Understanding Scabs: Healing, Protection & Reducing Appearance

A scab may look unappealing, but its purpose is to protect against microscopic organisms such as bacteria and viruses from entering a wound. To prevent this, during the healing of your wound, new skin cells will form, and white blood cells will remain in the area to help fight against germs. With time, the scab will fall off, and a new skin layer will appear. It is possible to reduce the appearance of a scab by keeping it moisturized.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Small towel
• Vaseline

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Instructions

• 1

  Pour clean warm water over your scab.

• 2

  Dampen a small with warm water. Place it over your scab for about 10 minutes. This will help speed up the healing process.

• 3

  Remove the towel from your scab and let the scab dry for 5 minutes.

• 4

  Apply a dab of Vaseline lightly on your scab, using your fingers. Your fingers must be clean before doing this step. Vaseline will keep the scab from drying and help prevent it from itching.

• 5

  Leave the scab alone. Eventually, it will reduce in size and fall off.