Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - How to prevent a burn from leaving a scar?

Martian · 06-10-2006, 10:33 AM

Burn treatment 101, from a former baker :

Immediately upon burning yourself, immerse the affected area in cool water. Ideally, you should immerse the burn for 10-15 minutes; if that isn't possible wrap a cool, damp cloth over it and change periodically. The goal is to reduce the temperature of the tissue. If you're fast and the burn isn't bad, you may be able to reduce the severity and avoid blistering.

If the burn blisters, add a bandage and change as necessary. Be very gentle and do not pop the blister - doing so will increase the risk of infection, which will worsen any scarring. Use vitamin E on it once or twice daily until the scar fades.

Vitamin E is effective on new scars, but nothing short of time or cosmetic surgery will remove a scar completely. If you use aloe or a cream, you should be able to bring down the swelling and redness and will make the scar you do end up with less noticeable.

A second degree burn will scar - a first degree burn may or may not, depending on how bad it is. Any third degree burn requires immediate medical treatment, but if you ever get one you won't need me telling you that. Third degree burns will leave permanent scars, but milder burn scars will fade over time. I have very few of my scars left from my days baking - the ones that are still there are the ones I didn't cool off immediately.

06-10-2006, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Burn treatment 101, from a former baker : Immediately upon burning yourself, immerse the affected area in cool water. Ideally, you should immerse the burn for 10-15 minutes; if that isn't possible wrap a cool, damp cloth over it and change periodically. The goal is to reduce the temperature of the tissue. If you're fast and the burn isn't bad, you may be able to reduce the severity and avoid blistering. If the burn blisters, add a bandage and change as necessary. Be very gentle and do not pop the blister - doing so will increase the risk of infection, which will worsen any scarring. Use vitamin E on it once or twice daily until the scar fades. Vitamin E is effective on new scars, but nothing short of time or cosmetic surgery will remove a scar completely. If you use aloe or a cream, you should be able to bring down the swelling and redness and will make the scar you do end up with less noticeable. A second degree burn will scar - a first degree burn may or may not, depending on how bad it is. Any third degree burn requires immediate medical treatment, but if you ever get one you won't need me telling you that. Third degree burns will leave permanent scars, but milder burn scars will fade over time. I have very few of my scars left from my days baking - the ones that are still there are the ones I didn't cool off immediately. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame