Why do Wounds Itch When They Heal?

You must have experienced an unbearable itching sensation around a wound after a part of the body is cut. This sensation is commonly understood by those with medical knowledge as a sign that the wound is healing. Fortunately, the wounds actually heal quickly and completely.

So what causes the unbearable itching sensation during the wound healing process? The answer lies in the structure of human skin. Human skin consists of multiple layers, with the bottom layer known as the germinal layer. This layer has strong regenerative abilities, allowing it to continuously grow and reproduce. When a wound only affects the superficial layer of the skin, it can be healed solely by the germinal layer without stimulating the nerves. In such cases, people do not typically experience itching during the healing process.

Wounds that are relatively large or reach the deeper layers of the skin often cause itching during the healing process. This is due to the growth of new tissue called connective tissue that is required to repair the wound. As blood vessels and nerves grow into this new tissue, they become crowded together, and the newly grown nerves are easily stimulated. Because nerves are highly sensitive, this stimulation triggers itching sensations.

The regenerative abilities of different tissues in the human body vary, with nerve tissue being one of the tissues with the poorest regenerative ability. Nerve tissue typically regrows later in the wound healing process, when the wound is almost healed. At this stage, newly grown nerve endings and blood vessels grow into the connective tissue, gradually restoring sensation. This process can cause temporary itching sensations around the wound.


The itching around a healing wound is temporary, and typically resolving on its own over time. No special treatment is required. It's important not to scratch or rub the wound or expose it to hot water when it feels itchy, as this may increase discomfort and delay the recovery process by causing wound infection. Instead, it's best to keep the wound clean and dry and follow any additional care instructions provided by a healthcare provider.