A scar is a visual legacy of a wound healing. Most scars occur in connection with accidents and injuries. Especially falls and cuts can be the cause of large scars. Depending on how well the wound is disinfected, the higher the chance of not keeping larger scars.
What is a scar?
A scar is an old wound that is considered healed or is still in the healing process, but has still left visible marks on the skin. A scar is the name given to an old wound that is considered healed or is still in the process of healing, but has still left visible marks on the skin. If the wound is still healing, the scar or scab is blood red and forms a small crusty bump. Older hubs, such as surgical scars, often form skin-colored growths that still clearly resemble the suture after surgery. In the case of an injury-related scar, the course of the wound would still be quite evident.
Causes
Primary scar is not a scar in the medical sense – however, it is popularly referred to as such. The reddish scab is made up of dried platelets that are held together with fibrin to close the wound. Only following this stage does the actual formation of the scar take place. The scar itself is made up of low-grade tissue that is formed when the collagen network of the skin, as well as the dermis, is destroyed. Scar tissue is loose, because it is also collagen, but it is not intertwined, but appears in a parallel arrangement. A scar develops as a different colored tissue from the rest of the skin because there are no or very few melanocytes in the scar tissue. Scars develop not only on the visible areas of the skin, but also, for example, on the heart muscle after a heart attack. The muscle cells die after the infarction and scar tissue forms – as a result, the pumping capacity is severely impaired. In turn, scar tissue does not form on the mucous membranes, which is why plastic surgery relies primarily on such incisions.
Diseases with this symptom
- Acne
- Heart attack
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Wound healing disorders
- Hemangioma
- Smallpox
Treatment and therapy
You can not treat a scar, because it develops by itself during the healing of a corresponding wound – it is the only possible form of permanent wound closure. However, it is possible to influence its course and appearance so that the aesthetic impact on the bearer of the scar becomes less significant. Good wound care to prevent complications or infections ensures that a clearly visible scar does not form. If the scar is an elevated growth or has developed deformities due to complications, there is the option of removing it surgically or with laser radiation – but this can cause new scars to form again. For burn wounds, compression bandages are used for months and years to keep scarring under control.
Complications
A scar is a low-grade, fibrous replacement tissue that forms after the network of skin is destroyed. Especially when the scar is still very fresh and it is in a state of healing, a scar must be taken care of and kept clean. Otherwise, very serious complications may well occur, which can be fatal. If a fresh scar is not kept clean, the tissue can become inflamed very quickly. In the early stages, this complication can be contained and eliminated by taking antibiotics. However, if the tissue becomes inflamed and the use of said medication is not taken, there is a risk of blood poisoning. The tissue is in danger of dying, so that subsequent limbs may even have to be amputated. A doctor should therefore be consulted at the first sign of inflammation. A doctor should be consulted urgently at the latest when pus formation can be seen on the scar. Scars that have to be closed with a suture can also become inflamed very quickly during the wound healing process. Here, too, the following applies: urgently avoid contamination and keep the wound clean. Thus, the healing process is not disturbed and there is no risk of inflammation.
When should you go to the doctor?
A scar does not necessarily require medical treatment and in many cases heals on its own. A doctor should be consulted if the scar causes severe pain in the affected area. The pain can spread from the scar to different parts of the body. Likewise, a doctor should be visited if the scar bleeds or is purulent. In these cases, an inflammation can develop at the scar, which must be treated medically in any case. Slight pain on a scar is a common symptom, but the pain disappears after a few days. If the pain persists for a long time, the scar must be examined by a doctor. After an accident or in case of acute pain, an emergency doctor can also be called or a hospital can be visited. However, if the discomfort is mild, a dermatologist can also help. It should be noted here that not all scars heal completely and some may remain on the skin forever.
Outlook and prognosis
If you have a scar, you do not necessarily have to face further difficulties or complications. The further course of healing with a scar depends greatly on the general condition of the affected person and the scar itself. A scar usually heals within a few weeks or months. Whether and how quickly the scar heals depends largely on how it was formed. However, most scars heal within just a few weeks. Often there is pain at the scar itself. This pain is common for the first few days after the scar is formed, but should subside over time. If the scar still hurts after a long time, a doctor should be consulted. Inflammation and infection can occur on the scar itself, which can spread to the entire body. Therefore, hygienic treatment of the scar is extremely important. The skin on the scar is often tight and dry. In this case, treatment with creams is recommended. If a scar starts bleeding again after a while, a doctor must be consulted immediately. This can lead to consequential damage. Mostly, however, scars heal after a short time and do not lead to further discomfort.
Prevention
If there is a scar or injury to the skin that also affects the dermis, care should be taken to keep the wound clean and germ-free and to dress and disinfect it properly. In this way, complications and scars can be avoided. After surgery, wound care should be left to the nursing staff in the hospital; in the case of deeper cuts, you can also make sure yourself that the wound heals without complications. If you have been to the hospital to have the wound treated, you should have it explained to you exactly how it should be treated afterwards, as you will then usually have to take care of this yourself. This also applies to the time after discharge from the hospital, because at this point wounds from a surgical procedure have often not yet healed.
This is what you can do yourself
As a rule, you do not need to see a doctor if you have a scar. If the scar does not hurt and does not involve any other complications, no treatment at home is necessary. However, the scar can be creamed with various creams and other care products to speed up the healing process of the skin. However, in many cases, it cannot be ruled out that a scar will remain on the body forever and will not heal. In most cases, however, a scar does not lead to further complications and does not require special treatment. The care products should be antiseptic and moisturize and grease the scar. This will speed up the healing process. However, if the scar hurts, bleeds or festers, a doctor should be consulted. This can quickly lead to an infection or inflammation. If the scar is still relatively fresh, it should be covered with a plaster or bandage. This prevents dirt and germs from getting on the scar and thus delaying the healing process. Treatment with medication does not usually take place; only in a few cases does an antibiotic have to be taken to treat an infection. A scar massage can relieve pain and relax the skin.
