– What You Need to Know
Scarring is the part that comes with healing after an injury. The appearance, as well as the treatment of the star, depends on different factors. These include depth, size, nature, and location of the injury. Other factors include age, gender, genes, and ethnicity. There are several types of scarring, with some having prevalence rates up to 72%.
These are some factors involved:
- Event or the injury that caused scar formation that includes a burn, severe acne, and surgery
- Location, severity, and size of the injury
The Signs and Symptoms of Scarring
As a scar develops on the skin, it is usually red or pinkish in color. With time, the scar becomes darker or lighter. In some cases, these scars may cause itching and are painful or tender to touch.
The Causes of Scarring
Scars are included in the body’s healing part. The skin is a part of your immune system, which acts as a barrier against microbes and other foreign agents. As the skin gets injured, your body produces renewed tissues composed of collagen that help in the resealing process.
Collagen helps in playing a big role in your body that includes the formation of cartilage for protecting your bones and plumping your skin. As a scar gets developed, the collagen fibers help to repair the skin that is damaged and close any area that is open. What’s more, the new tissue helps in the protection against infection.
The Treatment Options for Scarring
Treatment of scars varies depending on the factors that are discussed above. These normally include ointments, laser treatments, steroid injections, silicone sheets, and even surgical interventions. In some cases, cryotherapy, which is a freezing treatment using nitrogen in the liquid form, is used. You are also able to prevent the formation of the scars with silicone gel pads and pressure treatments. Some people may have more apparent scars as they have darker skins. In this case, a healthcare professional may give you a skin-lightening topical cream mixed with hydroquinone for lightening the scars. In some cases, corticosteroid creams are also applied.
Treatments include surgery to remove the scar, steroid injections, or silicone sheets to flatten the scar. Smaller keloids can be treated using cryotherapy (freezing therapy using liquid nitrogen). You can also prevent keloid formation by using pressure treatment or gel pads with silicone when you are injured. Keloid scars are most common among people with dark skin.
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, telemedicine makes it possible for you to get the care you deserve. Schedule a virtual consultation with a Telakai Health online Provider and get on the road to recovery. Schedule your visit today.