If you have a scab right now, take a closer look.

These dark blobs harden over scrapes and cuts on your skin. They may not seem so great—especially when they hurt—but imagine what’s going on under the scab. The hard, crusty surface of the scab keeps germs and dirt from getting down into your cut. Think of it as your body’s force field. Underneath, your skin cells are healing, and damaged blood vessels are being repaired.

If you pick the scab before the cut has healed, you’ve removed the force field. Leave them alone, and scabs will usually fall off on their own. As yucky as they look, scabs prove that gross is great!