The dangers of picking scalp scabs

Scalp scabs are mostly normal and do not require any treatment. However, some people develop bad habits and like to pick at scalp scabs. If there is no infection around the local skin, there is no need to worry too much in most cases. But if there is an infection, do not pick it with your hands. Be sure to take good care of it, otherwise it is likely to cause scalp damage that will not heal.

In fact, the statement that removing scabs from the scalp is harmful is one-sided. Generally speaking, as long as the scab area of ​​the patient does not become infected after being removed, it will not affect the patient's health. The reason why we prohibit patients from repeatedly scratching the scab area is to prevent bacteria from the hands from infecting the wound during the scratching process, causing secondary infection of the wound, which is not conducive to wound recovery and the health of the patient.

Once the patient's wound is infected with bacteria due to the removal of scabs, it may cause accidental infection, which may cause scalp damage to the patient, and the wound may not heal and may ulcerate. If the situation is serious, the patient may develop a high fever, persistent fever, and cause serious complications and other diseases. So from a medical point of view, we do not recommend that patients repeatedly scratch the scabby areas. If the patient feels itchy on the scabby area of ​​his scalp, we can apply iodine or alcohol to relieve inflammation and eliminate bacteria. Instead of scratching it directly with your hands.

Therefore, in our daily life, we must avoid developing the habit of picking scabs. Only by allowing the scalp to heal naturally during the recovery process can we most fundamentally ensure the perfection of the scalp function. Prevent your actions from affecting your health. It will reduce your scalp immunity and affect your scalp health and hair growth.

Why do wounds itch when they scab over?

First of all, let’s talk about the formation of scars. About 2-3 weeks after scarring, the scars begin to proliferate, the local area becomes red, purple, deteriorates and protrudes from the skin surface, and the new nerve endings are disorganized. The time of scar proliferation varies according to the size of the wound and the individual's physical condition. It usually lasts for 3.5 months or even a year. After that, the proliferation of fibrous tissue gradually stops, and the scar gradually becomes flat and soft, and the color becomes light brown or grayish white. This indicates that the scar has entered the degeneration and atrophy stage.

After talking about the scabbing process, let’s take a look at the scar tissue in the proliferative stage. It will be very sensitive to the physical and chemical factors of the surrounding environment, so the scar will show pain and itching reactions as soon as there is a change in the external environment, among which the itching is particularly obvious. Especially when sweating a lot or the weather changes, the itching is often to the point where the scar epidermis has to be scratched and bleeding occurs.

Especially when sweating a lot, the area around the wound will be particularly itchy. This is because sweat is composed of water, sodium oxide, potassium chloride, protein and urea. When you sweat, the scars become soaked with sweat, and the compounds in the sweat stimulate the sensitive nerve endings in the scars, causing pain and itching.

When the weather changes suddenly, the temperature difference and the changes in dryness and wetness are much stronger than usual. The nerve endings in the scars can sensitively detect such changes and tell people with itching and pain signals. This is why a healed wound feels itchy for a period of time.

Over time, the scar will gradually shrink, degenerate and soften, and the itching sensation will correspondingly decrease and disappear. Therefore, during the scabbing period, resist the urge to scratch.