Whether you scrape your knee, cut yourself, or are recovering from surgery, you might experience the same annoying side effect: itching around your wound. So why does skin itch while healing? Scientists are still investigating, but it's believed that as the skin heals, it stimulates nerve cells that can leave you feeling itchy.
1. What the Science Says
To understand why wounds itch, it’s helpful to learn a bit about how wounds heal. When you’re injured, your body goes through four stages of wound recovery, which are:1
Hemostasis: This is the bleeding stage, which occurs immediately after injury. The blood flushes debris and germs from the wound, then clots to prevent unnecessary blood loss.
Inflammatory: During this stage, your immune system kicks in, releasing an array of chemicals to attack any germs at the site. The chemicals released include inflammatory proteins known as cytokines that are associated with itching.2 This stage lasts for up to two days.
Proliferation: The wound is closing and the skin is regrowing in this stage, which lasts between two days and two weeks. Often, this is when itching is most intense. Researchers believe there’s so much happening at the wound site during healing that the nerve cells become stimulated. Your brain interprets that stimulation as itchiness.3
Maturation or Remodeling: This phase begins two to three weeks after the injury and can last a year or longer. It’s when the skin becomes more mature and takes on its final appearance, often as a scar.
2. Does Scratching Slow Down Healing?
No matter how itchy your wound gets, it’s important not to scratch it. When you scratch, you damage the surface of the skin. That can slow down healing. It also puts you at risk for infection, since your fingers and nails can introduce bacteria or other germs into the wound.
You shouldn’t rub either, since that can disturb scabs, reopen wounds and undo the healing progress your body has made.4 Although itching can be annoying, you have to just let your body do its work.
3. How to Stop a Healing Wound From Itching
Unfortunately, itching is a normal part of the healing process. Luckily, there are some things you can try to stop itching, including:
- Apply a topical anti-itch cream: Ask your healthcare provider about your options.
- Use an ice pack or cold compress: This often feels soothing, but talk to your healthcare provider about it if you have a major wound.
- Moisturize: Moisturize the skin around the wound with a lotion that has no added fragrances. Talk to your healthcare provider about what might be best for you.
Besides the above methods, using Multidex topical helps speed up wound healing. Multidex powder/gel has the following ingredients: Ascorbic Acid, Maltodextrin NF1, sterile powder, ... Maltodextrin can form a film, firmly adhere to the subcutaneous granulation tissue layer, preventing the evaporation of water into the environment and creating goods. barrier against the entry of pathogens. Additionally, Maltodextrin hydrolyzes to glucose, providing a local source of nutrients and promoting natural healing. Ascorbic acid is an adjuvant that increases the healing effect (thanks to its role in promoting collagen synthesis, antioxidant, preventing the formation of free radicals, improving the body's immunity).