Scar Symptoms

Every scar is unique. Some scars cause very few symptoms, while others can affect comfort, movement, appearance, and emotional wellbeing. Many symptoms improve as the scar matures, but some may persist and benefit from assessment or treatment.

How Does my Scar Feel?

The way a scar feels is one of the most common reasons people seek advice. These sensations are often part of the normal healing process but can sometimes indicate that the scar requires treatment.

Itching

Itching is one of the most common scar symptoms, especially during the first year after injury or surgery. It may be mild or severe and can be triggered by heat, dry skin, clothing, exercise, or stress.

Pain

Scar pain may feel sharp, aching, burning, throbbing, or stabbing. Some people only experience pain when the scar is touched, while others have pain even at rest.

Tenderness

New scars are often sensitive to pressure or touch. Tenderness usually improves as the scar matures.

Burning or Stinging

Some scars produce a burning or stinging sensation, often due to healing nerves or increased sensitivity within the scar tissue.

Tightness

Scar tissue is less flexible than normal skin. As a result, many people describe their scar as feeling tight, stretched, or as though it is pulling.

Numbness

A scar may feel numb if small sensory nerves were damaged during the injury or surgery. Sensation may gradually return over time, although some numbness can be permanent.

Tingling or "Pins and Needles"

These sensations are common as nerves regenerate during healing and often improve over time.

Increased Sensitivity

Some scars become extremely sensitive to light touch, clothing, or changes in temperature. Even gentle contact may feel uncomfortable or painful.

Dryness

Scar tissue contains fewer oil and sweat glands than normal skin, making it prone to dryness, flaking, and irritation.

How Does My Scar Move?

Scar tissue behaves differently from healthy skin. It is less elastic and may affect how the body moves, particularly when a scar crosses a joint or covers a large area.

Stiffness

The scar and surrounding tissues may feel stiff, particularly after resting or first thing in the morning.

Reduced Flexibility

The skin may not stretch as easily as before, making certain movements uncomfortable.

Tightness During Movement

Many people notice their scar pulling during activities such as reaching, bending, walking, or stretching.

Restricted Movement

Some scars reduce the normal movement of nearby joints or body parts. This may affect everyday tasks such as dressing, driving, exercising, or working.

Contracture

A contracture occurs when scar tissue shortens and tightens over time, pulling the surrounding skin and tissues together. This is most commonly seen after deep burns but can also occur following surgery or major trauma. Contractures can significantly limit movement and often require specialist treatment.

Reduced Strength or Function

Scars affecting the hands, feet, face, or other functional areas may reduce strength, dexterity, balance, or coordination.

How Does My Scar Look?

Changes in appearance are a normal part of scar maturation. Every scar develops differently depending on the injury, skin type, genetics, and healing process.

Redness

Many scars appear red or pink during the early stages of healing as blood vessels develop within the scar. This usually fades over time.

Colour Changes

Scars may become lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. These colour differences may gradually improve but can sometimes remain long term.

Raised or Thickened Scars

Some scars become raised above the surrounding skin. Hypertrophic scars remain within the original wound, while keloid scars extend beyond the original injury.

Sunken Scars

Some scars appear indented or depressed due to loss of tissue beneath the skin.

Firmness

Scars often feel hard or firm during healing before gradually softening as they mature.

Texture Changes

Scar tissue may feel smooth, shiny, uneven, rough, or lumpy compared with normal skin.

Swelling

Some scars remain swollen during the healing process or become more swollen after activity.

How Does My Scar Affect My Life?

Scars can affect much more than the skin. They may influence daily activities, confidence, relationships, work, and emotional wellbeing.

Sleep

Itching, pain, or discomfort can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Daily Activities

Scar symptoms may affect dressing, personal care, cooking, writing, driving, or other everyday tasks.

Work and Hobbies

Some people find that scar symptoms limit their ability to work, play sport, or enjoy hobbies.

Exercise

Tightness, discomfort, or reduced movement may make exercise more challenging.

Confidence and Body Image

Visible scars can affect self-confidence and how people feel about their appearance. This experience is different for everyone.

Social Activities

Some people avoid social situations, swimming, photographs, or certain clothing because of concerns about their scar.

Emotional Wellbeing

Living with a scar may contribute to frustration, anxiety, low mood, or emotional distress, particularly if symptoms are persistent or the scar developed following a traumatic event.

Relationships and Intimacy

Scars may influence how people feel about close relationships or physical intimacy. Open conversations and appropriate support can often help.

When Should I Seek Professional Advice?

It is worth seeking advice if your scar:

Is becoming increasingly painful, itchy, or tight.
Is restricting movement or affecting daily activities.
Continues to become thicker or more raised.
Breaks down, bleeds, or develops discharge.
Becomes increasingly red, warm, or swollen.
Has a significant impact on your confidence, sleep, or emotional wellbeing.

Early assessment and appropriate scar management can often improve symptoms, function, and overall quality of life.

How do I find the right treatment and scar therapist for my scar?

In this video, Dr RuthAnn Fanstone talks about how to find the right treatment for your scar and what considerations need to take place, in order to find the correct scar therapist for you and your scar recovery.

Products to help your scar