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Help, my scar is itchy! Is that normal? And is there anything I can do about it myself? Don't worry, you're not alone with these questions. An itchy scar is a common complaint with scars. Find out where it comes from and how to treat itchy scars.
What is a scar?
Where there is a wound, your body will work hard to close the skin as quickly as possible. A wound loses a lot of moisture and is vulnerable to bacteria, and your body doesn't like that.
In the case of superficial damage, the skin usually heals without a scar. But with a deeper wound, the body has difficulty closing the skin. Therefore, it makes a (sometimes abnormal) scar. Unfortunately, scar tissue does not have the functions of healthy skin. This makes it a lot less flexible and elastic. It also causes more frequent complaints, such as pain, redness, stiffness, and itching.
Many people think it's weird when their scar is itchy, especially if it's an older scar. But the complaint is common.
Why is my scar itchy?
There are several reasons why a scar can itch:
Some scars are more itchy than others. For example, burns are known to be very itchy. But other types of scars also cause complaints. If you have an itchy scar, good care is important.
What should I not do?
With a scar that itches, whatever you do, don't scratch. By scratching, you open up the skin again and again and increase the chance that bacteria will get into the skin. As a result, you worsen the scar and you are much further from home.
Treating an itchy scar
In addition to something you absolutely should not do, fortunately, some things do help.
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