Learn how to Avoid Skin Burns
Our skin controls the amount of heat exchange between us and our environment, it manages the amount of fluid loss and protects us from infection. For this reason, a burn is not an insignificant occurrence because it destroys our skin. Therefore, learning to avoid burns is an important part of keep your skin healthy.
Learning to Avoid Hot Water Burns
Hot water burns are caused by hot liquids or gases. The injury is usually local and is rarely life threatening. Nevertheless, you can help prevent burns by:
*Turn down the water heater to 120 degrees.
*Test bath water before putting a child in it. If the water seems hot to you, it will burn a child.
*Put the child in the bath with their back to the faucet so they can't turn the water on.
If you have a severe burn or if the burn occurs around face, hands, genitalia or feet or if a child or person over 65 is burned:
*Call 911 at once
*Keep the burned area under cool, running water until help arrives
*Do not remove skin or clothing from the injured area
*Keep burned limbs in an elevated position
Frostbite results from long term exposure to cold objects such as snow or ice. Wet clothing, high winds and poor circulation are some of the contributing factors that can lead to cold burns or frostbite. Tight clothing and conditions like cramped positions, some medications, alcohol or smoking are other factors.
To help prevent frostbite, wear appropriate clothing in the winter. Winter apparel like mittens, layered clothing that is wind-proof and water resistant provide good protectection. Nonetheless, if you or someone you know have developed frostbite you should:
*Seek shelter in a warm place
*Bandage the affected areas with sterile dressing taking care to keep fingers and toes separate.
*Remove constricting or wet clothes
*Keep the victim hydrated with warm liquids
Only once the person has been taken to a permanent, safe location, can you begin the re warming process. This can be done by immersing the affected parts in warm, circulating water or by applying warm clothing to the injured areas for 20-30 minutes. Do not attempt this process if you have not reache a permanent, safe location because there is the danger of serious damage due to the potential re-freezing of thawed extremities.
The Treatment of Burn Scars
The scars resulting from burns can be treated in several ways. Creams or lotions and surgery are two options.
Since scars become less supple they do not allow for a normal range of motion. Lotions can help moisturized the scar tissue and help with the dissolution of old scars. In some cases, however, scar removal through surgical procedures is necessary.
Natural scar treatment consisting of the use of lotions and creams can be an valuable burn scar treatment by helping you with scar exfoliation. Check out the rest of our products for scar treatments and other skin conditions.
Published February 20th, 2009
Filed in Health