After a recent burn, a person can use several methods to prevent or reduce the severity of scars:
Directly after the burn occurs, a person can:
rinse the burn with cool or lukewarm water, then let the skin air dry
apply antibiotic anointment, using a sterilized applicator to help prevent infection
cover the burn with a nonstick bandage, held in place with gauze
seek medical care if the wound is getting redder instead of healing.
Shortly after the burn has healed, a person can:
carefully stretch the skin around the affected area for a few minutes every day to prevent the skin from sticking together
wait for any blisters to burst and drain by themselves, then have a doctor cut away the dead skin
cover the damaged area with clothing or sunscreen for a few months
To ensure a severe burn is healing well make regular appointments with a doctor. They can advise on how to prevent or lessen scarring and check the burn is healing as it should.
How to treat burns
Applying gauze bandages to the burn will help to prevent infection.
Quick and proper treatment of a burn will reduce the risk and severity of any scarring.
A person can usually treat a first-degree burn at home by soaking the burn in cool water for a minimum of 5 minutes.
People who have a second-degree burn should usually see a medical professional. However, people can treat small burns at home in the following ways:
Antibiotic ointment. Applying a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the affected area promotes healing and reduces the risk of infection.
Gauze bandages. Covering the burn with sterile, nonstick gauze protects the skin and reduces the chances of an infection.
Third-degree burns are very serious and require immediate medical attention.
Treatment for third-degree burns include:
Compression garments are tight items of clothing that support the affected area. This pressure will allow the skin to recover. A person may have to wear a compression garment all day for a few months to give the burn time to heal.
Skin grafts. A skin graft involves a surgeon taking healthy skin from another area of the body, or from a donor, and using this to cover the area of burned skin.
Surgery. If a burn causes parts of the skin to stick together (called contractures), a person may require surgery to release these and enable movement.
Physical therapy to encourage motion in areas of the body affected by contractures may also help.
If a burn does not heal within a week, regardless of its size or severity, make an appointment with a doctor. If the burn scar is severe or it does not fade in time, a person should also consult their doctor.
Applying aloe vera gel, eating a diet rich in antioxidant foods, drinking plenty of water, and taking certain supplements may improve a person's healing process. However, it is essential to consult a doctor before putting anything on severe burns and taking new supplements as these may interfere with other treatments.
Complications
The majority of minor burns will heal without causing any further problems and do not require medical care. More severe burns need medical management, may leave scars, and carry a higher risk of complications, such as:
Infection
Burns cause open wounds where bacteria and other germs can enter the body. The resulting infections can be minor and easily treatable or can develop into more severe infections, such as sepsis. Sepsis occurs when the infection enters a person's bloodstream and can be life-threatening.
Dehydration
Burns cause the body to lose fluid. Losing excessive amounts of fluid can cause dehydration, which can affect the volume of blood flowing through the body.
Low body temperature
A person's skin helps to regulate their body temperature. When a burn damages the skin extensively, the resulting heat loss can result in hypothermia, when a person's body temperature suddenly drops to dangerously low levels.
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