Scars come in all shapes and sizes. Mastectomy surgery, lumpectomy, lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer. We have reconstructive surgery, back surgery and abdominal surgery including c-section will all leave there mark. All wounds go through the same healing process which can be broken down into four stages.
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The immediate response which can last a few minutes or hours with the aim of forming a clot to stop the bleeding.
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The inflammatory stage which can last for several days, this stage is helping to keep the wound clean and prevent infection.
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Tissue formation (proliferation) starting a few days after injury, this stage can last for several weeks as it builds tissue to cover the wound and draw the edges together.
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The remodelling stage starts around three weeks after injury and can last months or even years. It is vital for building strength and flexibility in the tissue.
The healing process is influenced by the size and depth of the wound, infection which could mean an overlap or increase in time of the stages. What you eat, your overall health and how you look after your scar can all influence the outcome.
Scars can have discomfort and sensations for many reasons. A scar that is still healing or that has not healed properly can be painful. Sometimes there can be adhesions where the scar is sticking to underlying tissue and organs, you may feel this when you move or notice more sensation when taking a deep breath for instance. Poor healing could mean there is still inflammation, this could be caused by irritation to something or an underlying infection. Nerve damage which might be felt as sharp or shooting. Thicker scars can also be more painful. Scar tightening and pulling, you may feel this if the scar is near a joint or when moving around. Some people are even affected by the weather. Scars are very often itchy. Try not to scratch the area as this can lead to infection and inflammation which lengthen the healing process and the risk of building unhealthy scars.
See the image below for the journey of wound healing and what you would hope to see.
Did you know there are treatments available to help.
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