Having a burn can be a traumatic experience. Whether getting one after burning yourself with a hair curler or cooking, or even a chemical burn, here are ways to ensure you keep your beauty after a burn incident. Read on to discover how to avoid scarring and blistering below.
1. What to do Immediately After a Burn
After a burn, immediately rinse exposed skin with cold water. You’ll want to keep it there for at least 10 minutes. If you don’t have access to running water, look for other sources such as a cold compress. Does the burn look severe or extensive? It would be best if you did this twice at a minimum. If you need professional support, hospitals such as Everest Rehab can offer much-needed experience and advice.
Next, to reduce swelling and protect your skin, apply an antibacterial ointment. A natural alternative would be to use Aloe vera, which is an anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties. It would be best to do this 2-3 times per day to keep the burn slightly moist.
Then, you’ll need to cover the burn with a clean bandage. This will prevent any infection and further irritation to your skin. Make sure your dressing is non-stick and completely sterile. The last thing you want is an infection.
If your burn forms a blister, don’t be tempted to pop it, it’s there for a very good reason. To protect your skin, popping the blister leaves the wound prone to infection and may cause scarring.
2. How Long Does It Take for a Burn to Heal?
Usually, most burns will heal in just a couple of weeks. However, severe burns can take considerably longer. If you suffer a bad burn, you should seek medical help from a doctor or specialist.
3. How to Stop a Burn from Scarring?
The best way to prevent a scar from forming is to make sure you do these three things immediately after the burn:
Keep it Clean:
If you have a significant burn, you’ll need to clean your skin multiple times a day. It would be best if you use mild soaps and sterile wipes. This is especially important if the burn has blisters and scabs.
Keep it covered
You should also ensure that the burn is not left uncovered. It’s important to keep it covered and protected for at least two weeks. Also, ensure you don’t go out in too much direct sunlight, as this could lead to hyperpigmentation or scarring of your skin.
Keep the Burn Moist:
Moisturizing your skin with water will prevent your skin from drying out and help keep you burning clean and free of bacteria infections. Use a simple antibacterial cream to help with this.
4. When Should You Seek Professional Help
If your burn is very deep, you should never attempt to dress it yourself. Also, if your burn is larger than 3 Inches, make sure you seek professional help as soon as possible.
If your burn starts to smell or becomes very painful, you should seek medical assistance, which could be a sign of infection.
Another thing to keep in mind, if your burn is severe, you should avoid touching the area at all; only touch it with clean and sterile hands. Continuing to touch the wound could cause infections and the risk of necrosis in which dead cells can form and begin not to heal well.
