How to treat hypertrophic scars
Dec 24, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Unhealthy eating habits may lead to endocrine disorders in the body, which in turn can affect the skin's metabolic and repair functions. When the skin suffers an injury, severe endocrine disorders may cause excessive proliferation of fibrous connective tissue, leading to hypertrophic scar formation. Patients can visit a hospital to receive cryotherapy, which uses low-temperature freezing to destroy scar tissue and promote scar regression.
Generally speaking, scar hyperplasia refers to hypertrophic scars. Hypertrophic scars may be related to factors such as heredity, hormone levels, deep wounds or repeated surgeries, skin infections, and changes in local skin tension. Common treatments include laser therapy, cryotherapy, massage, medication, and surgery. Patients are advised to visit a hospital promptly and follow medical instructions for treatment. The analysis is as follows:
1. Heredity
Heredity factors causing hypertrophic scars are due to individuals inheriting specific skin traits or repair mechanisms, which lead to excessive collagen production during the wound healing process, forming scars that protrude from the skin surface. Laser therapy is a commonly used physical treatment method that utilizes high-energy heat to decompose scar tissue and stimulate collagen regeneration in the skin, achieving a skin-smoothing effect. Common laser treatments include carbon dioxide fractional laser and pulsed dye laser therapies.
2. Hormone Levels
Poor dietary habits may cause endocrine disorders in the body, thereby affecting the metabolism and repair functions of the skin. When the skin sustains trauma, severe endocrine disorders may lead to excessive proliferation of fibrous connective tissue, resulting in scar hyperplasia. Patients can go to the hospital for cryotherapy, which works by using low temperatures to freeze and destroy scar tissue, promoting scar regression. However, cryotherapy may cause certain damage to the skin and should be chosen carefully.
3. Deep Wounds or Repeated Surgeries
Deep wounds or repeated surgeries may cause local soft tissue damage, thereby inducing scar hyperplasia. During the healing process of deep wounds, fibrous connective tissue may proliferate excessively to fill the wound, forming hypertrophic scars.
4. Skin Infection
If proper care measures are not taken during scar recovery, localized infection may occur. Prolonged inflammation may lead to hypertrophic scarring. Patients should use medications such as clindamycin phosphate gel, fusidic acid sodium ointment, erythromycin ointment, etc., under a doctor's guidance to aid recovery.
5. Changes in Local Skin Tension
When the direction of the scar is inconsistent with the skin tension, chronic pulling may occur, which is also a factor in hypertrophic scarring. Hypertrophic scars that severely affect appearance or function can be treated with surgical excision. Surgery removes the scar tissue and uses fine suturing techniques to minimize the formation of new scars. However, medication is still required after surgical removal to prevent recurrence.
Dietary adjustments and maintaining healthy eating habits are recommended during recovery. It is advised to consume more protein- and vitamin-rich foods, such as eggs and carrots, to promote the repair and regeneration of skin tissue.
