Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Scar Tissue?Can Scar Tissue Cause Pain?Why It May Appear LaterOther SymptomsAt-Home TherapiesMedical Treatment OptionsWhen to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Scar Tissue?
Can Scar Tissue Cause Pain?
Why It May Appear Later
Other Symptoms
At-Home Therapies
Medical Treatment Options
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
A scar is an area of skin that is permanently changed after a wound. Scars can form after a burn, surgery, an infection, acne, a sore, or a cut. It’s usually thicker than normal skin and can be discolored or shiny.
Scar tissue is the thickened, fibrous connective tissue that develops after healthy skin cells have been destroyed. This can happen just after a surgery or injury or years later. In some cases, scar tissue becomes uncomfortable or even painful.
This article will go over why scar tissue can be painful and how to relieve it, including home remedies and medical treatment options.
Natasa Ivancev / Getty Images
There are several different kinds of scars, including:
While many scars are painless, some people experience severe scar tissue pain. This is typically due to damage to the nerves surrounding the destroyed tissue.
Scarring-relatedneuropathy(nerve pain) and nerve sensitivity is especially common after a burn or surgical procedure. Both forms of trauma carry a higher risk of deep tissue damage and involvement of the underlying nerves.
Scar tissue pain is also often related to inflammation. As skin wounds heal, your immune system prompts an inflammatory response to speed up tissue regrowth. Sometimes, this action results in excessive connective tissue growing in the affected area, leading to skin tightness, pain, and itching.
Why Scar Tissue Pain May Appear Years Later
Research suggests that up to 50% of people who undergo certain surgical procedures experience chronic postoperative (postsurgical) pain. Up to 68% ofburn patientsexperience persistent and severe scar tissue pain.
For some people, this pain starts right after the related trauma. For others, it may appear months or even years later or get worse over time. This may be due to the cumulative effects of chronic inflammation, as well as skin tightness due to ongoing restricted mobility. For example, if you can’t fully straighten your leg due to a contracture scar on your knee, your pain in that area may increase gradually.
Other Symptoms With Scar Tissue Pain
Many people with scar tissue experience additional symptoms alongside pain. These can include:
There are many different types of at-home therapies, such as those that follow, to relieve scar tissue pain and help to reduce the appearance of thickened scars.
Massage
There is evidence that gently massaging your scar and the area of skin around it can reduce itchiness, pain, and discomfort. This may be because it helps to break down scar tissue in the area, making the skin more pliable and elastic. Massage therapy has been found to have some of the same benefits.
Moisturizer
Applyingmoisturizeror petroleum jelly to a recent skin wound or scar can help to reduce pain and slow down scar formation. This keeps the tissue supple and can assist with inflammation and irritation. You may also want to cover the moisturized skin with a bandage to keep it clean and protected.
Silicone Gel
For many decades, silicone gel, either in the form of sheets or topical ointment, has been used to reduce the appearance of scars, especially hypertrophic and keloid scars. Silicone gel has also been shown to relieve related symptoms, from scar tissue pain and skin tightness to stiffness, itching, and swelling.
For best results, you’ll need to use silicone gel sheets consistently for several weeks or months after your skin wound closes.
Taping
Applying a dressing, such as silicone gel or polyurethane dressing, to a raised scar may help it fade. Research suggests that moistscar tapecan also soften a firm scar, which can help with pain. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you tape any scars for up to six weeks after a surgical procedure.
Compression Techniques
Compression techniques, also known as pressure therapy, can help to speed up the wound healing process and prevent scars from forming or getting bigger, especially keloid scars.Compression sock or stockingsor elastic bandage wraps also work to improve circulation and encourage blood flow to the area. You’ll need to wear them for at least six to eight weeks.
Vibration Devices
Evidence suggests that vibration may help to speed up skin wound healing and soothe neuropathy symptoms. Some people use vibration devices, such as handheld massage tools, on and around their scars. This can break up fibrous scar tissue, encourage blood flow, and improve flexibility in the underlying joints.
Stretches and Exercises
If you have a painful scar, it may be tempting not to move the affected area. However, it’s important to prioritize gentle movement, such as stretches, walking, and other mild to moderate forms of exercise, to boost circulation, improve the wound healing process, and maintain yourrange of motionand mobility.
OTC Topical Solutions
Some over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments are available at pharmacies and drugstores to temporarily relieve symptoms like scar tissue pain and itching.
Lidocaine, a topical anesthetic, is one common option for treating scar-related pain. Often used to reduce neuropathy, topical lidocaine is popular, in part, due to its relatively low risk of side effects.
Meanwhile,capsaicin, which is found naturally in chili peppers, also helps to reduce pain, including scar tissue pain, when applied topically. It curbs nerve cell activity, leading to numbness in the targeted area.
If your scar tissue pain doesn’t go away with at-home remedies, medical treatment may be necessary. Here are some of the available options.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion, ordermaplaning, is a skin resurfacing treatment in which a dermatologist removes the top layer of your skin with special tools. It’s sometimes used to reduce the appearance and thickness of certain scars. However, it doesn’t typically work on burn scars or contracture scars.
Grafting
If your scarring and scar tissue pain are extensive and other treatments have failed, your healthcare provider may recommend skin and/or fat grafts. Grafting can prevent further scarring, reduce nerve pain, and repair the area after a sizable scar has been surgically removed.
Laser Treatments
Laser therapyhas become a popular treatment option to relieve many scar-related symptoms. It may be combined with injections, medications, and/or physical therapy.
Depending on your type of scar, laser therapy uses light to produce a wide range of potential benefits, including:
Scar Revision Surgery
In severe cases, your dermatologist might suggest that you undergo scar revision surgery. This is particularly likely if you have a contracture or burn scar. Surgery may involve cutting out the scar or making flaps in the skin to allow a contracture scar to be released.
The Graston Technique
After a warm-up, your physical therapist or another healthcare provider will use stainless steel tools to manipulate the soft tissue around your scars. This helps to reduce pain and improve range of motion.
Adhesion Barriers
Injections and Injectables
Your dermatologist may recommend that you receive injections directly into a keloid scar. In addition to significantly decreasing the size of your scar, this can soothe pain, inflammation, and itchiness. Common treatment options includecorticosteroid, fluorouracil (5-FU), and bleomycin injections.
Physical Therapy
You can work with a physical therapist to develop a multimodal program to improve your range of motion and relieve scar tissue pain. Physical therapy for scar-related pain often involves a combination of guided exercises and stretches, manual (hands-on) therapies such as massage, and passive therapies likeelectrical stimulationand ultrasound.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have persistent scar tissue pain, a scar that is getting worse, or scarring that bothers you in any way. Adermatologistcan determine what kind of scar you have and which treatment options are right for you.
Get medical help right away if your scar shows any signs of infection. These may include pus or other drainage, fever, swelling, severe pain, tenderness, or warmth just under the skin.
Summary
Scar tissue pain often develops due to nerve damage and inflammation, often after a surgery or burn. At-home remedies for scar tissue pain include massage, moisturizer, silicone gel, taping, compression techniques, vibration devices, and stretching.
Medical treatment options include dermabrasion, skin grafting, laser treatments, scar revision surgery, the Graston technique, injections, physical therapy, and adhesion barriers. If you have persistent scarring and/or scar tissue pain, consider reaching out to a board-certified dermatologist for help.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Scars.National Cancer Institute.Scar tissue.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: Overview.National Health Service.Scars.Abd-Elsayed A, Pope J, Mundey DA, et al.Diagnosis, treatment, and management of painful scar: A narrative review.J Pain Res. 2022;15:925-937. doi:10.2147/JPR.S355096Bijlard E, Uiterwaal L, Kouwenberg CA, et al.A systematic review on the prevalence, etiology, and pathophysiology of intrinsic pain in dermal scar tissue.Pain Physician. 2017;20(2):1-13. PMID: 28158149.American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Scars.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: Diagnosis and treatment.Syabariyah S, Nurachmah E, Widjojo BD, et al.The effect of vibration on the acceleration of wound healing of diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer: A prospective experimental study on human patients.Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(2):191. doi:10.3390/healthcare11020191American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Dermabrasion for scars.Cheatham SW, Lee M, Cain M, Baker R.The efficacy of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization: A systematic review.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2016;60(3):200-211. PMID: 27713575; PMCID: PMC5039777.Fatehi Hassanabad A, Zarzycki AN, Jeon K, et al.Prevention of post-operative adhesions: A comprehensive review of present and emerging strategies.Biomolecules. 2021;11(7):1027. doi:10.3390/biom11071027
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Scars.National Cancer Institute.Scar tissue.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: Overview.National Health Service.Scars.Abd-Elsayed A, Pope J, Mundey DA, et al.Diagnosis, treatment, and management of painful scar: A narrative review.J Pain Res. 2022;15:925-937. doi:10.2147/JPR.S355096Bijlard E, Uiterwaal L, Kouwenberg CA, et al.A systematic review on the prevalence, etiology, and pathophysiology of intrinsic pain in dermal scar tissue.Pain Physician. 2017;20(2):1-13. PMID: 28158149.American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Scars.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: Diagnosis and treatment.Syabariyah S, Nurachmah E, Widjojo BD, et al.The effect of vibration on the acceleration of wound healing of diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer: A prospective experimental study on human patients.Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(2):191. doi:10.3390/healthcare11020191American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Dermabrasion for scars.Cheatham SW, Lee M, Cain M, Baker R.The efficacy of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization: A systematic review.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2016;60(3):200-211. PMID: 27713575; PMCID: PMC5039777.Fatehi Hassanabad A, Zarzycki AN, Jeon K, et al.Prevention of post-operative adhesions: A comprehensive review of present and emerging strategies.Biomolecules. 2021;11(7):1027. doi:10.3390/biom11071027
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Scars.National Cancer Institute.Scar tissue.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: Overview.National Health Service.Scars.Abd-Elsayed A, Pope J, Mundey DA, et al.Diagnosis, treatment, and management of painful scar: A narrative review.J Pain Res. 2022;15:925-937. doi:10.2147/JPR.S355096Bijlard E, Uiterwaal L, Kouwenberg CA, et al.A systematic review on the prevalence, etiology, and pathophysiology of intrinsic pain in dermal scar tissue.Pain Physician. 2017;20(2):1-13. PMID: 28158149.American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Scars.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: Diagnosis and treatment.Syabariyah S, Nurachmah E, Widjojo BD, et al.The effect of vibration on the acceleration of wound healing of diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer: A prospective experimental study on human patients.Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(2):191. doi:10.3390/healthcare11020191American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Dermabrasion for scars.Cheatham SW, Lee M, Cain M, Baker R.The efficacy of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization: A systematic review.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2016;60(3):200-211. PMID: 27713575; PMCID: PMC5039777.Fatehi Hassanabad A, Zarzycki AN, Jeon K, et al.Prevention of post-operative adhesions: A comprehensive review of present and emerging strategies.Biomolecules. 2021;11(7):1027. doi:10.3390/biom11071027
MedlinePlus.Scars.
National Cancer Institute.Scar tissue.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: Overview.
National Health Service.Scars.
Abd-Elsayed A, Pope J, Mundey DA, et al.Diagnosis, treatment, and management of painful scar: A narrative review.J Pain Res. 2022;15:925-937. doi:10.2147/JPR.S355096
Bijlard E, Uiterwaal L, Kouwenberg CA, et al.A systematic review on the prevalence, etiology, and pathophysiology of intrinsic pain in dermal scar tissue.Pain Physician. 2017;20(2):1-13. PMID: 28158149.
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Scars.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: Diagnosis and treatment.
Syabariyah S, Nurachmah E, Widjojo BD, et al.The effect of vibration on the acceleration of wound healing of diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer: A prospective experimental study on human patients.Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(2):191. doi:10.3390/healthcare11020191
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Dermabrasion for scars.
Cheatham SW, Lee M, Cain M, Baker R.The efficacy of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization: A systematic review.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2016;60(3):200-211. PMID: 27713575; PMCID: PMC5039777.
Fatehi Hassanabad A, Zarzycki AN, Jeon K, et al.Prevention of post-operative adhesions: A comprehensive review of present and emerging strategies.Biomolecules. 2021;11(7):1027. doi:10.3390/biom11071027
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