Irritating Scars

Scar tissue forms when a cut or wound to the skin occurs, and is a normal part of the body’s healing process. Visually, scars can take on many different forms. They are commonly shades of pink, red, purple or silver and can be lighter or darker than the skin that surrounds it, depending on the injury and how the scar has healed. Part of the natural healing process may be itchiness to the area of the wound, and this is perfectly normal, however in some cases irritation (itchiness, or localised pain) can continue beyond this time for months, or even years.

This will usually happen because the scar tissue is not quite as elastic as the skin, as collagen in scar tissue grows in only one direction as opposed to healthy skin which grows in multiple directions; meaning that healthy skin is better able to stretch. Therefore, you may experience tightness or limitations with regard to movement as a result.

There are a number of other common reasons that may be associated with scar irritation, such as when nerve damage has occurred as a result of the injury or if a deep wound has affected nerves or tendons. In this case, you may also be experiencing anything from pain to numbness or tingling in the damaged area.

Less frequently, some people may report scar tissue pain as a result of fibrosis. Fibrosis occurs when an excessive amount of scar tissue is produced during healing. This can cause longer term problems such as inflammation or in extreme cases can affect the function of the tissue or joint. It is the cells that form during scar tissue growth (fibroblasts) that cause fibrosis. If these cells do not clear over time, then long term inflammation may occur as a result. If you have an irritating scar, speak with the team at Reshape & Restore and we will determine the cause of your scar irritation, and help you with the right steps so you can move forward more comfortably, with minimal discomfort from your scar.