It's a pretty big wound and is becoming a scab, but what do I do to make the scar it leaves less prominent?
2007-09-03 07:47:11 · 7 answers · asked by Jaylin B 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
It sounds like it's too late for the first possibility: if a significant enough wound, it may need stiches to hold it closed.
At this point though, the most important thing is, DON'T MESS WITH IT! This can be difficult, especially if the scab is too large, or as it heals, as it can be itchy; but if you disturb the scab, it re-exposes the delicate tissues below before they're fully healed, which can increase scarring. If the scab is too big (from excess bleeding as it formed) you can dissolve some of it off with hydrogen peroxide, just be careful to leave enough to protect the wound.
Keeping the scab softer so that it is somewhat flexible, and moves with the skin, can help; commonly by using an antibiotic ointment for the first few days (not only does the antiboitic help by lessening the risk of infection, but the petroleum jelly base softens the scab), and petroleum jelly alone afterwards if needed.
Bandaids also help, as they protect the wound against further accidents, and also help keep the scab softer (soft scab protects less, so the bandaid takes part of that role).
And the general good advice for your skin, but especially effective for a skin injury: eat a healthy, well-balanced diet! That gives your skin what it needs to rebuild. And minimize sun exposure, as yes, UV damages skin, and you want to minimize further damage to that wound.
2007-09-03 08:05:08 · answer #1 · answered by Katie W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can soak the scab off with some hydrogen peroxide and water. gently cleanse the area with soap and water. watch for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, foul odor, nasty drainage. After the wound heals, use some sunscreen applied directly to the area to help minimize scarring. There is also a remedy called Mederma - not sure if it is OTC or not.
2007-09-06 23:31:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't mess with it and be careful not to let the scab get picked off.
2007-09-03 14:54:28 · answer #3 · answered by ratemylunch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cover it with some kind of bandage, and perhaps an ointment such as Neosporin. And above all, don't pick at it.
Good luck!
2007-09-03 16:14:39 · answer #4 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not pick at it and use cocoa butter and vitamin E oils
2007-09-04 07:37:12 · answer #5 · answered by Robin B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just dont pick at it!!
2007-09-03 14:55:57 · answer #6 · answered by atlantis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not touch it. At ALL!!!!!!
2007-09-03 14:49:56 · answer #7 · answered by October201996 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋