Scabs are formations on the skin that occur after popping a pimple or scratching a wound. The scab forms a crust on the wound or cut to help it heal faster. The scab performs the dual function of protecting the injured skin from outside germs, and healing the skin from the inside.
Stubborn scabs that do not heal or go away easily can be nuisance to deal with. They can become itchy and tempting to pick on. To heal scabs fast, you can follow some simple home remedies and tricks.
Avoid Picking Scabs on Face
The best way to make unsightly scabs heal fast is to avoid picking them. While it can be very inviting, picking scabs will only prevent them from healing fast. The popping or squeezing action on zits tears the skin and causes it to bleed. It also slows down the healing process considerably.
The scab acts as a temporary skin on the pimple and prevents the wound from getting infected by external bacteria. To let scabs heal faster you need to leave them in place or the wound will reopen.
You should also know that the skin takes time to heal. As such, letting skin scabs heal properly also needs some time.
Apply Some Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains many antiseptic features. This makes it a suitable remedy to heal scabs faster. An application of tea tree oil can help prevent bacterial infections on wounds, cuts and bruises. To heal scabs faster with tea tree oil, here is what you will need to do:
- Clean the skin to be treated thoroughly.
- Use a cotton bud or cotton pad and dampen it with some tea tree oil.
- Apply directly onto the pimple or wound.
- Take care not to apply too much pressure or the skin will break.
- Repeat once or two times every day.
When using tea tree oil, it is important to use 100% pure oil and not other products containing the oil. For sensitive skin, dilute the oil in a few drops of water or aloe vera gel and use as a spot treatment.
Use a Warm Compress
Another home remedy to help scabs heal faster is to apply a warm compress to the affected skin. When applied, the moisture from the compress can help soften skin and loosen the scab.
A compress can also moisturize the area and increase blood supply beneath the skin. Better circulation can also help wounds heal faster. To use a warm compress do the following:
- Take a clean washcloth.
- Soak in warm water and rinse out excess liquid.
- Apply the dampened washcloth to the affected skin to relieve itch and loosen the scab crust.
- Keep washcloth in place for 5 minutes.
- Repeat two times every day to heal scabs faster.
Apply Honey to Speed up Healing
The benefits of honey are not restricted to its great taste alone. Instead, honey is also a natural antiseptic. It has a lot of potential to heal skin wounds, cuts, abrasions and zits quickly. When applied, honey forms a protective coating on the skin and prevents the pimple or boil from bacterial invasion. It also has a moisturizing quality that prevents the scab from becoming itchy.
To use honey as a remedy to heal scabs fast, follow this procedure:
- Wash face thoroughly.
- Pat dry skin to remove excess water and moisture.
- Apply honey directly to problem areas.
- Top with a hydro polymer dressing.
The dressing helps absorb any discharge emitted by the wound. You can help scabs heal faster by keeping the affected rea clean.
Use Aloe Vera to Treat Scabs
Aloe vera is used extensively for treating cuts, bruises and even sunburns. You can also use it to heal scabs faster. The gel from the aloe plant has a moisturizing and cooling effect. It can help soothe the discomfort of itching and scratching inflamed skin. An application of aloe vera gel to pimples and zits my also prevent unattractive scabs from forming.
To use an aloe vera treatment, you will need to do this:
- Extract the gel directly from an aloe vera leaf.
- Apply a thick coat over the scab.
- Let gel sit on skin for a few hours.
- Or leave overnight to heal scabs fast.
Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment
Apple cider vinegar is a well-known treatment for many different kinds of health problems. One of its uses is its potential to heal broken skin. It has the ability to regulate the skin’s pH balance and promote cell growth.
The nutrients found in apple cider vinegar can heal scabs fast and treat other skin irritations. Continuous use has also been observed to lower the severity of acne and promote cell regeneration to prevent scarring.
To use apple cider vinegar to heal scabs fast, follow the given remedy:
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- Cotton bud
Prepare the mixture by stirring together apple cider vinegar and water. Dip the cotton bud in the mixture and apply it directly to the scabs. Let the vinegar mixture sit on the scabs for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Repeat treatment two times daily until the scab falls off.
Garlic Remedy for Removing Scabs
Garlic is full of antimicrobial features making it an ideal remedy for bacteria related problems. Scabs also form to protect the skin from bacterial invasion, so it is no wonder that an application of garlic can help.
To heal scabs faster, squeeze some garlic juice and apply it directly to the affected skin. Allow the juice to dry completely before rinsing it off. Repeat a couple of times daily for quick recovery.
If you have sensitive skin, you may not be able to tolerate an application of garlic juice well. In this case, try some other home remedy instead. Maybe a more gentle remedy like aloe vera will work better for you.
Baking Soda Remedy to Heal Scabs Fast
Baking soda is a mild fungicide and antiseptic. This means that it can kill any bacteria found at the site of the wound. It works by drawing the scab gently from the skin by tightening. To use baking soda to treat skin scabs, follow this remedy:
- Mix a small amount of baking soda and sodium bicarbonate with enough water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to the scabs.
- Let dry completely.
- Repeat this process until the scab disappears.
Have a Go at Calendula Gel or Oil
Calendula gel works in a manner similar to aloe vera gel. It dries on the skin and forms a protective layer over the scab. An application of calendula gel can help reduce the redness of the scab, and heal cuts, abrasions and acne.
Calendula oil is anti-microbial, antiseptic and comes with anti-inflammatory properties. The healing properties of calendula oil can speed up the treatment of scars and blemishes. It has a moisturizing effect on the skin and does not dry skin out. This makes calendula oil particularly effective in softening the scab and preventing scarring.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has the ability to yield a calming effect to the skin when applied topically. While not a salt at all, Epsom salt is a naturally occurring pure mineral compound. It contains magnesium and sulfate, both of which are readily absorbed through the skin.
The magnesium, when absorbed, helps reduce inflammation in the surrounding skin. The sulfate, on the other hand, improves absorption of nutrients essential to speed up healing.
An Epsom salt bath can help relieve the discomfort and itchiness associated with scab formation.
To prepare an Epsom salt bath, use 1-2 cups of Epsom salt in a standard bathtub, filled with warm water. Take care to keep the water temperature at a comfortable warm and not too hot.
Soak in this bath for 15-20 minutes to soften the scabs and help them heal faster. Make sure to keep the scabs in the bathwater the whole time. Repeat daily until scabs get removed.
Potassium Alum
Alum is a colorless chemical compound that contains potassium sulfate. It resembles a crystal in structure and is soluble in water. It is often used as an astringent and is beneficial for treating minor bruises and cuts.
Using potassium alum to heal scabs fast is an effective remedy to seek relief from the discomfort of itchy skin. Alum is a healing agent that can assist with treating pimple or acne scars naturally. When applied topically, it can tighten skin and help it heal faster.
Practice Precaution to Heal Scabs Fast
Now that you have some home remedies to try and heal scabs faster, you also need to know what not to do. Here are some tips on how to handle scabs after they form.
Avoid Picking on Scabs
Itchy scabs can make it very hard to not pick on them. But before you do so, remember that scabs themselves protect the wound and prevent it from getting infected further. In fact, unsightly as they may be, they have a purpose to their formation.
Scabs are the first line of defense against foreign invasion to the site of the broken skin. Picking a scab will only open the wound or pimple and permit bacteria to enter the site.
Do Not Aggravate the Inflammation
Popping pimples and zits that result in scab formation can become red, swollen and downright painful. While ugly on the outside, the affected spot becomes inflamed on the inside.
When your skin gets damaged by the popping or squeezing action, it starts its own healing process. As this happens the body sends white blood cells to the injured area quickly. This rapid motion causes a surge of blood and inflammation at the site of the wound.
When you see or feel the discomfort of inflammation, immediately put some ice on the affected spot. Wrap the ice in a soft towel and place on the open wound. This will reduce the swelling and associated inflammation.
Do Not Use Make Up on Skin with Scabs
To help scabs heal faster, avoid using any makeup products on the affected skin. When you apply makeup of any sort on the skin, it forms a layer on the skin’s surface. This layer clogs the skin’s surface and does not allow the skin to breathe naturally.
This action can make the healing process much longer than needed and make skin more prone to irritation.
Do Not Treat Affected Skin Harshly
Harsh rubbing or wiping skin that has scabs is a bad idea. This rigorous action can cause damaged skin to tear and the scab to be pulled off before it heals completely.
When you so wash scab affected skin, make sure to pat dry the skin or let it air dry instead.
Do Not Leave Open Skin Unattended
Popping and squeezing pimples can leave a tear in the skin which needs to be mended soon. If skin remains untreated, more bacteria can infect the site and prolong the healing process.
So try to treat an open wound as soon as possible. You can do this by keeping the skin sanitized and applying an antibiotic ointment. When using any application to treat the pimple, make sure to apply it directly to the site of the wound. Do not spread the ointment to the surrounding skin as it can clog up pores and stop the skin from breathing.
Apply the antibiotic cream onto the affected spot for healing scabs fast and preventing any infection.
The key to letting scabs heal fast is to keep the area clean and well moisturized. This will help in promoting the healing that is going on under the skin.
Keep the Wound Clean
Once a pimple or zit gets popped, it becomes very important to keep the skin around it clean. Keeping the wound clean will prevent the spread of bacteria which was trapped within it.
To do this use your facial cleanser to cleanse the area gently. You can hope to speed up the healing process by keeping the area clean and dry.
