Most of us have scars of some kind on our bodies. Whether it’s stretch marks, a surgical incision or the trace of a long-ago injury, they tell a story. I like to think it’s a story of resilience, because a scar is physical proof that your body coped with something and healed itself. However, not all scars are the same. Some are trying to tell you something, if you know what to look for. Here’s what I learned from one of mine and why I’m grateful for its warning.

My Journey From a Simple Cut to a Confusing Scar

A couple of years ago, I tripped on a hike and sustained a short but quite deep gash on my lower calf. The cut stubbornly refused to heal and started to get painful and swollen. I thought it was infected, but it turned out to be a skin ulcer. It was upsetting and took a couple of months to heal, but I put it down to my diabetes at the time. Once it had healed, I largely forgot about it.

Later that year, my husband noticed an odd, star-shaped white scar on the back of my calf where the ulcer had been. More than half of us have at least one scar, with the average being five, so I didn’t think my little star was anything to worry about. After all, it didn’t hurt. However, to reassure my husband, I promised to look into it. 

Faint Lines to Raised Bumps — The Spectrum of Scars

It turns out everyone scars differently, depending on factors like age, genetics and wound location on the body. All scars fall into one of these groups:

• Stretch marks: Caused when your body expands quickly — hello, baby — because this breaks the connective tissue beneath the skin. It affects more than just pregnant people, as bodybuilders can get them, too.
• Flat scars: This is the most common type, caused by most everyday cuts. Although raised, red and itchy initially, they generally heal to a flat line and, if you’re lucky, become less noticeable.
• Depressed scars: Also called atrophic scars, these most often happen on the face after acne or chickenpox and leave small pits in the skin.
• Raised scars: Medically called hypertrophic scars, these protrude above the skin. They typically follow surgery or deep lacerations, where the body produces too much collagen in an attempt to heal the wound.
• Keloid scars: These large, raised masses are much bigger than the original wound and are often painful or itchy. These can take months or years to appear.
• Contracture scars: These tight scars limit your movement and are often the painful, complex result of a serious burn.

I wasn’t quite sure which of these categories my star-shape fell into. It seemed a little sunken, so maybe it was an atrophic scar. However, it was on my lower leg, not my face, and definitely had nothing to do with acne. Plus, the shape was so odd. 

Meanwhile, I’d noticed my leg was regularly feeling heavy. On closer inspection, my star had developed a little cluster of tiny red dots around it. That was when I began to worry. 

When to Be Concerned About Scar Tissue 

I trusted my instincts and scheduled an appointment with my doctor. I am so glad I did. My star with its little red dots turned out to be atrophie blanche — a specific scarring pattern found on the lower leg or ankle after an injury or ulcer. This is a warning sign of potentially severe venous problems, and I was referred to a vascular specialist. I was diagnosed with venous insufficiency. 

That was a real wake-up call. Since the diagnosis, I’ve lost weight and am doing a lot more exercise. I’m also eating better and have a ton more energy. If it hadn’t been for my little white star, I would probably have put off making those vital lifestyle changes. The scar itself is much improved, thanks to a long period of wearing compression stockings. They weren’t glamorous, I have to tell you, but they did their job.

During this process, I learned to trust my instincts about what my body was trying to say. If you have any concerns about a scar pattern, I recommend consulting a health care professional to have it checked. It is probably nothing to worry about, but finding out will give you peace of mind. If there is something wrong, you can get it addressed straight away.   

When to See a Doctor About a Scar

Common warning signs that suggest a problem include:

• A foul odor or discharge from the scar
• Swelling 
• Pain at or around the site
• A scar that keeps growing
• Persistent itching after the initial healing phase
• An unusual pattern, shape or combination of colors

Scars as Messengers

I still believe scars tell the story of human resilience. More importantly, they can sometimes bring warnings, too. While most are harmless, being informed is crucial. If you notice anything concerning about yours, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. I did, and I will always be grateful to that strange little star for what it was trying to tell me. I’m so glad I listened.

Author: Beth Rush