No matter how itchy your wound gets, its important not to scratch it.

When you scratch, you damage the surface of the skin.

That can slow down healing.

person itching their arm

Oscar Wong / Getty Images

How to Stop Itching

Unfortunately, itching is a normal part of the healing process.

They can help you make a plan for wound treatment and managing the itch.

In addition, a lot is going on around a wound site when your body is healing.

Your nerves interpret all that commotion as itchiness when it’s really just your body repairing itself.

Scratching can slow down healing, so try other techniques to deal with the itch, like cold compresses.

See a healthcare provider if your itching is intense or your wound becomes infected.

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