A scab is a dry, rough protective crust that forms over a cut or wound. It can occur on any part of the body, on the nose, face, leg, and scalp among other parts. A scar is a natural part of the healing process. Here is an insight on how to get rid of scabs fast, quickly and overnight with natural remedies.
Scab forms as a mechanism of protecting your body against infection and excess loss of blood. When your skin starts to bleed from a wound, platelets gather at the wound and attempt to stop the bleeding. Calcium, vitamin K, and fibrinogen all assist in this process (clotting)
The platelets break and react with fibrinogen to form fibrin that resembles tiny threads. The fibrin threads then form a web-like mesh that traps blood cell within it. It is this mesh that will then dry to form a scab. Scabs cab also be triggered by the following:
- Having a dry skin this goes for the face, legs and on scalp
- An acne outbreak
- Bacterial and fungal infection of the skin
- Psoriasis characterized by scaly patches on skin
- Eczema and skin injuries causing bleeding and cracking of the skin
How to get rid of scabs on scalp
Scabs on scalp are in most cases caused by dry scalp. They can also be a symptom of other skin conditions such as contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis’s also known as dandruff, ringworm, shingles, and psoriasis among others.
Most scabs will disappear on their own after treating the underlying cause. There are however some effective remedies you can use to get rid of the scabs by speeding up the healing process. For chronic cases, we recommend you see your dermatologists.
Some of the remedies will include:
1. Wash with antibacterial soap
Dandruff, shingles, contact dermatitis and psoriasis are some of the common cause of scabs on scalp. Most of this can be cleared by washing your scalp with antibacterial soap. This soap is made with chemical ingredients that assist in killing bacteria.
Avoid hot water and harsh soap that might irritate your scalp and increase the urge to scratch. Breaking the scabs by scratching will prolong the healing process.
2. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an effective remedy you need to try. It is said to have powerful natural anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. When the scabs are associated with itching and inflammation, tea tree oil is the remedy you need to try.
- Prepare a mixture of tea oil and almond oil
- Use this mixture to gently massage your scalp
- Allow it to sit for 10 minutes
- If your skin starts to itch, shampoo your scalp immediately
3. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera gel is another great remedy you can use to get rid of scabs on scalp. It has soothing properties that can help relieve pain and itching. It is antiseptic thus will help protect the scabs from infection. If you have a dry scalp, Aloe Vera gel can work as a deep conditioner, it will help moisturize your scalp
4. Apple cider vinegar
Washing your scalp with apple cider vinegar is the other effective way to get rid of scab on scalp. ACV is said to be a powerful antibacterial and antifungal remedy. When used on skin, it can also help balance the pH level which will relieve dryness and itching.
- Add 2 spoons of ACV in warm water
- Mix the two then gently massage your scalp with it
- Leave it on for a few minutes then rinse it off with warm water
- You will need to do this twice a day
How to get rid of scabs on face
On face, you can use the following remedies to get rid of scabs.
5. Warm compress
A warm compress works by softening the hard flakes. As the pimple scab become soft, they reduce in size. A warm compress will also speed up the healing process by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
A warm compress on face will also help reduce itching and reduce swelling. All you need to do is soak a towel in warm water, squeeze the excess water out and hold it over the scabs for some minute.
6. Potassium alum
Potassium alum is a naturally occurring type of aluminum salt. It is often used as an astringent or a deodorant. When applied on a scab, it tightens it then loosen it from the skin. This remedy works by constricting blood vessels surrounding the scab.
- Grind some potassium alum, then mix with water to make a paste
- Apply the paste on the affected area and leave it on to dry
- Do this until the scab clears
7. Raw honey
Honey a natural antiseptic applying it on the face can will help protect the scabs from infection. It is also an antibiotic, thus it will improve the appearance of your face by speeding up the healing of cuts, and bleeding pimple on face.
- Clean your face with warm water
- Pat it dry with clean face towel then apply a fine layer of raw Manuka honey
- The best way would be to use a hydro polymer dressing
8. Vaseline
Acne pimples on face are known to scab and leave ugly scars that can be very annoying. In such case, apply a petroleum jelly like Vaseline to popped, or ruptured pimples may help them heal faster and prevent them from scarring.
- Clean and pat dry oozing pimple before applying the jelly
- Gently apply the petroleum jelly to keep a pimple moist and protected
- This will loosen the pimple making them heal faster
How to get rid of scabs in your nose quickly
To get rid of the scabs quickly, you need to avoid scratching the skin, apart from increasing the risk of an infection, it may also cause permanent scarring. Try the following remedies to quickly get rid of the scab on your nose:
9. Toothpaste
For acne scabs or those caused by a fungal infection of the skin, toothpaste or Listerine mouthwash can be used to get rid of them.
Leaving the toothpaste on skin for long can because your skin to dry out and become itchy.
10. Topical acne cream
For acne pimple scab, topical acne medication can be used to quickly get rid of them. According to WebMD, acne medication will help manage the severity and frequency of acne outbreak not only on nose but also on other parts of the body.
11. Baking soda paste
Baking soda is a mild fungicide and antiseptic remedy, when used on a scab, it gently draws the scab from the skin by tightening it. This remedy kills both fungus and bacteria that might be causing infection thus speeding up the healing process.
- Prepare a fine baking soda paste by mixing some powder with water
- Apply the paste on the nose and leave it on for some minutes
- Do this until the scab clears
How to get rid of scabs on legs
Just like on scalp and face, there are some effective remedies you can use to get rid of scabs on legs by accelerating the healing process. The most effective remedies you need to try include the following:
12. Epsom salt
On legs, an effective way to get rid of scabs will be to use Epsom salt. It is known for its great soothing and calming ability. Epsom salt can, therefore, be used to soothe the itching and calm the irritation.
- Add three spoons of Epsom salt in warm water
- Soak your legs in the water for 10 minutes
- The salt will tighten the scab while the warm water moisturizes your skin
13. Rub an onion
You can also reap the antimicrobial properties of onion by rubbing a fresh one on the scabs. Doing this will help heal the wound. You can prepare an even more effective onion remedy by pounding a fresh onion and mixing it with raw honey before applying on the scab.
14. Try garlic
Instead of an onion, you can use a fresh garlic. It is also a great antimicrobial remedy. Blend some cloves of anion, apply the paste on the scabs and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
If you have a sensitive skin, then this remedy may be irritating to your skin.
How to get rid of scabs fast
Scabs will often clear on their own, you can, however, speed up the healing at how with natural remedies. If they take longer to go away, you need to have them examined by your dermatologist as soon as possible.
To get rid of scabs fast, you will need to:
- Avoid scratching the scabs, bleeding or oozing scabs will often take long to heal. It also increases your chances of picking up an infection. this will make them itch, swell and become very painful
- Apply a gentle massage to offer relief from itching, use a petroleum jelly to reduce the irritation and the burning urge to scratch the pimples.
- When the scab or wound is occurring on face, you need to stop applying make up for a while until they are completely healed. Makeup and other cosmetic product can clog your skin pores thus inhibiting the healing process.
- Whether occurring on scalp, face, legs or any other part of the body, you need to always ensure the affected area is clean and dry. Apart from preventing an infection, keeping the scabs clean speeds up the healing process.
- When cleaning the affected area, apply a warm compress to most the scab and prevent them from drying out.
- Cove the scabs with a clean bandage to reduce the risk of infection and speed up the healing process
How to get rid of pimple scabs overnight
If you have just developed the wound or scab, there are some things you could do at home to stop infection, stop the bleeding and speed up the healing process. For a fresh wound or acne pimples scabs on face and scalp, these options can prevent the incidence of scarring.
So how do you get rid of pimple scab overnight? Well, you need to do the following:
1. Avoid scratching the scabs
Scratching or irritating pimple scabs on skin causes them to ooze and bleed. This in turns makes it hard for your body to promote healing. Ensure the scabs are dry and do not ooze.
For oozing pimples, apply a few pieces of sterile gauze over the scab. Hold it over the pimple scab until it stops oozing.
2. Ensure the scabs are clean and dry
To prevent fungal and bacterial infections of the pimple scab, you need to keep it clean and dry. Keeping it clean and dry also speeds up the healing of the scab. When occurring on face, scalp or on legs, you need to gently wash the affected area with warm water and antibiotic soap.
3. Moisten the scabs
The other thing you will need to do to heal the scab overnight it to keep them moist or dampen. After gently cleaning the affected area with warm water, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the pimple scabs. Use a mild jelly to avoid irritating the skin.
The better option would be to apply an antibacterial ointment. Together with keeping the scabs moist, the ointment will help protect the wounds from bacterial infection that can prolong the healing process, it can also cause pain, Redness and severe itching.
4. Apply a natural moisturizer or an anti-itching cream
If you have a dry skin, or the pimples are accompanied by pain, itching, and inflammation, then you could also apply an anti-itching, an anti-inflammatory or a moisturizer.
Gently apply the cream making sure you do not irritate or break the scabs.
5. Cover the scabs with a clean bandage
Now use a fresh, clean cotton bandage to cover the scabs. For clustered pimple scabs on face or leg, you could also use a sterile adhesive bandage. When the scab or wounds are large or spread over the skin, use a silicone gel sheet.
Before covering the scabs, ensure they are moist. Dry scab can be itching, irritating and will in most cases bleed or ooze. Picking or scratching the scab will prolong the healing of a scab, you need to avoid it as much as possible.
References:
- : https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/how-to-speed-up-healing/
- : https://www.enkiverywell.com/how-to-get-rid-of-scabs.html
- http://www.vaseline.us/skin-health-care/how-to-heal-scars.html