Burn Treatment
Treatment for burns can vary depending on the severity and the extensiveness of each case. Treatments can vary from applying a cream to having skin graft surgery.
First and Second Degree
For most first degree burns, the wound can be treated with the application of topical cream or aloe vera gel. Most second degree burns have similar treatment, but doctors may prescribe a stronger antibiotic cream. However, some second degree burns are more severe and can damage various nerve endings, sweat glands, and hair follicles in which case patients may need a skin graft surgery.
Herbal Remedies
For minor burns, herbal remedies can alleviate pain and help with the healing process. Most commonly used is aloe vera which can be applied externally to soothe the affected area. Calendula is a plant that comes in the form of ointment. This plant’s herbal properties help prevent infection and heal injuries to body tissues.
Propolis is a resin-like material made by bees. Propolis is used to fight infection and has anti-inflammatory effects. In terms of burns, propolis can help with swelling when applied to minor burns.
Third Degree Burns
Third degree burns are usually very severe and can be life-threatening. For treating third degree burns, skin graft surgeries are performed where healthy skin from an uninjured area of the body is used to replace the damaged skin.
Skin Grafts
There are several types of skin graft surgeries that are used in different cases depending on the extensiveness of the burn and resources available. If a person has enough healthy skin on their own body to cover the damaged area, an autograft is performed where a person’s own skin is used as the skin graft. If a person does not have enough healthy skin on their own body, they may opt for an allograft where skin is taken from the skin bank through donors. Patients may also choose to have a mesh graft where a skin graft is meshed through a machine to make it stretched to cover a larger area.
Image from Vascular Skin Clinics
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