treatyourscars Although first-degree burns are not as severe as higher-degree burns, they can cause minor pain and scarring if not treated properly. Minor burns or sunburns usually do not leave scars as they do not damage the deeper layers of the skin. While minor burns can heal without scarring, most burns leave permanent marks.
How to Treat a Minor First Degree Burn
While first-degree burns usually heal without scarring within 7-10 days, all deeper (second and third-degree) burns heal with scarring. Second-degree burns that heal within 14 to 21 days put a person at risk for scarring. Burns that take more than 21 days to heal have a high risk of scarring and may require a skin graft.
Any burn that takes more than 21 days to heal will result in a scar. Studies have shown that less severe burns that heal within 14 days tend to leave no scarring. Third-degree burns take a long time to heal and may leave scars.
Emergency treatment of extensive third- and fourth-degree burns usually require hospitalization and intensive care, as well as surgery. Adequate and timely treatment of first and second-degree burns can prevent the formation of extensive scar tissue.
Read also: What Is Good To Put On Burn Scars?
If burn scars are causing significant discomfort, a person can talk to their doctor about scar tissue reduction options. Most burn scar surgery is primarily done to correct contractures and improve range of motion, and this may sometimes require the removal of scar tissue that has formed under the skin. Surgery cannot completely remove scars, but it can help make them less noticeable and improve the limited range of motion that results from contractures.
Massage therapy is used to reduce pain, skin sensitivity, and sometimes the very intense itching that usually accompanies burn scars. This treatment has been used for several decades and is usually the first treatment option for hypertrophic (raised scars) in burn centers.
Deeper burns can be treated with skin grafts and compression garments to minimize scarring. As burn scars age and become less brittle, you can apply more pressure when applying moisturizers to prevent the scar from stiffening and to relax the area.
Protection helps reduce scarring, as burn redness can sometimes persist for weeks, especially in people with darker skin. Avoid sun exposure to the affected area as it can be sensitive for several months. To prevent contractures, stretch the burned area for a few minutes a day.
To prevent scarring after a burn, the first thing you should do for a minor burn is to put it under cold running water, and for better relief, prepare a cold compress with a clean, damp cloth and place it on the burnt area for about 15-20 minutes. and then wash the affected area with water.
Usually, a person can treat a first-degree burn at home by soaking the burn in cold water for at least 5 minutes. With burns that only affect the outer layers of the skin, the scar tissue disappears over time, otherwise, you can try some home remedies to get rid of it naturally at home.
When the skin is damaged from burns, trauma, or surgery, scarring is a normal part of the healing process. During the first few months after a burn, burn scars appear above the surface of the skin and are dark red to purple in color. Another type of scar that can form after a burn is called contracture.
When scar tissue forms at the burn site, it can make the skin so tight that the bones and joints cannot move. If a joint of the body is scarred due to the healing process of the body’s joints, in many cases it can restrict movement in that area of the body. This injury can cause irritation, or worse, may increase the risk of scarring, so it’s best to avoid it entirely. Something more serious can — and likely will — leave a scar, although its severity depends on the extent of the damage.
Various problems can occur due to a hypertrophic burn scar, including irritating itching that can lead to skin damage, depression due to low self-esteem caused by the scar, and sensitivity to the sun and chemicals.
Regardless of the cause, an explosion can leave victims with severe burns that risk lifelong scars. Burn scars Accidentally touching something hot, such as picking up a freshly baked pan of scalding it with boiling water, can burn the skin. A few moments of contact with a heat source can cause long-term effects such as scarring and, of course, general discomfort.
Second-degree burns can damage the upper two layers of skin, but can also damage bones and tendons and affect nerve endings. The same goes for second-degree burns that pass through a joint or involve the face, fingers, toes, or genitals, as there is an increased risk of disfigurement and scarring that can limit mobility. Emotional problems Large scars can disfigure a person, especially on the face or other visible areas. Some burn survivors also find compression garments to look better than their own scars.
Their doctor can advise on how to prevent or reduce scarring and check if the burn is healing properly. A skin graft may result in pigmentation that usually goes away on its own, or your doctor may suggest cosmetic treatments to speed it up.
In case of anything more serious, you should see a doctor for treatment (this also applies to chemical burns, which usually require medical attention). Family members can help the victim by providing support and encouragement to overcome disappointment and not give up.
