What are scabs and how long do they take to heal?

Published: October 2020

Last Reviewed: April 2025

Scabs are a common occurrence in the wound healing process. They are there to protect your wounds from any bacteria entering your wound and to protect from any further blood loss. However, scabs are not always good for the skin to develop as they can delay the wound healing process and potentially cause noticeable scars. It is best practice to care for your wounds prior to scabs developing in a dry environment.

Scabs are the protective layers of tissue that form at the start of the healing process after an area of skin is damaged from injuries such as a cut, graze, or scratch. 

The primary purpose of a scab is to protect the wound from bacteria and prevent it from being infected. However, this is not considered optimal healing of a wound and a plaster should be used to enable moist wound healing.

Scabs should not be picked as they protect your wound. If you pick or pull at the scab it would only lengthen the healing process and can lead to the development of a scar. Prematurely removing a scab means you’re disrupting the natural healing process of the skin and removing the newly formed skin tissue that grows underneath the scab.

Peeling a scab prematurely could cause bleeding and would only lead to a new scab, which can also mean the skin underneath is exposed to bacteria and germs whilst it’s forming. This can also cause infection.

Scabs will typically fall off naturally over a period of time that ranges from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the wound. You can help speed up the healing process by keeping the skin clean, moist and then covered with a plaster or bandage.

Scabs can vary in colour, depending on the moisture of the scab or if it has become infected. Typically, a scab will be dark red or brown in colour. 

• Yellow scabs: A scab can be yellow in colour if the wound has serous drainage. Serous fluid or serous exudate is a yellow, transparent liquid that aids the wound's healing process. However, a scab could also be yellowish in colour if the wound is infected.
• Green scabs: This typically indicates that the wound has become infected. As such, one of the characteristics of a green scab could be that yellow or green pus can build up and ooze out under the scab which then changes the colour. Other symptoms can include redness, skin discolouration and pain.
• White scabs: Moisture can cause the scab to turn white, and this often occurs when the scab is exposed to water, such as bathing or showering.

Whilst healing, it is common and normal for a scab to itch, as it is part of the natural healing process. Following an injury to a wound, the body naturally releases certain cells like histamine, which tends to result in itchiness and inflammation in the scab. Itching the scab should always be avoided, if possible, to ensure proper healing of the wound and to limit the risk of infection.

You should try to avoid developing scabs in the first place because they delay the healing process for your skin by disturbing the regeneration of new skin tissue. Scabs can be prevented when a wound is cared for in a moist wound healing environment. 

First, clean the wound in order to reduce the risk of infection. Once the wound has been cleaned, apply the Elastoplast Wound Spray to cleanse the wound further. The Wound Spray is an antiseptic spray that is fast-acting and pain-free to ensure the prevention of infection.

Apply Wound Healing Ointment to the wound to speed up the natural healing of minor wounds before they become scabs. The Wound Healing Ointment creates a breathable film that protects the wound from external influences while preventing the wound from drying out. The ointment can be combined with Fabric, Sensitive and Water-Resistant plasters.

Protecting your wound with a hydrocolloid plaster like Second Skin Advanced Plaster will prevent scabs from forming, reducing the likelihood of the wound causing a scar and allowing your skin to heal flawlessly. The Aqua Protect Kids plaster is also 100% waterproof, which means you can bath, shower or swim without having to replace the plaster.

You should always try and tend to your wound before the scabbing process begins. Scabs are a natural part of healing but can delay the process, especially if the scab becomes infected along the way. The best way to treat a wound is before it begins to scab over and potentially result in a scar. Learn more about wound healing.

Scabs are primarily formed to protect your wound against blood loss and infection. Blood clot cells (platelets) start to clot in order to prevent any more blood or fluids from leaving the body. As the blood on the wound begins to dry it creates the crusty scab layer over the wound. Scabs can form as a result of:

• Acne
• bacterial infection
• Bug bites
• Chickenpox
• cuts, grazes and scratches.
• Cysts
• Eczema
• Folliculitis
• fungal infection
• Herpes
• Impetigo
• Infected scalp injury
• Psoriasis
• Seborrheic dermatitis
  
   

Scabs on the scalp can largely be treated in the same manner as scabs anywhere else on the body. In some cases they can be a symptom of a separate condition that may require further treatment, such as:

• Scalp psoriasis is an infection that develops symptoms of itching or flakiness on patches of skin that looks like dandruff. Scratching the affected areas can cause scabs on the scalp and lead to symptoms such as severe hair loss.
• Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that occurs when an irritant substance comes into direct contact with a person’s skin. Blistered scalp skin can be a symptom of contact dermatitis which can also lead to scabs on the scalp.
• Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles that can cause pimples or sores from shaving. They can also lead to scabbing and scarring if picked.
• Seborrheic dermatitis is a common condition that causes red, itchy, and flaky skin. This rash often occurs on the scalp or near the hairline and could cause scabbing if itched excessively.
  
   
  
  
   

An infected scab differs in looks from a basic scab because it is more yellow in colour, with the surrounding area becoming swollen or inflamed. Other symptoms of an infected scab are: severe redness around the wound, leakage of fluids, increased levels of pain, a discomforting odour or a fever and chills. 

Yellow scabbing can also imply that you may have impetigo, which can commonly be caused by bacterial infection. Impetigo can spread around the body, to other people and lead to fevers. It is advised to see a doctor if you feel unwell with a wound that you suspect is heavily infected.

Always see a doctor if the wound is deep, bleeds heavily or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.

Please note that, although these were compiled with great care, the tips and advice given on this website by no means substitute medical advice and treatment. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult a doctor and follow medical advice regardless of what you have learned on this website.

Always read carefully and follow the instructions for use or the product leaflets. For further information about our products, please contact us via email at ConsumerRelationsUK@Beiersdorf.com.