Everybody knows from childhood that if a knee is broken, a sore will appear. But this word is colloquial, the official term is a scab. That is, if a crust forms on the wound , this is the scab.
How scabs are formed, their functions
Scabs are formed whenever damage to the skin occurs. It can be scratches, abrasions or burns. They can also occur with certain types of skin diseases.
The scab immediately begins to close the surface of the wound, forming from the dead particles of the epidermis, blood, sucrose, pus. All these secretions are dried by oxygen.
The main function of this crust is to protect the damaged area of the skin from infection. Neither pathogenic bacteria nor dirt enter through it. But such a protective reaction of the body can lead to unpleasant complications, so it is worth treating the wound immediately after receiving it.
The scab remains on the damaged area until the epithelium is completely restored, then it disappears. It is not worth it to tear it off yourself, since bleeding can be caused, then the recovery process will be interrupted. In addition, you can bring the infection into the wound.
When a scab is a problem
What is a scab? This is a natural function of the body. The main purpose of the skin is protection. Therefore, the scab that protects the body from the ingress of pathogenic bacteria from the outside is important to ensure this function. And in most cases there is no need to intervene in the natural process of wound healing.
But there are exceptions to the rule. For example, the wound may not crust over, but remain wet or inflammation begins under it. With a large area of damage, the scab can cause serious inconvenience. Then you need the help of a specialist who will cut him. Sometimes this procedure is carried out as an emergency measure, when the scab interferes with a full blood supply.
Infectious wound infection
Wound infection is a process during which inflammation develops and pus forms at the site of damage to the skin, due to the ingestion of pathogenic bacteria. Infection can occur from the external environment or from the body itself. If any inflammatory process already exists in it, then through the lymphatic or circulatory system the infection can get into the wound.
Although quite often pathogens come from the external environment.
Signs of Wound Infection
After the bacteria are in favorable conditions, within 12 hours they already make themselves felt. On the damaged area of the skin, inflammation begins, manifested by the formation of pus and painful sensations that have a pulsating nature, as well as swelling of the tissues and redness.
A wound infection can have more severe manifestations. Several factors influence severity: the area of the lesion, the type of microbes, and the state of the body's immunity.
So the patient may have a fever, sweating may intensify, or vice versa - chills appear. Sometimes there is a rapid pulse and tachycardia, there are problems with sleep. Also, the presence of infection can be judged by analysis of urine (protein is detected in it) and blood (leukocyte level will rise).
Infectious infections can be dangerous in their consequences. In the most severe case, blood poisoning may occur.
What to do if inflammation begins under the crust
If pus or pain suddenly appears in the wound, then it will be necessary to answer what a scab is. This is a crust that prevents skin regeneration, and therefore medical intervention is required. It is recommended that you consult a surgeon so that he gently opens the wound and cleans it.
If this is not possible, then you can disinfect it yourself. To do this, make the surface of the wound accessible for manipulation. The scab can not be torn off, since an ugly scar may remain after healing. It is better to use a compress that will help soak the crust. For this, an infusion of calendula and chamomile is best suited.
A warm compress should be applied on a crust and left for 15 minutes. Then, when it gets wet, with the help of a cotton pad you can treat the wound and apply an ointment containing an antibiotic, apply a bandage on top of it. This treatment should be done several times a day.
What to do when a wet wound appears
From the foregoing, it is clear that such a scab is a protective crust that covers the site of damage to the skin. But this does not always happen, sometimes the wound does not crust and remains wet. Most often this happens when you get a burn, trophic ulcers, dermatitis and weeping eczema. Wet wound always requires treatment. This is often a long process.
If a problem occurs, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist who will establish the cause of such a complication, conduct the appropriate treatment and prescribe treatment. It is usually necessary to wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then a healing ointment is applied, and a bandage is placed on top of it. It must be changed regularly, at least 2 times a day, but if it gets wet, then more often.
You can use traditional medicine recipes to speed up wound healing. For example, onions have a good disinfecting property. The grated head should be put in gauze and applied to the wound. Compress will help relieve swelling and stretch pus.
Potato has a good healing property. It is necessary to squeeze juice out of it, in which to moisten a piece of a bandage folded several times, apply it to the wound, put a bandage on top. The compress needs to be updated every 6 hours. At first, you should do this more often - once every 4 hours. When the weeping wound begins to dry, it can be lubricated with sea buckthorn oil.
By the way, the damaged area may become wet and not heal if oxygen is restricted to it. For example, stick the patch over the cut area for too long.
If the damage to the skin is superficial and small, then it should be treated and trust the protective functions of the body. As a rule, after a while it will already be possible to see what a scab is. In case of serious damage, seek qualified help.