Burn Treatments

Burns are very common things. That is why there is a wide variety of burn treatments available today. There are many different kinds of burns, so there are different methods of burn treatments used to treat the different types and degrees of burns.

Some typical burn treatments include topical antibiotics, bandages, therapy (exercise), and applied pressure (usually done with clothing).

Topical antibiotics are one of the most common burn treatments available. They usually come in a cream form that is applied directly to the damaged skin area. These creams protect against infection from bacteria. Since burned skin cells may not be able to ward off germs like healthy skin would be able to, topical antibiotics are commonly applied as an early part of burn treatments. Burned areas are also prone to infection because of the fact that the top layer of skin may have fallen off or burned away, leaving more vulnerable tissue exposed.

As the next step in burn treatments, bandages or gauze is often used to cover the burn. Covering or wrapping burned areas with a bandage offers further protection from bacteria infection. This may also reduce pain, since exposed tissue is more sensitive to circulating air. Sometimes burns blister, or have fluid secretions, so bandages also serve to absorb any of these liquids that may be coming from the affected area.

Burn treatments for burns that cover a larger area, or for third-degree burns may require some exercise therapy. As new skin grows, the burned area might seize and tighten, making it difficult to move that area of the body. The therapy helps to increase flexibility so that further complications do not develop later on. Therapy burn treatments begin early in the healing process and usually continue throughout the entire healing process.

Burn treatments for hands and feet also include the elevation of the extremity. Burns often cause swelling, and the elevation of the burned hand or foot can reduce the inflammation. Decreasing the blood flow through the area reduces the pressure and helps to relieve the pain and swelling.

Another important part of burn treatments is applying pressure to the area. Wrapping the area and applying some pressure to the area can reduce scarring. This is not usually done for first-degree burns because they heal more quickly and usually do no leave scars. More severe burns might use this part of routine burn treatment.

Even with these burn treatments it takes time for affected areas to heal, sometimes several weeks.