what happens when you form a scab? (Scientifically that is)?
374472
As soon as you scrape or break the skin anywhere on your body, special blood cells called platelets (say: playt-lits) spring into action. Platelets stick together like glue at the cut, forming a clot (say: klot). This clot is like a protective bandage over your cut that keeps more blood and other fluids from flowing out. The clot is also full of other blood cells and thread-like stuff called fibrin (say: fy-brin) that help hold the clot together. \n\nSo now you're home, you're cleaned up, and you're not bleeding anymore. But things are still happening on your knee. As the clot starts to get hard and dries out, a scab forms. Scabs are usually crusty and dark red or brown. Their job is to protect the cut by keeping germs and other stuff out and giving the skin cells underneath a chance to heal.\n\nIf you look at a scab, it probably just looks like a hard, reddish glob. But under its surface, all kinds of things are going on. New skin cells are being made to help repair the torn skin. Damaged blood vessels are being fixed. White blood cells, the kind that fight infection to keep you from getting sick, go to work by attacking any germs that may have gotten into the cut. White blood cells also get rid of any dead blood and skin cells that may still be hanging around the cut. By the time it's all done, a new layer of skin will have been made.\n\nEventually, a scab falls off and reveals new skin underneath. This usually happens by itself after a week or 2. Even though it may be tough not to pick at a scab, try to leave it alone. If you pick or pull at the scab, you can undo the repair and rip your skin again, which means it'll probably take longer to heal. You may even get a scar. So let that scab sit there - your skin will thank you!
922148
That is blood pooling under the skin from the needle puncturing your vein...this too shall pass...your body will re-absorb the blood.
841144
Besides constantly scratching your "private parts" in public, you will probably get open sores from the crabs AND from scratching yourself.  This would also result in a build up of crabs, their eggs, and scabs from the wounds. You could also potentially pass them onto other people who use the same toilet facilities as you do.  It's best to just get them treated.
923130
Put Cortisone cream  on it!  It will help soften it, take out the red and any scab will be gone in hours!  Make sure you use a fair amount and rub it in well!  Do it every few hours the first day and you should be perfect!
666071
If you work yourself into a state beforehand it will hurt more than it actually does.\n\nOnce they start the tattoo, initially there is some pain,but it soon becomes almost numb.\n\nOnce the tattoo is done, while it is starting to scab over, it feels like REALLY bad sunburn and there will be a terrible temptation to scratch it, but DON'T!
975187
If you really have cut the skin there may come a scar and that will become less visible with time. If it's not a real cut, but more like a wrinkle you may have had an allergic response causing a rash
799206
If it doesn't seem to go away after a few days, I'd suggest you see a dermatologist or general doctor. It could be your skin was just irritated when you got the scrape, if something got on the area and you hadn't cleaned it (I have no idea of course but I'm assuming you were barefoot, if there was fertilizer/chemicals on someones grass and you walked through it, or something like that). Was the scrape really bad, like bleeding, or just sort of red and scratched up? I doubt it's infected, but if you're concerned if it doesn't go away in a day or two, or you have any other new symptoms, definitely just go to a doctor to make sure. You may need an antibiotic. I also think you should put Neosporin on it and see if that helps. Good luck!
731206
Since it only abraded the top layer of skin, it is highly unlikely that a scar will result.  The best thing to do after cleaning it with mild soap and water is to put an antimicrobial ointment on it until it heals such as bacitracin ointment or neosporin (both over the counter items).
666709
severe heat or strong acid/base will burn them right off.  Anything that leaves a scar will alter them.
725810
Yes, it can... normally. Swishing water is fine to do, its when you suck it up getting ready to spit it out, that does the damage. Swishing with warm salt water is good to do, and helps heal the tissue. But DONT spit it out, just open the mouth and let it ooze out. \n\nBUT... your at 4 days now.. You should be fine. Just be careful... Dont eat anything thats sharp like chips, that can get wedged up in there and cut the scab open. That wouldnt be good, and could be painful. ALSO.. if you think you have food stuck in the holes, get a syringe and clean it out. Irrigating the site isnt going to hurt it or break the scab/clot. It's absolutely safe to do. Like i said, 4 days ... your ready to start irrigating!
940423
NO, it is NOT an infection.  With a scrape, a lot of times you get that oozing if you immediately coat it with something as you did. The oozing is plasma. It's a part of your blood. Your blood is trying to get white cells there to heal things up. Sounds like you exposed some nerve endings as well.  All completely normal.\n\nThe semi white film is actually skin cells that have stayed wet. The wound is trying to heal, the the environment is too wet.\n\nLeave the bandages and Neosporin off, let it air dry without cloth on it at all if you can, and just wear normal clothing as always.It will form the scab as it dries and heal as scrapes normally do.\n\nNeosporin is not a bad first response; even your doctor will tell you so, especially if you could have gotten fabric fibers, dirt, other crap from the area you fell on it.  But now it's time to let it dry out and heal.
668198
I used to always eat my scabs as I thought if you didn't the skin wouldn't grow back. (Adults always told you not to pick them and I thought that was why.)
1116156
An infection starts in another area and if it goes untreated or treated with the wrong antibioitic or depending where the infection is it can seep into the blood stream.  Say you have deep cut that you thought was nothing and ignored it.  Bacteria could enter the cut and cause an infection.  The infection can get so deep into the skin that it could go into the blood stream or the bone (called osteomylitis).  I have seen kids get a positive blood culute from an ear infection, urinary tract infection, and even a sore on the bottom of the foot.  Bottom line, keep cuts clean, take all your antibiotics if a doctor prescribes it and call the doctor for fevers, redness, swelling or increased pain.  All signs an infection can be present.  Hope your friend it is better.
1159818
Hello:\nThis is in response to the question you posted on yahoo concerning the injury to your fingers. It sounds like you sustained what is called an "abrasion" which is simply a scrape over the skin where the top layer of skin is sheered off. It is very common and rarely will get infected unless you get it really dirty. What I would suggest is wash the area with warm soapy water, pat it dry with a paper towel and apply something like neosporin or triple antiobiotic cream, both of which you can purchase over the counter at your local drug store. Repeat this 2-3 times per day, and within a few days a nice scab will form over the traumatized area. Dont pick at the scab though. Let it fall off on its own. There is a very slim chance of an infection, but signs of an infection include warmth, redness around the area, streaking redness up your arm, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a change in your mental awareness.\nI hope this answered your question and alleviated some of the concerns you had.\nBest regards,\nWarren Shaffer, M.D.
68958
Jordan did answer your question. NONE! puss is formed at the site of the abrasion (lasceration, crushes, incisions and puncture wounds typically scab and are treated in such a matter that inhibit white and T-Cell formation but still ward off infection via antibiotics) so unless you have some serious scrapes or you have the acne problem of a 16 year old working the grill at McD's, none
486441
If you weren't treated by a physician when it happened now would be a good time. If you were treated but the wound has become infected you should place a call to your doctor. With a cut that deep he may order antibiotics. You could be putting yourself at risk of a deep tissue infection like cellulitis. Nothing to fool around with. If your doctor is not available I'd suggest an urgent care clinic or the emergency room.
121550
It's basicly a pocket of trapped infection. As the infection grows within the pocket, it swells and can be very painful.  If the abscess continues to progress, skin, bone and other tissues can be injured or destroyed. \n\nAn abscess can resolve with or without antibiotics, but may require surgical intervention to drain  and clean the pocket of infection. This  removal of the abscess contents can speed recovery, prevent or limit damage, and greatly releave pain.  In extreeme cases, additonal intervention could be required to repair damage caused by the abscess.