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Everyone must have been hurt. Whether it's a small cut, laceration or even a post-operative wound. In addition to causing pain, often the wound will cause itching. Not infrequently, for those of you who are impatient and irritated, will end up scratching the wound.
Where the wound is scratched, it will make the dry skin layer open again and slow the healing process. Then, the myth that circulates, the condition of the itchy wound indicates that the wound will heal in the future. Is it true that the itchy wound indicates that you want to heal? Check out the following facts.
If it itches, don't scratch it
Itching can be caused by various things. Whether it's because of inflammation due to exposure to foreign substances, or even allergens (allergens). Then, when you feel itchy, you will instantly scratch it. At first, the itching will disappear and feel comfortable. But a few moments later, you will feel pain in the previously itchy spot due to scratching.
Now, because of the pain, the body naturally releases serotonin. The goal is to reduce the pain you feel. However, not only regulates pain, serotonin also provides a feeling of "satisfaction" when scratching. So, the more serotonin the pain produces, the more likely you will feel to scratch.
The itching can further irritate a scratch or wound, remove growing tissue, slow down the healing process and worsen scar tissue. In addition, scratching the wound can cause harmful bacteria on your hands to transfer to the wound, which can lead to a higher risk of infection.
Is it true that the itchy wound is a sign that it wants to heal?
Itching during the wound healing process is normal and common. In general, the itching in this case will subside on its own. If the itching doesn't go away on its own, you may have keloid sores or hypertrophic sores.
Usually the itching sensation on the scar occurs as a result of physical stimulation, chemical stimulation, and also nerve regeneration or repair processes. Some examples of physical stimuli can take the form of mechanical, electrical, or thermal stimuli.
The chemical stimulation that causes itching of the wound may be due to histamine. Histamine is common in keloid wounds and hypertrophic wounds and this occurs together with the formation of new collagen tissue.
On the other hand, nerve regeneration occurs in all wound healing processes. During this nerve regeneration, there are nerve fibers that have a thin myelin sheath and C nerve fibers that don't have a sheath. The amount of the two is not balanced, which can increase the itching sensation. All of the above factors contribute to the itching sensation of the wound while it heals.
Some of the therapies that can be given to reduce itching are moisturizers, anti-inflammatory drugs such as topical corticosteroids that can be applied directly to the itchy area, interferon, topical retinoid acid, and silicone gel in sheet or cream form.
