What Causes Hypertrophic Scars?

What Causes Hypertrophic Scars

The scars that are red and raised on the skin are hypertrophic scars. These are caused by the naturally healing process of the body after any surgery or injuries. They are usually formed within the boundaries of the injury and do not spread around the area. Understanding what causes hypertrophic scars can help in managing and possibly preventing their formation. In this blog, we will explore those causes and help to prevent hypertrophic scars. 

1. Excessive Collagen Production 

The main reason for the raised scars is the excessive collagen production. Collagen is produced when the healing process of the body gets activated and tries to repair the wound. However, it happens that collagen is overproduced and raised scars are formed. This imbalance often results from an overactive healing response, which can be triggered by various factors, including genetic predisposition.

2. Infection in  Wound

If the wound is infected due to any reason, it slows down the normal healing process, which may cause the skin to respond by generating more collagen to repair the tissue damage. This reaction results in the formation of raised scars. 

3. Wound Tension and Location 

Wounds located on areas of the body that undergo frequent movement, such as joints (elbows, knees), shoulders, or areas of skin under tension (like the chest or back), are more prone to hypertrophic scarring. Movement makes the wounds' healing disturbed, and overproduction of collagen is triggered. 

4. Genetic Reasons

Many patients who have a family history of abnormal scar formation may have a higher risk of developing hypertrophic scars. Additionally, people with darker skin tones, such as African, Hispanic, and Asian ethnicities, are more likely to develop hypertrophic and keloid scars than those with lighter skin. 

5. Burns or Big Injuries 

Severe injuries like burns often lead to the formation of hypertrophic scars. Burns give rise to a more intense healing system of the body, which again increases the collagen production, giving rise to those raised scars. 

6. Prolonged Healing Time 

When the healing process is delayed due to reasons like infection, poor blood flow, or underlying health conditions like diabetes. When healing is prolonged, the body continues to produce collagen for a more extended period, increasing the risk of raised scarring.

How to Prevent the Formation of Hypertrophic Scars 

Preventing hypertrophic scars can be done by following the steps:  

• A proper wound care by keeping it clean.
• Avoiding unnecessary tension in the area can promote healthy healing. 
• Silicone sheets and pressure garments are sometimes recommended to flatten and minimize scar formation. 
• For existing hypertrophic scars, treatments like corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, and silicone gel applications can help reduce the scar's appearance. 
• Consult a dermatologist or healthcare provider to provide you with personalized advice on managing hypertrophic scars effectively.

Bottom Line

The hypertrophic scars are the most common scars formed by excessive collagen production. These are red and raised scars on the skin, which may be caused by genetic issues, prolonged healing processes, wound tension, and the location of scars. Keep the wound clean and consult with your doctor to find out ways to prevent the formation of scars. 

GBP Post 

The hypertrophic scars are red and raised scars that are formed after any surgery or injury in the body. Scars are the normal healing response of the body. The reasons could be: 

1. Excessive Collagen Production: Collagen is overproduced, and raised scars are formed. This imbalance often results from an overactive healing response.
2. Infection in Wound: If the wound is infected due to any reason, it slows down the normal healing process.
3. Wound Tension and Location: Wounds located on areas of the body that undergo frequent movement, such as joints (elbows, knees), shoulders, or areas of skin under tension (like the chest or back), are more prone to hypertrophic scarring. 
4. Genetic Reasons: Many patients who have a family history of abnormal scar formation may have a higher risk of developing hypertrophic scars. 
5. Burns or Big Injuries: Burns give rise to a more intense healing system of the body, which again increases the collagen production, giving rise to those raised scars. 
6. Prolonged Healing Time: When the healing process is delayed due to reasons like infection, poor blood flow, or underlying health conditions like diabetes. 

Consult a dermatologist or healthcare provider to provide you with personalized advice on managing hypertrophic scars effectively.

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