Vitality News Health Articles

Our skin handles the amount of heat our bodies retain or release, holds in fluids, and defends us from infection. When it is burned, our skin loses these capabilities.

Burns on fingers and hands are not usually dangerous, but any burn will cause swelling. In fact, burns of the face and neck can produce enough inflammation to cause difficulty breathing and restrict blood flow. If you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or a prickling sensation in your extremities, call for medical assistance immediately.

How to Deal with Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are usually accidental due to the misuse of common household products such as skin, hair or nail care products or cleaning products. With minor chemical burns you can take the following steps to treat them:

* Remove the chemicals by flushing the affected area 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 any clothing that has been come in contact with the chemical.

*Apply a cool, wet cloth to relieve pain and cover the burned area loosely with a dry, sterile dressing.

*Rewash the burned area for a few more minutes if the burning sensation intensifies after the initial washing.

But if the burn is more severe or causes symptoms such as shock, fainting, paleness or shallow breathing, you must call 911 immediately. Also seek out medical attention if the burn has caused a second degree burn or involves an area more than 3 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 caused by an external electrical shock. They may seem unimportant, but the injury can extend deep into the skin tissues. Strong electrical currents can produce internal damage, such as a heart rhythm disturbance or cardiac arrest.

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

Frist look and then touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. 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. If absent, begin CPR right away. Finally prevent shock by keeping their legs elevated and protect the damaged area with a sterile gauze, if available. Do not use a towel or blanket to cover the wound because loose filament could get stuck to the burned area.

Treating Chemical and Electrical Burn Scars

It is highly probable that chemical and electrical burns will leave scars. There are several treatment alternatives in these cases ranging from creams to surgery.

Since scars become less elastic, they do not allow for the normal range of motion leading to pain and frustration. Lotions can help moisturized the scarred tissue and help with the dissolution of old scars. In some cases,however, scar removal through surgical procedures is the only alternative.

Burn scar treatment is essential to keep your skin resilient after the formation of scars. This could include natural scar treatment in the form of creams like Bioskinrevival that will help you with scar exfoliation. Check out the rest of our lotions for scar treatments and other skin issues.

- Samara Al Romaithi