Yes, scars can hurt when it rains. This is because changes in barometric pressure, often associated with rain, affect the body's soft tissues, including scar tissue. Our bodies are approximately 70% water; therefore, they respond to pressure changes. This expansion and contraction of scar tissue can irritate nerve endings, causing pain or discomfort.
Why This Happens:
- Barometric Pressure Changes: A drop in barometric pressure, common before and during rain, causes soft tissues, including scar tissue, to expand slightly. This expansion puts additional pressure on nerve endings within and around the scar, leading to pain. [Source: Multiple sources cited below confirm this relationship between barometric pressure and pain in old injuries and scars.]
- Scar Tissue Sensitivity: Scar tissue is less elastic and more sensitive than normal tissue. This inherent sensitivity makes it more susceptible to pain from even minor pressure changes. [Source: Many sources, including the Reddit thread, mention increased sensitivity in scar tissue.]
- Fluid Expansion: The expansion isn't just in the scar tissue itself. The fluid around the injured area also expands, putting extra pressure on nerve endings and causing discomfort. [Source: Merivale Hand Clinic article]
Types of Scar Pain:
While not all scars hurt when it rains, those resulting from:
- Significant injuries
- Surgical procedures
- Sports injuries
are more likely to be sensitive to barometric pressure changes.
Other Factors:
While barometric pressure is a significant factor, other weather-related factors, such as cold temperatures, can also exacerbate scar pain. Cold temperatures can constrict blood vessels, reducing circulation and increasing pain sensitivity. [Source: Various articles mention the combined effect of pressure and temperature changes.]
In summary, the pain experienced in scars during rain isn't a direct effect of the rain itself, but rather a consequence of barometric pressure changes affecting the body's soft tissues, including less elastic and more sensitive scar tissue.
