How does the body react to a skin injury?

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When skin is injured, immune cells rush to the site to remove debris, invading pathogens, and dead and damaged skin cells. A blood clot forms over the area, forming a protective scab. Skin cells manufacture new collagen and connective tissue to fill in the wound. A scar may form depending on the location and severity of the wound, how well it is cared for, and the tendency the injured person has toward scarring.

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Skin Injury

Not all skin injuries are cuts and scrapes. Heat, friction and pressure can cause skin injuries like burns, sunburn and blisters. A burn is a traumatic skin injury caused by a heat source like scalding liquid or a hot pot, a radiation source like the suns rays, an electrical source like open wiring or a chemical source like acid. Depending on the severity of the burn, treatment can include wound care and pain management, skin grafting, intravenous fluids or cosmetic surgery. Some burns can form blisters, which actually act as a protective, fluid-filled buffer for damaged skin. Blisters also form from skin conditions like eczema and friction sources like ill-fitting shoes. Keeping the area clean with antibiotics and a dressing or bandage is usually enough to heal a blister.

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How does the body react to a skin injury?

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