From the Guidelines
Scabs should not be removed from wounds as they are an important part of the natural healing process, and removing them prematurely can disrupt healing and increase the risk of infection and scarring. The body will naturally shed the scab when the skin underneath has sufficiently healed. Instead of removing scabs, focus on proper wound care by gently cleaning the area with mild soap and water, applying an appropriate antibiotic ointment like Neosporin if needed, and covering with a clean bandage that you change regularly.
Key Points to Consider
- Debridement, which involves the removal of dead and devitalized tissue from wounds, is a recommended intervention to promote wound healing, but it should be performed by a healthcare professional and not by removing scabs prematurely 1.
- The goal of debridement is to create a clean wound bed and promote wound healing, but it should be done in a controlled and sterile environment to minimize the risk of infection 1.
- Topical antimicrobial or antiseptic dressings are not recommended for wound healing of diabetes-related foot ulcers, as the evidence to support their use is inconsistent and of low certainty 1.
- Proper wound care, including gentle cleaning, application of antibiotic ointment, and covering with a clean bandage, can help promote wound healing and prevent infection 1.
Recommendations for Wound Care
- Keep the wound clean and moist initially to promote healing
- Apply an appropriate antibiotic ointment like Neosporin if needed
- Cover the wound with a clean bandage and change it regularly
- Avoid removing scabs prematurely, as this can disrupt the healing process and increase the risk of infection and scarring
- Seek medical attention promptly if the wound appears infected or if you develop a fever.
From the Research
Scab Removal and Wound Healing
- The process of scab removal is a topic of interest in wound care, with some studies suggesting that removing scabs can promote better healing 2.
- A study published in 2015 found that treating buttonhole entry sites with a moist healing step and then rubbing the sites with a microfiber towel during bathing can remove scabs without injuring the skin 2.
- However, other studies have focused on the use of topical antibiotics and wound dressings to prevent infections and promote healing, rather than scab removal specifically 3, 4, 5.
- The use of topical antibiotics has been shown to result in significantly lower infection rates than the use of a petrolatum control 3.
- Wound dressings loaded with antimicrobial agents, such as essential oils and honey, have also emerged as viable options to reduce wound bacterial colonization and infection 4.
Challenges in Wound Care
- Chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, are a challenge to wound care professionals and consume a great deal of healthcare resources 6.
- Overcoming the factors that contribute to delayed healing is key to a comprehensive approach to wound care, and selection of an appropriate therapy is often not evidence-based 6.
- A better understanding of the differences between various types of chronic wounds at the molecular and cellular levels is needed to improve treatment approaches and develop new, more effective therapies 6.
Wound Infection and Healing
- The rate of wound healing and bacterial growth can be affected by the use of topical antibiotics, wound protectants, and antiseptics 5.
- A study published in 1987 found that contaminated blister wounds treated with a triple antibiotic ointment healed significantly faster than wounds treated with any antiseptic and those receiving no treatment 5.
- The overall clinical appearance and healing rates of wounds treated with the triple antibiotic were ranked superior to all treatments (and no treatment) except the other antibiotic ointment in the study 5.