Despite their often unsightly appearance, scabs serve as a protective barrier, safeguarding a wound from infection while the body works to repair tissue damage. Understanding the science behind ...

Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MDMedically reviewed by William Truswell, MD A scab is a dry, rough protective crust that forms over a cut or wound during healing. It starts to form as ...

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends petroleum jelly for keeping a wound moist and to help prevent it from drying out and forming a scab, because they take longer to heal. This will also ...