Do we really know about the scab that forms after a wound?

We get injured from a young age, don't we? We fall while playing, we fall off our bikes, we cut our hands while working in the kitchen... After a few days, a hard, brown, crusty layer forms over the wound. We call this a 'scab'. Many people think that this is just a simple thing, but this crust is actually an amazing protector in our body. So today, let's talk about this crust.

What is a crust? What is its importance?

Simply put, a scab is a dried blood clot. When your skin gets a cut or scratch, it starts to bleed. Then our body quickly forms a blood clot to stop the bleeding. When this blood clot dries out after a while, the 'crust' that we see is formed.

Think of it like a natural plaster that your body puts on your wound. It does two main things:

1. Stopping bleeding: The first and most immediate function of a scab is to stop further bleeding from the wound.

2. Protecting the wound: The scab acts like a shield. It prevents germs and dirt from entering the wound, protecting it from infections.

This crust remains firmly attached to the wound only until new skin grows underneath. Once the skin underneath has fully grown, the body no longer needs this protective help. The crust then falls off on its own.

What are the causes of crust formation?

A scab can form anytime your skin's top layer (epidermis) is damaged and bleeding occurs. It's especially likely to form if the wound is dry. As we mentioned above, if you apply some ointment to the wound and keep it moist, it's less likely to form a scab.

Crusts can usually be caused by things like:

• Amputations
• Scratches (e.g., from falling, bumping into something)
• Wounds caused by something like a nail or a thorn
• Burns
• Injuries after surgery
• When the blisters burst

Also, some skin conditions can cause the skin to crack and crust over.

• Acne
• Chickenpox
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• When bitten by insects
• Skin infections like impetigo

What is this crust made of?

A crust is not just dried blood. It contains a combination of several things that are very important for our bodies. To be precise, these are the main components of a crust.

Sometimes, even a piece of thread from your clothing or a small strand of hair can get stuck in the wound before the blood dries and become trapped inside the scab.

The story told in the color of the crust

Usually, the scab is dark red or brown. But sometimes the color of the scab can change. This color can give us some idea of ​​the condition of the wound.

Why are you scratching this crust?

It is normal to scratch around the scab as the wound heals. This is part of the healing process. When a wound is injured, our body releases chemicals like histamine. These chemicals cause swelling and itching. Dry skin around the wound can also make it itch worse.

How do you know if a crustacean is infected?

If a crustacean is infected, it may show one or more of these symptoms. Be very careful about these.

• If the crust seems to be getting bigger day by day.
• If the redness around the wound increases or spreads. (It's normal to have a little pink around the wound, but it's not good if it becomes dark red and spreads.)
• If the pain from the wound is getting worse .
• If yellow or green pus oozes from under the crust.
• If you feel an unusual warmth around the wound.
• If you have a fever (over 100 Fahrenheit / 37.7 Celsius) for more than four hours.

If you have any of these symptoms, don't ignore them. See your doctor right away. You may need to take some antibiotics to treat the infection.

Why does a scab take so long to heal?

Some people's wounds heal quickly, but for others, even a small wound takes a long time to heal. There are several reasons for this.

• The size of the wound: The larger the wound and scab, the longer it will take to heal.
• Infection: If the wound becomes infected, it will take much longer to heal.
• Smoking: Smoking constricts our blood vessels, which reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the wound receives. This slows down healing and increases the risk of infection.
• Uncontrolled Diabetes: If diabetes is not well controlled, blood circulation becomes poor and wound healing becomes very slow.
• Weakened immune system: People with weak immune systems are more susceptible to infections and wounds take longer to heal.
• Age: As we age, the body's ability to heal naturally decreases slightly.
• Certain medications: Corticosteroids, NSAIDs (painkillers), and some anti-cancer drugs can delay wound healing.

In such a case, definitely see a doctor.

• If there are symptoms of an infection mentioned above.
• If the wound is turning black around it, this means that the tissue there is dead (necrosis). This is a serious condition.
• If the wound doesn't stop bleeding after applying pressure for 10 minutes.
• If the pain doesn't subside even after taking a regular painkiller.
• If the stitches on a stitched wound break and the wound reopens .

Finally, isn't it better to peel the crust?

Something we all did when we were kids, and probably still do today, is to peel, dig, and discard the shells. But this is actually not the best thing to do.

Imagine what happens when you peel a shell:

1. Along with that crust, you also remove the new, delicate skin cells that were growing under it with difficulty.

2. Then the wound will reopen. The body will have to make a scab again from scratch. If you keep peeling off the scab like this, there is a high chance that you will end up with a large scar.

3. Most importantly, when you remove the scab, it's like removing the protective shield of the wound. This allows germs to easily enter and cause an infection.

Scabs are an important part of our body's amazing healing process. So the next time you have a scab on your skin, instead of looking at it and thinking about peeling it off, think about how hard your body is working to protect you. Keep the wound clean and watch for signs of infection. If you have any concerns, never hesitate to seek medical advice.

Scab, wound, wound healing, infection, skin disease, wound first aid