How to Prevent Scarring from a Second Degree Burn

Methods to treat second degree burns

Treating second degree burns is indeed a complicated process. Aside of treating them carefully by ourselves, we also need to regularly consulting with the dermatologists. To achieve the best outcome, the efforts of preventing scars from second degree burns do not begin only after the wounds have healed. It is in fact starts right from the moment we treat the wounds. Having said that, here are some methods that will be beneficial in helping us to treat the second degree burns appropriately.

1. Rinse the wounded area with comfortable temperature water by using a sink or bathtub faucet. The water stream will help removing the germs, dead skins, and another debris.
2. After rinsing the wounds, air dry them.
3. Apply antibiotic cream to prevent infection. We need to apply it aseptically by utilizing a sterile tongue depressors. On top of that, we must use lots of cream as if we are going to put cake icing. We can determine whether or not the amount of the cream is adequate or not at the moment of changing the bandage. In case all the cream is worn off or soaked in to the wounds, it is an indication that we aren’t using enough cream.
4. Cover the burns with a specific type of bandage specific type of bandage recommended by the doctor. This bandage usually is a non-stick pad that is placed over the antibiotic cream. After putting on the bandage, a gauze is then taped or wrapped around the wounded areas.
5. Do some stretching. If the burns located on an area where the body stretches or pulls a lot (such as the hand palm or the side of the fingers), the burned skin is at a higher risk of developing a contracture. It is a kind of scar in which the skins are tightened and thus limiting the body movement. To prevent this from happening, it is very crucial to stretch the skins around ten times daily for a minute each time.
6. Cutting away the blister AFTER the blister pops by itself. We or our doctor may cut the dead blistered skin away to prevent infection and thus promote faster healing process. If we have a large blister that pops after a few days, we may need to pay our doctor another visit. The doctor will then redo the dead skin cutting away process.
7. Paying attention of any signs of infection. We need to urgently call or see our doctor if we detect any foul-smelling greenish discharge from the burns or notice any expanding area of redness around the burns.
8. Beware of the sunlight. Burned skin is really sensitive of being permanently discolored by the sun. Once the burns are recovered, we need to apply sunscreen or cover the burned areas with proper clothing or a hat. This must be done for approximately 6 months.
9. Keep on updating with the doctor regarding when we can stop all the treatments explained above. Usually, as the dead burned skin starting to peel off, new red skin will be visible underneath. This new red skin will gradually lighten into a pinky color. It is the sign of when we can stop applying the cream and covering the wounds with a bandage.

Preventing scars from a second degree burn

Scars can be defined as thickened marks left on our skins after a burn injury has completely healed. Most second degree burns might end up with scarring if they are treated properly. One way to reduce scarring is by wearing pressure garments which are tight-fitting clothes to be worn on top of the burned areas. If the victims are children, the pressure garments must be worn 23 hours per day (except when taking a bath) for up to two years after the burns occurred.

Besides wearing pressure garments, we might also use medicinal honey such as Manuka honey to address our wounds and burns. A study that researches into the outcome of 22 clinical trials involving more than 2,000 patients concludes that honey is really effective in reducing scarring. This is due to the fact that honey helps to clear up existing wound infections and protects against further infection as well as stimulate the new tissue growth. Another study in India shows that only 6.2 percent out of 450 patients treated with honey ended up with scars. This is a lot better than 19.7 percent out of 450 patients treated with conventional methods that ended up with scars. Applying vitamin E oil gently by rubbing it into the recovered burned areas for two or three times daily is also proven to be effective in preventing scars.

Scar removal cream

One of the most practical yet effective way to prevent getting scars from second degree burns is by applying scar removal cream. The best scar removal cream is the one that contains silicone which is important in triggering the production of collagen. One scar removal cream that has been recommended by many dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons is Dermefface FX7. This particular cream will penetrate every layer of the skin which include the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Dermefface FX 7 stimulates our bodies’ natural cell regrowth process and speeds up the collagen production. It also plays a role as our skins vitamin supplement, moisturizer, and silicone gel. As a matter of fact, it produces two types of collagen, Type I and III. As a result, the collagen production will be adequate and yet not excessive and thus leads to the formation of scars.

So, if next time you find yourself dealing with scars from a second degree burn that will not go away, don’t be panic or alarmed.