Why scabs form. Plain and Simple

by James Channing Shaw, MD

Here’s what everyone should know about open wounds and scabs:

1.     Wounds heal only in a humid environment. Dry skin cells are DEAD and cannot grow to heal the wound.

2.     Scabs form as nature's way of preventing the wound from drying out and to CREATE a moist environment UNDER THE SCAB that allows cells to multiply.

3.     The alternative to a scab is a proper covering. Open wounds heal best when COVERED. It's like a scab, only better.

4.     You can create the healing environment (and AVOID THE SCAB) by NEVER letting the wound open to the air. Ever. The oxygen comes from the blood that feeds the skin cells, not outside air directly.

5.     It takes longer for a wound to heal if allowed to form a scab, vs. a dressing.

6.     To prevent the bandage from sticking, apply an ointment (containing NO water- you have to read the label) before bandaging. ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT has been shown to be no better than plain petroleum jelly or similar healing ointment. The most familiar products are Vaseline and Aquaphor.

7.     A bandage can be left on a clean wound for several days at a time. There is no need for daily dressing changes unless the bandage gets soaked.

8.     Open wounds RARELY BECOME INFECTED if they are cleaned before applying the dressing. Signs of infection include SIGNIFICANT increase in pain and redness several days following the injury.

Sincerely yours,