PRICKS AND SCARS
A prick is a condition where there is the entry of a pointed foreign body particle (stone, thorn, glass, etc.) into the skin, giving rise to a pricking pain with bleeding and inflammation. A "scar" is a mark on the skin that is a result of the body's healing process in response to an injury (which is usually penetrating in nature), in which the normal structures are permanently replaced by fibrous tissue. In certain people there is a tendency for excessive formation of scar tissue, leading to formation of either "hypertrophic scars or keloids", which are not very pleasant to look at. In cases of a prick, first remove the pointed particle, if it is still present and then wash the part with soap and cold water. Also in cases of a scab, it is important to ask the patient not to keep picking at the scab formed after the injury or else the scar would be deeper and more prominent.
HOME REMEDIES
1. Massaging the scar area with vitamin E oil can help reduce the scar mark.
2. Vitamin C speeds up the healing process and so food items rich in this vitamin should be taken during this period.
3. A mixture of quicklime and turmeric has antiseptic properties and so the mixture helps to disintegrate any speck of the foreign body that may be left inside the injured part.
4. In case of a glass splinter not completely removed from the skin, apply a paste of potato and ginger over the spot or press tobacco dust and then dress the spot. This should be done repeatedly for a few times and then the speck usually comes out successfully.
5. Rub cocoa butter on the scar tissue twice daily.
6. For healthy scar formation, increase the protein and zinc intake in the diet by taking in more of fish, lean meat, low-fat dairy products, soyabeans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, whole-grain breads etc.
