Avoid Hot Water and Cold 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 a major 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 liquids and gases are what usually cause hot water burns. The injury is usually local and is rarely life threatening. To prevent hot water burns:
*Turn down the water heater to 120 °.
*Test bath water before putting a child in it. If the water feels hot to you, it may burn the 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 for medical attention at once
*Keep the burned area under cool, running water until help arrives
*Do not remove skin or clothing from the affected area
*Keep burned limbs in an elevated position
Frostbite results from long term exposure to cold objects such as snow or ice. Cold burns can be the result of wet clothing, high winds and poor circulation. Tight clothing and conditions like cramped positions, some medications, smoking or alcohol are other causes.
To help decrease the possibility of frostbite, wear appropriate clothing in the winter. Winter clothes like mittens, layered clothing that is wind-proof and water resistant gives good protection. If you or someone you know have developed frostbite you should:
*Find shelter in a warm place
*Bandage the affected areas with sterile cloth 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 start 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 severe damage due to the potential re-freezing of thawed extremities.
The Treatment of Burn Scars
Severe burns will leave scars. Surgery and specialized creams are two ways in which burn scars can be treated.
Since scars become less pliable they do not allow for a normal range of motion. Lotions can help moisturized the scarred tissue and help with the dissolution of old scars. In some cases, however, scar removal through surgical procedures is necessary.
Natural scar treatment including the use of lotions and creams can be an effective 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