 |
Does Itching Wound Indicate Sign of Healing? |
Everyone must have been hurt whether it is a small cut,
laceration, or even a post-operative wound. In addition to causing pain,
often the wound will cause itching. Research over the years has shown that
wounds, both large and small, tend to itch when healing. Then, the myth that circulates, the condition of
the itchy wound indicates that the wound will heal soon. Is it true that the itchy wound indicates that it wants to
heal? Check out the following facts.
You have
sensitive nerves under your skin, which reacts whenever there is irritation on
your skin. This can be something simple like an insect crawling on your skin or
more complex like a healing wound. Usually, the itching sensation on the scar
occurs as a result of physical stimulation, chemical stimulation, and also
nerve regeneration or repair processes.
1. Physical Stimulation
New skin
growth can also be itchy. During the proliferative stage, when cells flow
to the base of the wound and pull the skin inward, these nerve cells are
stimulated. As the collagen cells expand and new skin begins to grow in
the wound, which forms the scab. The sebaceous glands can also be damaged
by injury, and when the spot is dry and crusty, it stimulates an itching sensation.
During the wound healing process, these nerves tell the spinal cord that the
skin is stimulated. The brain perceives these signals as itching.
2. Chemical Stimulation
The chemical
stimulation that causes itching of the wound may be due to histamine. These
nerves are also sensitive to chemicals, such as histamine, that the body
releases in response to injury. Histamine promotes the regeneration of skin
cells and is essential for the body's healing process. But it can cause a
reaction, including itching, similar to an allergy. Histamine is common in
keloid wounds and hypertrophic wounds and this occurs together with the
formation of new collagen tissue.
3. Nerve Regeneration
On the other
hand, nerve regeneration occurs in all wound healing processes. During
this nerve regeneration, there are nerve fibers that have a thin myelin sheath
and C nerve fibers that don't have a sheath. The amount of the two is not
balanced, which can increase the itching sensation. All of the above factors
contribute to the itching sensation of the wound while it heals.
These itchy messages from your brain are the ones you should
ignore. Scratching an injured area or scratching a spot can tear new skin cells
that your body makes to heal the wound. Scratching the itch can re-injure the
wound and delay the healing process.
There is a story of an old wife knowing that her wound is healing
because of itching. This is a piece of folklore that is passed down from
generation to generation and is supported by science. The skin is part of
the human body's defense system against infection and invaders. The body is
unable to distinguish between a clean clinical wound from a sterile scalpel and
a dirty wound from a dog bite. All skin lesions are interpreted in the same
way. During the healing process, the body penetrates a wound with inflammatory
cytokines to clear the area of any foreign body or infection. These
pro-inflammatory cytokines cause itching. In many skin conditions, such as
atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, the body rejects inappropriate
pro-inflammatory cytokines from the skin, causing itching. Also, high levels of
histamine have been found to heal skin and blemishes, which we know will create
an itchy sensation. During an injury (especially a burn), nerves may have been
damaged, creating inappropriate signals that the brain interprets as itching.
The sebaceous glands can also be damaged by injury, and dry skin is itchy. That
is why it is recommended to keep the skin clean, covered, and moist with
petroleum jelly.
Most wounds, small and large, go through a four-step healing
process.
Step 1: The
Bleeding Stage
Also called
the hemostasis stage, this is where the injury occurs. Your body responds to
injury by activating a blood clot, lymph fluid, and clotting (coagulation) to stop the blood
loss.
Step 2: The
Defensive / Inflammatory Stage
This is the
beginning of the repair process. It starts immediately after the injury and
generally lasts up to six days. Your body sends white blood cells to fight
harmful bacteria at the wound site, the swelling starts at the wound site and
the skin begins the repair process.
The
proliferative stage, which usually lasts between one and four weeks, is also
known as the granulation stage or tissue regeneration stage. Here you can see
the signs of skin repair: scabies that protects new skin cells that are growing.
Step 4: The
Remodeling Stage
Also known
as the maturation phase or remodeling phase, this phase can last from three
weeks to four years. During this stage, scabies falls off as the new tissue
gains strength and flexibility and the collagen fibers form scars.
Itching can be caused by various things. When you feel
itchy, you will instantly scratch it. This will end up scratching the
wound. Where the wound is scratched, it will make the dry skin layer open again
and slow the healing process. Scratching an itchy wound that is trying to
heal can damage new tissue that has developed to replace and repair damaged
tissue. If this happens, it can slow down the healing process, making your body
more prone to wound infections and can lead to excessive scarring. In addition,
it can cause harmful bacteria from your hands to transfer to the wound, putting
them at higher risk of developing an infection.
Do not scratch the wound. If you scratch, the itching will
disappear and you will feel comfortable. But a few moments later, you will
feel pain in the previously itchy spot due to scratching. Now, because of the
pain, the body naturally releases serotonin. The goal is to reduce the
pain you feel. However, not only regulates pain, but serotonin also
provides a feeling of "satisfaction" when scratching. So, the
more serotonin that pain produces, the more likely you will feel to scratch.
As the wound heals, you will itch. Do not scratch it! There are a few steps you can
take to reduce the itching, but what you really need is patience.
After the
skin is cut, the first step in caring for the wound is to wash it with warm
water and mild soap. In addition to cleansing, this can relieve some of the
itching and irritation. Be gentle so as not to damage the skin growth.
Some other
actions to consider to help with itching include:
· Wash the wound gently with soap
and water to remove dead skin cells that may be irritating.
· Keep the injured area hydrated.
· Protect the area with a sterile
wound dressing that will protect it and help you avoid scratching and contact
with the healing area.
· Apply a cold compress, for no
more than 20 minutes, to reduce inflammation and to numb the itch.
· Wear loose clothing to reduce
irritation to the injured area.
· Wear breathable clothing to
reduce the accumulation of sweat in the healing area.
· Anti-itch creams can be used if
the itching persists and becomes too difficult to manage. Talk to your doctor
about the pros and cons of taking a pruritus-free medicine.
Some of the
therapies that can be given to reduce itching are moisturizers,
anti-inflammatory drugs such as topical corticosteroids that can be applied directly
to the itchy area, interferon, topical retinoic acid, and silicone gel in sheet
or cream form.
Itching during the wound healing process is normal and common and
subside on its own. Usually, the itching will go away in four weeks or
less, but this depends on many factors, such as the size and depth of the wound.
· If your wound has not healed well
or the itching persists after about a month, ask your doctor to check the wound
area to make sure you do not have an infection or other serious health
condition.
· If the itching does not go away
on its own, you may have keloid sores or hypertrophic sores.
· If the itching is accompanied by pain, redness, or discharge, contact your doctor, the wound may be infected.
Comments