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Scars come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: itchiness.
While new scars are often the itchiest, old scars can itch too, especially when you experience skin changes like weight loss. Scar types include:
Itchy scars don't have to keep you up at night or fidgeting at work. Read on for more information on how to treat them.
Scarring is the body's natural response to a skin injury that reaches the dermis, the layer of skin just under your outermost skin layer. The injury triggers the body to make collagen, a skin protein. Collagen fibers are naturally thicker and less flexible than surrounding skin.
Here are a few reasons why scars can become itchy:
When something injures your skin, your body's nerve endings can become damaged, too. The nerve endings can become very sensitive and cause itchy sensations as they start healing.
New scars form for a number of reasons:
Old scars are considered to be at least 2 years old, and they can itch for a number of reasons.
Sometimes, a scar can make the skin feel very tight. This is often the case if scarring occurs after a skin burn. Tight, stretched skin is often itchier.
Also, if you suddenly experience weight or skin changes, the scar may itch more. The same is true if you have dry skin.
Surgical scars are often deeper than the average skin injury. As the skin starts to heal, it's usually itchy.
Treatments for scarring can depend on the type of scar you have. For example, a doctor wouldn't usually recommend surgery to correct a small scar. But they may suggest it for large, hypertrophic scars that rise above the skin.
Your doctor may recommend noninvasive and invasive treatment options.
Doctors will usually recommend noninvasive treatments first to reduce the itchiness and overall appearance of a scar. Examples of these types of treatments include:
In addition to these measures, it's always a good idea to apply sunscreen to an injured area. This helps prevent scars from becoming hyperpigmented, or darker than the skin around them.
If a scar fails to respond to at-home treatments and causes significant discomfort or an undesirable appearance, a doctor may recommend invasive treatments. These include:
Your doctor will consider if the treatment will help improve the scar or make it worse. They'll discuss the risks and benefits to each intervention as well as recovery times.
Itchy scar prevention can start before the scar forms. Promoting healthy skin healing whenever possible is a big step to minimizing a scar and skin damage. Preventive tips include:
If you try these tips and your scar starts to hurt more or doesn't seem to be healing, call your doctor.
Itchy scars are rarely a medical emergency. However, if you itch them excessively, it's possible that you could introduce infection-causing bacteria. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, and feeling hot to the touch. You should see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
You should also see a doctor if:
Your doctor can evaluate the scar and make treatment recommendations.
Itching can be a symptom of the scar healing process, and treatments are available.
From keeping the scar moisturized to massaging it, these steps can help minimize itching. If over-the-counter medications aren't helping to minimize the discomfort, talk to your doctor about other potential treatments.