

Cuts, bruises, and injuries are part of life and we’ve all dealt with wounds and scabs that appear thereafter. But what is a scab and why does it occur? Moreover, as they are not cosmetically appealing we tend to peel and scratch them, only to find bigger, deeper wounds. Read through to know about the scab healing process and how do you get rid of scabs quickly?
A scab is a crusty layer that appears over a wound. Made up of a layer of dried skin cells, the protective crust is part of the body’s healing process. A protective layer begins to form soon after injury. As the wound heals, this layer dries up, turning crusty. The scab automatically sheds away once the wound is fully healed.
Why Do Scabs Occur?
The formation of scabs is extremely important in the wound healing process. They are formed out of the body’s defence mechanism. They cut off the wound from environmental germs and bacteria, thus protecting it from getting infected. They are also crucial to cut down blood or fluid loss that happens through open wounds.
How are Scabs Formed?
Wounds allow the blood and other body fluids to flow out. To prevent loss of blood, platelets begin to stick together at the place of injury to form a clot. To begin with, the platelet layer is a transparent layer which protects the wound from dust and environmental infections. But as days pass and the wound begins to heal, the platelet clot layer dries out. It gradually changes colour from red to brown and then black. The hardened crusty layer is called the scab.
How Does a Scab Feel Like?
As the skin tissues beneath the scab begin to heal and regenerate, the common feeling is that of itchiness, stretched skin and pain at the site. This is accompanied by a tingling sensation and skin sensitivity. No wonder, we invariably tend to peel away the healing scab before it has fully healed. Unfortunately, this reverses the scab healing process, turning it back into a fresh wound again.
How Do You Get Rid of Scabs Quickly?
The scabs are not cosmetically appealing. To top it up, there is an unending urge to scratch and itch at the injured spot. This invariably leads to peeling, picking, or scrubbing the scab. For obvious reasons, this is not the ideal thing to do. But then how do you get rid of scabs quickly? Listed below are some helpful tips on how to heal scabs fast. These are:
1. Keep Them Clean
It is important to keep the scabs clean to prevent further irritation or risk of infection. Avoid any harsh strokes when cleaning the area. Gently wipe it clean with a mild cleanser and freshwater.
2. Avoid Touching It
While the urge to scratch the area is very high, the scab healing process is the fastest when the scab is left untouched. Touching, scrubbing, or scratching the scab delays the scab healing process and increases the risk of infection and scarring.
3. Moisturise the Area
The itchiness around the scab area is due to dryness and stretched skin. Moistening it well with a good moisturiser, petroleum jelly, or coconut oil helps maintain the skin’s moisture levels, reducing the urge to scratch. This also aids in healing scab as a dry wound slows down the healing process.
4. Apply Antiseptic Ointment
When the wound is still fresh and the platelet scab layer is still thin, tender, and fragile, coating it with a thin layer of antiseptic ointment helps. While the application of over-the-counter antiseptic ointment does not expedite the scab healing process directly, it cuts down on the risk of possible infections in open wounds which may delay the scab healing process.
5. Alternate Warm and Cold Compress
A warm compress is recommended for skin regeneration. Applying a warm compress on and around the wound increases blood flow in the area. A warm compress also provides instant relief to itching as it moistens the skin, making it less stretchy. Alternating it with a cold compress helps reduce inflammation and pain in the area. Together, they help fasten the scab healing process.
6. Cover the Wound till Scab if formed for faster healing
As the scab covers the wound from external infections, a cover on the wound retains the natural moisture and promotes healing till the time a scab is completely formed. Consider covering it with a sterilised cotton cloth or over-the-counter available bandages. Remember to change the bandage every day and clean the area with an antiseptic liquid before changing the bandage.
7. Get Enough Rest
Getting enough sleep revs up the immune system. Sleep helps the body to rejuvenate. It helps repair worn out tissues quickly. Therefore, if you want to know how to heal scabs fast, getting adequate sleep is the key.
8. Eat Good Food
Food plays a vital role in the regeneration of tissues and healing of wounds. Eating a balanced diet helps provide the required amounts of nutrients that aid the scab healing process. Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals.
9. Stay Hydrated
The quality of the skin and its elasticity depends upon its hydration levels. Well-hydrated skin will heal quickly without leaving scab scars. Also, if the body’s hydration levels are high, the scabs will feel less itchy, stretched, and painful.
10. Take Supplements
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, and selenium are important vitamins and minerals that play a crucial role in the body’s healing process. So, pop a few multivitamin supplements to ensure that you maintain the optimum levels of the required micronutrients.
11. Avoid Smoking
Smoking is amongst the worst health habits. It not just harms the respiratory system but also takes a toll on your skin’s wellbeing. Cigarette smoke cuts down on oxygen supply throughout the body. This hinders healing scab. Smoking also lowers the count of white blood cells which are a part of the body’s immune system. As the lymphocytes reduce, the risk of infection increases.
12. Avoid Alcohol
While alcohol may seem to confer a relaxing effect, it is not good for the wound and scabs. Alcohol is a diuretic. It dehydrates the body, delaying the scab healing process.
Conclusion
To quicken up the scab healing process, understanding what is a scab is paramount. A scab, the protective layer on the wound, is the body’s way to safeguard itself from external infections. Scabs typically fall away automatically once the underneath tissues and skin regenerate fully. Till that time, do not pick or scratch scabs as this delays the scab healing process and increases the chances of scars. However, if you notice signs of worsening like severe pain, continuous oozing of fluids, or swelling around the wound, it’s time to see a doctor.