bioskinregeneration.com

Our skin is the main barrier that keeps us protected from infection as well as regulating the heat and humidity exchange with the environment. If it is burned, our skin loses these abilities.

While burns on fingers and hands are usually not dangerous, they will cause swelling. In fact, burns of the face and neck can sometimes swell enough to produce difficulty breathing and restrict blood flow. If you feel symptoms such as shortness of breath or a tingling sensation in your extremities, call your doctor immediately.

How to Deal with Chemical Burns

Many chemical burns are accidental and cause by the misuse of products such as those for hair, skin, and nail care or commonly used cleaning products. With minor chemical burns you can take the following steps to treat them:

* Remove the products by flushing them off the skin surface with cool, running water for at least 20 minutes. If the burning chemical is a powder-like substance, brush it off the skin before flushing. . *Remove clothes that have been contaminated by the chemical.

*Use a cool, wet cloth to alleviate pain and wrap the burned area loosely with a dry, sterile dressing.

*Rewash the burned area for several more minutes if the burning sensation increases after the initial washing.

If the burn is severe or is accompanied by symptoms such as shock, fainting, paleness or shallow breathing, you must seek call 911immediately. Also seek out medical attention if the burn has caused a second degree burn or covers an area more than three inches in diameter, if the burn has occurred on the eye, hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint or if over-the-counter drugs cannot control the pain.

How to Deal with Electrical Burns

Electrical burns are provoked by an external electrical shock. They may seem insignificant in the beginning, but the damage can extend deep within the body's tissues. Strong electrical currents can cause internal damage, such as heart arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

You should always seek out medical attention instantly when a person has suffered this type of burn. While you are waiting for help to arrive, follow the steps detailed below.

The first steps to helping someone who has experienced a chemical burn are quite simple: look first and then touch. The person may still be in contact with the the source of electricity. Next, turn off the source of electricity if possible or move it away from the injured person using a non conducting object.

Then, check for breathing and a pulse. Begin CPR immediately if you cannot find signs of either. Finally prevent shock by keeping their legs elevated and protect the damaged area with a sterile gauze bandage, if available. Do not use a towel or blanket to cover the wound because loose fibers could get stuck to the wound.

Scar Treatment for Burns

Both chemical and electrical burns have the potential to leave behind scars. There are a few treatment options in these cases ranging from creams to surgery.

The loss in elasticity that is usual in scars can be regained with specialized creams. These creams can also help dissolve scar tissue. Nevertheless in some cases, scar removal through surgical procedures is is the best option.