How to quickly and effectively cure a burn? No pain, scarring or infection

Burns, whether caused by the sun or by direct contact with a hot surface or liquid, are common among adults and children. Especially during the holiday season. See how to heal burns quickly and effectively, relieve pain, and reduce the risk of unsightly scars and infections.

Skin burns – what are they?

Skin burns are nothing more than damage to the delicate epidermis. They arise as a result of excessive exposure to sunlight or contact with a substance / surface with high temperature (the one damaging the epidermis is higher than 44 degrees Celsius), as well as with chemicals, including caustic ones. The depth and extent of the burn depends on the degree of tissue damage. Some of them may pose a threat to human health and life.

The greatest number of accidents, also involving children, occur at home, e.g. during summer holidays. Rapid intervention will speed up the skin regeneration process, soothe pain, and reduce the risk of infection and scarring.

Degrees of skin burns

The classification of burns was based on the depth of the lesions and the assessment of the surface of skin lesions.

1. XNUMXst degree burn – only the epidermis with redness and pain changes. Itching may appear after a few days. It does not generally scar. 
2. 20nd degree burns – affects both the epidermis and the dermis. A bladder with serous fluid develops. A burn takes up to XNUMX days to heal and leaves no scarring.
3. IIB degree burns – similar to IIA burns, it affects the dermis and epidermis. The appearance of red spots in the area of ​​the hair follicles is characteristic. It can cause pain, takes weeks to heal, and the risk of scarring is very high.
4. Third degree burn – leads to necrosis of vessels, nerves and adipose tissue. Sometimes it requires a transplant and leaves scars. The skin itself becomes dry to the touch and takes on a pearly-white color. 
5. XNUMXth degree burn – necrosis reaches bone. In the most severe cases, a burned part of the body may even become charred. 

Which preparations for burns to choose?

The home first aid kit (as well as the cosmetic bag that we pack for the holidays) must include preparations in the form of a gel, ointment, spray or cream, which will first clean and disinfect the newly formed wound, and secondly will allow for proper care after a burn, which will speed up the process healing of the epidermis.

It is worth paying attention to products with panthenol in the composition. It is most convenient when they are in the form of foam or cream. This provitamin B5 is associated primarily with a remedy for sunburn for adults and children. It occurs naturally in the skin as well as in the hair and nails. Panthenol supports skin regeneration by accelerating its reconstruction. In addition, it has a soothing effect. There are products on the market with a high content of panthenol and other substances with antibacterial properties, eg Octenisept® cream. It is recommended for minor injuries, with very dry skin, including baby skin (e.g. diaper rash, atopic dermatitis).

As a result of sunburn, the skin is much more red, irritated, and may have a burning sensation. Then, it is necessary to ensure an adequate level of hydration and reduce the risk of infections. In this situation, preparations based on octenidine and hydroxycellulose, eg Octenisept® gel, will be perfect. By applying it to the burn site, you can quickly relieve pain, accelerate skin regeneration and protect it from scarring and infections.

Rules for dealing with burns

A burn can happen at any time. Holidays are conducive not only to sunburn, but also due to contact with a fire or a burning grill. Unfortunately, children are often injured. A sensible parent should be prepared for any eventuality and be knowledgeable about how to deal with a burn wound. Here are the basic rules.

1. Cool the burn wound as soon as possible. It is best to do this under running, cold water for about 10-20 minutes. Continue doing this until the pain is gone. Dry the burn site with a sterile gauze pad. 
2. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the wound. Remove all possible residues, e.g. blood, dirt and, when changing the dressing, also fragments of material. This way, the risk of bacterial infections is reduced and the wound healing process is improved. For cleaning and disinfection, it is worth using products that contain a surfactant, an ingredient supporting cleansing and at the same time an effective and safe antimicrobial substance with proven and quick effectiveness. The recommended substance is octenidine contained in Octenisept® spray preparations.
3. Do not apply products containing alcohol or iodine to a fresh wound. They have a drying and irritating effect. 
4. Apply a gel (3-5 mm) with an antibacterial substance to the wound. This will accelerate regeneration and protect against possible infection. This is especially important when the wound fails to close due to growth, increasing the risk of infection and scarring. The recommended antiseptic substance is octenidine with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Research has shown that it reduces pain and itching, and prevents the dressing from sticking to the wound. 
5. Choose a dressing. It is recommended to choose a mesh dressing and protect it with a bandage or absorbent dressing. If the wound is no longer exuding, you can invest in a hydrocolide dressing.
6. Nurture the wound. Faster healing of a burn wound is only possible with proper care. Remember to change the dressing frequently, disinfect and apply a gel or cream with regenerating and antibacterial properties. 

Attention! If the burn wound is accompanied by exudation, soreness, redness, a foul smell and warmth, it is recommended to use a disinfectant, an antibacterial gel and a dressing, preferably with a silver content. In some cases, you will need to see a doctor or nurse.