Scar

As scar (Latin cicatrix ) of the skin is a low-grade, high-fiber replacement tissue (fibrosis ) denotes that represents a final stage of wound healing after destruction of the collagen network. In scars, the collagen is not more complex intertwined, but arranged in parallel. Skin appendages such as sebaceous or sweat glands are absent.

In traumatic and other types of lesions with transection or loss of tissue, the wound is initially closed by a Fibrinkoagel, in the wake inflammatory cells are recruited. It then forms a granulation tissue, which is eventually replaced by collagen- rich connective tissue that tightens in the further course of healing. In addition, there is a re-epithelization of the skin surface.

Skin

Superficial lesions of the epidermis heal without consequence in terms of a " restitutio ad integrum " from. A scar results from injury to the skin only when the dermis was injured. Because the scar tissue is subjected at the start of many more blood vessels ( angiogenesis), it exhibits a red color. With the further reconstruction of the blood vessels regress, while the proportion of collagen fibers increases. On the one hand increases the tensile strength of the scar, on the other hand, it is now brighter than the surrounding tissue, because scar tissue in the melanocytes ( at least at first, but possibly permanently ) are missing. Despite the many collagen fibers, however, provides a scar an inferior tissue dar. under heavy loads in later life can incisional hernias arise.

While melanocytes are able to migrate again, playing remnants of hair follicles, sebaceous or sweat glands with their epithelial initially an important role in re-epithelialization of the skin surface. Are these radicals set, they are not re- formed and are missing in the result in a scar permanently.

Special forms are the keloid and hypertrophic scar.

Scars of other organs

Even with damage to other organs whose gewebstypischen dead cells are replaced by scar tissue a. After a heart attack, the heart muscle cells die. The size of the resultant scar causes a limited pumping capacity of the heart and can lead to heart rhythm disturbances. After a pyelonephritis may lead to permanent scarring in the kidneys, if treated too late medication. Renal scars can cause high blood pressure.

Scar treatment

A good supply of the wound during wound healing can positively influence the scarring in terms of appearance and functionality, but it does not completely prevent it.

A scar treatment, the scars would eliminate entirely, is still not possible. However, present, excessive scars can be improved by scar mobilization or invasive procedures (such as laser surgery, dermabrasion or nitrogen freezing ); but there are the operational procedures risks of scar formation.

Scars can also be treated by month-long, daily repeated massaging special scar creams ( for example, silicone-containing gels or a combination of heparin, allantoin and onion extract ); while the effectiveness of heparin -containing Narbengele is also used ultrasound to support. Scars patch ( in particular silicone pads, especially in hypertrophic scars, or tapes with micro pores) are of reducing Narbenwülsten and burns used. To effect this method, there are conflicting results.

For large lesions ( such as burns ) are compression bandages to be worn for months or years, employed.