What should be done to treat a second degree burn

Treatment Options for Burn Injury Wound Care Antibiotic an-ti-bahy-OT-ik ointments or creams are often used to prevent or treat infections in patients with second-degree burns. Skin Grafts Larger areas of third degree full thickness burns are treated with skin grafts. Sheet grafts are usually applied to the face or hands for better cosmetic effect.

Sheet graft uses the whole piece of skin without the holes in it. It gives a better cosmetic appearance but requires much more skin to cover a specific area. Newly healed grafts are very fragile. Special care should be taken to protect them. Be careful not to bump, rub, or scratch them. Do not wear rough clothing or anything that rubs; this can cause blistering. Meshed grafts are used for larger wounds. For permanent wound coverage, a piece of your own skin is taken from another part of the body donor skin to close the open area.

When the donor skin is taken off the body, it shrinks. To stretch the donor skin, it is put through a machine that makes small slits or holes in the skin. This stretched skin covers a larger area than an unmeshed sheet graft, but leaves a permanent mesh pattern similar to fish net stockings. The wound heals as the areas between the mesh and the holes fill in with new skin. Once the mesh sheet sticks to the skin and the drainage stops, the wound is considered healed and can be left open to air.

Lotion can be used to keep it moist. Full-thickness grafts are used for reconstruction of small areas that are prone to contracture such as the hand or chin. It consists of the full thickness of the skin and shrink the least compared to other grafts. Moisturizing Moisturizing will be very important after burn injury.

Once the skin is closed and no longer draining, it is important to keep it well moisturized. This decreases the chances of developing blisters or skin tears. It also decreases itching and can make movement easier. There are many different lotions available. Lotions in bottles have a higher water content. They are also easier to apply. They often need to be applied frequently.

Lotions in tubes and jars are thicker. They need to be massaged in more thoroughly. They last longer on your skin. Unscented lotion should be applied and massaged into the scar several times per day. Unscented lotion is important — ask your doctor for recommendations.

Applying lotion is a good time to touch your scars using light pressure; touching your scars is helpful in keeping them from getting sensitive. It is also a good time to do a little stretching.

Blisters Newly healed skin is fragile. Minor shearing rubbing force on the scar can cause blisters. Blisters also can develop from clothes that fit too tightly, shearing while putting on pressure garments, or rubbing or scratching the burn scar. Second-degree burns, or partial thickness burns, are more severe than first-degree burns.

They affect the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis, and part of the second layer of skin, called the dermis. Second-degree burns can be very painful and often take several weeks to heal.

Burns that affect large areas of skin can cause serious complications and may be prone to infection. In this article, learn more about second-degree burns, including the symptoms and when to see a doctor. Doctors categorize burns according to the amount of damage they cause to the skin and surrounding tissue. Second-degree burns can be relatively minor, such as when a burn from a stove or iron burns deeper into the skin.

They can also be very serious and even life-threatening. Second-degree burns can cause serious infections, especially if they cover large areas of the body or if a person does not receive the right treatment. Physical sources of heat, such as the sun and stoves, can cause second-degree burns. Certain chemicals, including bleach and other cleaning products, can also cause burns. Accidental injuries are a common reason for second-degree burns. For example, a child might place their hand on a hot burner.

Any serious burn, especially on exposed areas of the skin or on large sections of the body, warrants a trip to the doctor. A person who develops a fever or feels ill after sustaining a burn may have an infection. A doctor or other healthcare professional can diagnose the severity of a burn by looking at it. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Top of the page. Topic Overview For many second-degree burns , home treatment is all that is needed for healing and to prevent other problems. Rinse the burn Rinse burned skin with cool water until the pain stops.

Rinsing will usually stop the pain in 15 to 30 minutes. The cool water lowers the skin temperature and stops the burn from becoming more serious. You may: Place arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or toes in a basin of cool water.

Use sunscreen when your child is old enough, usually at 6 months. Keep cleaning products and other chemicals in a safe place. If they are under a sink, use a lock on the cabinet door. Teach children never to play with matches and lighters and keep these items away from young children.

Your child may need to see his or her provider often to check and treat the burn. As the burn heals, the area will be itchy. Apply cream as instructed by your child's healthcare provider.