Why Do Wounds Itch When They Are Healing

If you've ever felt that irritating urge to scratch a cut, you may have wondered just why do wounds itch when they are healing. Perhaps you haven't even put the two together, but it's true: Wounds do itch as they heal.

Healing wounds can feel uncomfortable.

It starts in childhood, when you're running around the neighborhood with your friends, trip suddenly and end up with a nasty cut on your knee. Later in life you may experience the usual pratfalls that accompany everyday activities; perhaps you burn yourself on the oven, scrape your shin with a sharp object or cut yourself accidentally. In any case, the end result has always been the same: a nasty wound.

Wounds are usually harmless enough. They are the body's natural response to an injury, usually accompanied by bleeding that occurs when the blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin are torn. Eventually the bleeding stops and a scan forms over the injury site. Scabs, too, are quite familiar to everyone from children to adults; they're the hard, crusty bits that serve to actually protect wounds from infection and allow new skin to regenerate without disturbance. When the wound finally heals completely, the scan falls off on its own. Depending on the severity of the wound, this may take as long as two weeks.

Of course, playing with a wound can be quite irresistible to some. The allure of picking at a somewhat foreign substance on the body – in this case, the scab – is often unavoidable for children. Even adults may find themselves poking or picking away at the wound, without actually thinking about their actions. Another reason it can be tempting to touch is because the wound may itch while it is healing. As with any type of itch, the desire to scratch the sensation away is usually so great that it can't be avoided. The next thing you know, your fingers are gently scratching the skin around the wound in an attempt to relieve the annoying discomfort.

As with all injuries, though, the key to successful wound healing is to avoid touching, picking, poking and scratching. This can be challenging when the itchiness starts to feel unbearable, but there are a few things you can do to alleviate the sensation.

There are numerous theories about it, but it's generally agreed upon that a wound itches when histamine is released by the cells in response to physical trauma and the introduction of some type of bacteria. Histamine is a substance produced by the body that can cause an allergic type of reaction when it is released; this explains the itchy skin one might experience when dealing with a wound.

Just how the process is triggered is a more scientific explanation. When the skin's nerve endings are stimulated enough to itch, the sensation is transmitted to the body's C-fibers. The fibers, in turn, respond to the sensation by essentially "delivering" the itch to the skin surrounding the nerve endings. The result is an itchy, uncomfortable wound.

You're likely tempted to scratch that wound when it starts to itch, which leads us to the quandary of what to do when the wound is itching – and how to determine if it's actually healing at all. As time passes, your wound transitions from its fresh state to its healing state. During this period, you will likely experience an itchy sensation that might best be attributed to the occurrence of new skin. Bear in mind that scabs are dry and rough, and when partnered with the development of new skin, they can be the stimulus that causes the itch you feel as the wound begins to heal.

It's interesting to note that even medical professionals can't say exactly why do wounds itch when they are healing. There has been plenty of speculation on the subject; some suggest that the act of scratching is a mechanism that may remove parasites or even remove histamine from the area. Of course, none of these theories are proven, but one thing is for certain: Itching is usually far easier to treat than pain.

You're stuck with an itchy mess, but at best, you can rest assured knowing that your wound is on its way to healing. While you wait, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the discomfort.

• When you are first injured, apply a topical antibiotic cream such as Neosporin. This may help reduce the healing time and prevent large scabs from forming, which in turn will reduce the amount of itching you would otherwise suffer.

• Keep your wound covered. A bandage will suffice for smaller wounds; gauze is appropriate for larger ones. This will help keep the area clean and prevent bacteria from entering the open wound. Of course, be sure to change the bandage or dressing daily.

• Over-the-counter anti-itch products may also come in handy. At best, it's helpful to store such an item in your medicine cabinet for first aid purposes. Burt's Bees Doctor Burt's Res-Q Ointment is a soothing, comforting emollient that instantly calms the skin and nourishes it with healthful ingredients, like olive oil and vitamin E. It's also packaged in a small tin for on-the-go convenience.

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