Scabs form naturally as a result of a cut, scratch, or wound on the skin. They have a protective function aimed at preventing the leakage of blood and other body fluids. They also create a natural barrier preventing the possible entry of bacteria, germs and dirt into the wound. Sometimes the scabs can itch or look unsightly. To help the wound heal, you can apply some petroleum jelly, honey, or oil to the scab, or even a food like garlic or onion. Either way, use only one product at a time rather than combining them together.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use a Hot Tablet or Salt
Step 1. Place a warm, moist compress on the crust
Moisture and heat can help make it heal faster. Dampen a clean handkerchief or gauze pad with warm water, then keep it in contact with the scab for 5-10 minutes. Repeat the treatment several times a day to keep the crust soft.
Step 2. Soak the crust in a bath prepared with water and Epsom salts
These salts are a very useful remedy for speeding up the healing of scabs and can also help ease the pain caused by the wound. Fill a basin with hot water and add 50 g of Epsom salts. Soak the part of the body where the wound is located for an hour. At the end, dry the crust gently.
Repeat the treatment 1-2 times a day until the wound begins to heal
Step 3. Keep the wound covered with non-adhesive gauze
It will serve to keep away any impurities that could cause it to become infected. If you want, you can apply a healing ointment before covering the wound with gauze to speed up healing.
Method 2 of 3: Use other home remedies
Step 1. Smear a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the crust
It can be useful for keeping it soft and for keeping bacteria out of the wound once it starts to come off. Moisture makes the scab softer and allows new skin to grow, promoting healing of both the wound and the scab.
Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the crust during the day to keep it soft. After a few days it should begin to soften and shrink or peel off on its own
Step 2. Try using honey
Its natural antibacterial properties can accelerate the healing of the wound and therefore of the scab. Choose a completely natural honey and spread a veil where needed.
The ideal is to use raw organic honey. You can find it in health food stores or online
Step 3. Use tea tree oil
It is made from an Australian plant and is an excellent natural remedy for reducing and treating scabs. It speeds up the wound healing process and helps prevent a scar from forming. Apply tea tree oil to the rind 1-2 times a day.
Tea tree oil is easy to find; you can buy it in pharmacies, herbalists, stores specializing in natural foods or online
Step 4. Use garlic
It is an effective natural ingredient for accelerating the healing of wounds and scabs because it has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Blend 2-3 cloves of garlic with 250 ml of wine, let the mixture rest for 2-3 hours and finally apply it directly on the rind using a cotton ball or a cotton swab.
Rinse the part with lukewarm water after 10-15 minutes. Be careful, if garlic makes you itchy, wash it off right away
Step 5. Use the onion
Just like garlic, onion also boasts antibacterial properties. It is useful for promoting healthy healing of wounds and scabs and also prevents infections. Blend an onion and mix it with honey. Apply the mixture to the crust and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Finally rinse with warm water.
You can repeat the onion and honey treatment up to 4 times a day
Step 6. Use baking soda
It is a mild antiseptic that can be helpful in getting rid of scabs. Mix 10 g of baking soda with 100 ml of water to make a paste with a pasty consistency. When it's ready, apply it to the scab and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Finally, rinse the skin with warm water.
You can repeat the treatment 2-3 times a week to speed up the wound healing process
Step 7. Use aloe vera
Aloe vera gel is a completely natural substance that you can spread on the scab to help the skin heal faster. Apply it to the wound and leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse the area with warm water. You can repeat the treatment 3-4 times a day.
- You can buy aloe vera gel in pharmacies, herbalists, stores specializing in the sale of natural foods or online.
- If you have an aloe vera plant in the garden or on the balcony, you can cut a leaf and extract the gel to apply it directly to the wound.
Method 3 of 3: Take Care of the Scab
Step 1. Let the crust dry
Being exposed to air it will heal faster. An environment that is too humid could promote fungal proliferation and trigger an infection. Try to alternate times when you keep it covered or damp with others when you leave it free to air dry.
Step 2. Do not detach it
When the scab forms, it is important to avoid removing it so as not to increase the risk of developing an infection or forming a scar, but also simply to avoid prolonging the healing time. Even if the temptation is strong, hold back and don't peel off the scab ahead of time. Almost certainly another one would form and the wound would take even longer to heal.
Step 3. Do not use an antiseptic product
It could kill the good bacteria on the scab and cause swelling around the wound. It may also dry out the scab, increasing the time it takes for the wound to heal.
If you want, you can use an antibiotic ointment (such as Cicatrene) to shorten the healing time
Step 4. See your doctor if the wound appears to be infected
If the skin around the scab is swollen, hot to the touch, or if there is secretion of pus or other fluids, the wound may have become infected. Show it to your doctor right away so that he can diagnose what the problem is and prescribe appropriate therapy. An infected and neglected wound can take a long time to heal, but more importantly, it can cause other health problems to arise.
