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Why can burn scars become dry, cracked, and itchy?

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Cross-section diagram of human skin showing burn depth by degree, with arrows indicating that first-degree burns affect only the epidermis, second-degree burns reach the dermis, third-degree burns extend into subcutaneous tissue, and fourth-degree burns penetrate to muscle. — burn This diagram shows how burn injuries are classified by severity. First-degree burns damage the outer skin, known as the epidermis. First-degree burns are the least severe form of burn injury. Second-degree burns damage the outer skin and some of the underlying skin, known as the dermis, which also includes some connective tissue. Third-degree burns damage all the layers of skin, including subcutaneous tissue. Fourth-degree burns, which are the most severe, destroy every layer of skin and also damage muscle, tendons, and bones.

Burn scars can become dry, cracked, and itchy because full-thickness burns destroy the skin's essential structures, including sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles.1

Under normal conditions, these glands help maintain skin moisture and regulate temperature. When they are destroyed, the skin loses its natural ability to hydrate itself, leading to dryness and cracking. To manage these symptoms and reduce itching, it is often necessary to apply emollients, such as lanolin, or other specialized creams and lotions to the affected area.1