Useful tips for an itchy scar

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:

• The skin is recovering. This is especially true with fresh scars and is a sign that the skin is working.
• There is a lack of fluid in the scar tissue. The skin balance is disturbed and the skin has difficulty retaining moisture. This can also be caused by temperature changes.

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.

• Use silicone gel, and sheets, a lot of research has been done on the effect of silicone sheets, and silicone gels. They seal the skin well so that there is not too much moisture loss. This reduces itching, makes the scar less red, and makes the skin more supple. In addition, the scar hurts less and becomes flatter.
• Cooling the skin by blowing on the skin can help. Or wrap a cold pack (ice) in a washcloth or tea towel and gently press it onto the itchy spot.
• Distract yourself. Think about other things, watch TV, read a book, go out. Try to distract yourself so as not to (temporarily) notice the itching.