Health Information Library

Dead tissue that forms after a skin injury and slowly falls off as healthy skin grows back.

Self-care options include keeping the area covered and using petroleum jelly to keep the skin moist.

See a healthcare professional if a scab, also called eschar:

• Shows signs of infection, such as red or swollen skin, drainage, increased pain or swelling.
• Forms a large scar.
• Gets bigger.
• Does not heal.