What do burn scars look like

Treating these types of burns will depend on its scale and location. Hot water and objects, radiation, friction, electricity, or chemicals can cause second-degree burns. Symptoms include the skin blanching when pressed, blistering, and swelling. These burns calm down within a couple of days. Home treatments include :. Hot oil, grease, or microwaved liquids can cause deeper partial-thickness burns. Symptoms can take a few days to develop, so monitoring the wound is crucial to prevent infection.

People with a more severe second-degree burn should see a healthcare professional for treatment. They may prescribe a course of antibiotics or ointment. In extreme situations, a person may require a skin graft. This is the most severe burn and always requires medical treatment. Because a third-degree burn often destroys nerve endings, a person may not feel any pain when they touch the area.

The skin can become raised, leathery, and dark brown, or waxy and pale. Keep a person who has sustained third-degree burns warm and still. Complications may include :. Severe burns covering a large part of the body may require intravenous antibiotics and skin grafts. Recovery times vary and depend on the location of the burn.

A person may require treatment If blisters burst on a mild-first degree burn, such as on a hand or sunburn. If the burn is more severe, and pain does not settle after a couple of days, a doctor can prescribe antibiotics and recommend further treatment. This includes a specialist burn care service. Chemical burns are the result of exposure to acids, oxidants, bleaches, and gasses. They commonly occur in children. Third-degree burns are serious and often leave visible scarring.

Children and the elderly are most at risk. After car accidents and drowning, burns are the most frequent cause of childhood death. While mild burns are common household injuries and may be very painful, it is possible to treat them at home. However, more severe burns require an expert opinion.

To avoid sunburn, wear sunscreen and a hat. If there are hot appliances in a kitchen, take great care, and use protective gloves around an oven or stove. A first-degree burn is classified as a superficial burn because it only affects the first layer of the skin. First-degree burns can happen for a…. A second-degree burn is more severe than a first-degree burn. It affects the epidermis and dermis, or the outer and second layers of skin. In this…. Chemical burns can happen to anyone and anywhere, and occur when a person is affected by chemicals or their fumes.

A blister is a pocket of fluid that forms between the upper layers of skin. The most common causes are crushed or pinched skin, chemical exposure…. Scars can be unsightly and difficult to remove. Keloid scars occur when the skin overreacts to the injury, after which they grow and darken. This MNT…. How to get rid of burn scars. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.

Types of burn scars Removal Prevention Treatments Complications Outlook We include products we think are useful for our readers. Types of burn scars. Share on Pinterest Blisters may form in second-degree burns. Removing burn scars. Share on Pinterest Silicone gel can be applied to a burn scar to promote healing.

How to prevent scars. How to treat burns. Share on Pinterest Applying gauze bandages to the burn will help to prevent infection. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3.

Related Coverage. What home remedies can treat my burn? Scars: Are they preventable? Tips for treating and reducing hypertrophic scars. Where do blisters come from? How do you get rid of keloids? Here are a few reminders:. Burns can damage or destroy the oil glands that normally keep skin from getting too dry. Partial thickness burns have few oil glands and full thickness burns or skin grafts have no oil glands. The lack of oil glands leads to dry skin. The chaotic organization of collagen in the healed skin may trap nerve endings, which also contributes to itching.

Many patients experience intense itching after their burn. Studies have shown that the larger the burn, the more likely that itching will be a problem. Ask your doctor for recommendations on what moisturizer is best for you. Moisturizers with high water content, such as those that come in a bottle generally soak into the skin faster and will need to be applied more frequently. Moisturizers that come in a tube or jar are generally thicker and have less water, so they need to be applied less frequently.

Be sure to avoid products that you may be allergic to, such as perfumed lotions. The approaches for itching are varied. Keep skin moist is the starting point. Also massage or pressing down firmly on the scars may help. Scratching increases inflammation and will make itching worse. Elastinet garments or custom pressure garments may also help with itching. Medications such as gabapentin or pregabalin which are commonly used for nerve pain have been shown to be the first line medication for itching.

Antihistamines may also be helpful. Talk to your doctor about what medication is right for you. You should never use mineral oil, Vaseline or antibiotic ointments to moisturize your skin. These can lead to allergic reactions and skin breakdown. Do not use antibiotic ointment to lubricate after the wound is healed. You should avoid exposing your healing scars to sunlight. Scars that are discolored and have not matured burn easily. If you go out in the sun, we recommend:. You will need to work closely with your doctor and therapy team to make sure your scars heal as completely as possible.

A strong commitment is required from you and your family member to follow through with the treatment plan to ensure the best scar result. No single treatment is ideal for treating scars.

For many years, custom pressure garments were thought to be the best treatment for hypertrophic scars. Custom fit pressure garments may be useful for decreasing postburn itch and scar formation. The healing process can often seem long and frustrating for a burn survivor and his or her family.

If you have concerns or questions about your healing process or treatments, contact your health care providers. Additional resources for garments and scar products: For more information regarding compression garments, wound care and scar management products, please contact your doctor or therapist so that they can make recommendations based on your specific needs.

Anzarus, A. The effectiveness of pressure garment therapy for the prevention of abnormal scarring after burn injury: a meta-analysis. Durani, P. Edwards, Jacky. Journal of Community Nursing , Esselman, Peter C. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Gabriel, Vincent. Hypertrophic Scar. Urioste, S. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery , Williams, F. Comparison of the characteristics and features of pressure garments used in the management of burn scars. Burns ,