Burns are considered among the most painful injuries, especially if they are severe enough to cause nerve damage. This type of injury can also lead to permanent scarring. What can you do to prevent scarring if you suffer a burn injury? Here’s what you should know.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are commonly related to exposure to flames or heat, but they can also result from exposure to:
- Extreme cold
- Electricity
- Chemicals
- Radiation
Burn injuries may occur in the home or workplace or as a result of a car accident.
It is estimated that roughly 400,000 Americans are treated for burn injuries each year, with over 3,000 cases resulting in death.
Different Types of Burn Injuries
Burns can range from mild to severe and are separated into three main categories — first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns. How can you tell which level of burn you have?
First Degree
This type of burn is regarded as superficial, affecting only the outer layer of skin — the epidermis. Examples of this type of burn include a mild sunburn or a chemical burn from an airbag deploying during a vehicle collision. Symptoms of first-degree burns include redness, dryness, itching, swelling, and pain, but no blisters.
Second Degree
Second-degree burns, also called partial-thickness burns, affect both the epidermis and the underlying dermis. Symptoms include dark red discoloration and shiny appearance of the skin, as well as blisters, swelling, peeling, and pain.
Third Degree
The most serious classification of burns, third-degree or full-thickness burns, affect the epidermis, dermis, and the underlying fat layer, or hypodermis. This type of burn can also damage structures like hair follicles, sweat glands, and nerve endings.
Symptoms include white or black discoloration of the skin, along with a leathery appearance. The area around the burn may feature signs of a second-degree burn. Numbness at the burn site is common because of damage to nerve endings.
Deeper burns may be categorized as fourth-degree (reaching subcutaneous fat), fifth-degree (reaching muscle), and sixth-degree (reaching bone). Such injuries are less common than first-, second-, and third-degree burns.
Treating Burn Injuries
First-degree burns can typically be treated at home with cool compresses, topical treatments like aloe vera gel or antibiotic cream (depending on the cause), and a loose bandage. Over-the-counter pain medication can help with pain symptoms.
Second-degree burns can often be treated at home as well, especially if they affect less than 10% of the body. A doctor may order additional treatment, such as prescription antibiotic cream and elevation of the affected area.
Third-degree burns are much more serious and will require medical attention. If you have third-degree (or more serious) burns, you may have to stay in the hospital for monitoring, IV fluids, and pain management, at the very least. Skin grafting is a common treatment for significant third-degree burns.
How To Prevent Scarring After Suffering a Burn Injury
Whether you suffer a serious burn from a house fire, a car accident, or an explosion at a chemical plant, you might naturally have concerns about scarring. Minor burns that heal within about two weeks are unlikely to leave a lasting scar, although it could depend on factors like your age, ethnicity, and where the burn is located.
If a burn injury takes more than 2-3 weeks to heal, the possibility of permanent scarring increases. Prompt and proper treatment can help to reduce scarring.
Hypertrophic – or raised – scars can be treated with compression garments, silicone gel sheets, or massage. Laser treatment could also be an option. For more significant burns, grafting may be the best option to prevent scarring and improve healing.
Contact the Undefeated Houston Burn Injury Lawyers from Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact our Undefeated Burn Injury attorneys in Texas at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours