Scabs sometimes turn white if they have been coated in thick ointment for too long. Water molecules cause the tissues on the skin’s surface to retract and pull away, which can leave scabs seemingly colorless for many of the same reasons that fingers and toes often look pale and wrinkled or prune-like after too long of a soak. People who take long baths or showers or who spend a lot of time swimming are the most at risk for this sort of discoloration.

Most minor skin infections can be treated with a topical antibiotic ointment. Newly formed skin is not attached to the scab, and there is often just enough space in between to allow moisture to get through. They aren’t impenetrable, however, and water is actually able to seep in relatively easily. Scabs are the body’s way of protecting skin as it heals, basically by creating a natural bandage that “seals” the area from environmental elements and stops surface bleeding. Water is far and away the most common cause, though in this case the color change is just temporary. Trapped water molecules are the most common cause of a white scab. People who notice pale-colored wounds or who have skin abrasions that seem to suddenly lose pigmentation should probably seek medical attention if things don’t get back to normal after a day or two. Scabs aren’t typically white, and the lack of color is often a sign that something isn’t quite right. Skin cancer and certain autoimmune conditions can also cause skin lesions that look like white scabs, though in these cases there isn’t usually any sort of cut or scrape underneath. A white scab has many causes, some serious.Ī white scab is usually caused by trapped moisture, but other possibilities include extended exposure to thick ointments, allergic reactions, and skin infections.

Road rash healing process