

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Editor: kiki Jia

Date: October 28, 2022