Children at home are like little suns in our lives, bringing us joy and warmth. However, household accidents can catch us off guard, especially when they involve children. Recently, I came across a post online by a parent who mentioned that her 5-year-old son had a severe burn on his foot last year and now has a large blister that is very swollen and red. Today, let’s discuss some common knowledge about burns, scar hypertrophy, and scar removal cream!
First, let’s understand scar hypertrophy. Generally, wounds heal and return to normal skin. However, if it’s a second-degree burn, the kind with blisters, hypertrophic scarring can occur. This is because the patient’s fibroblasts become overly active, producing an excess of collagen during wound repair, leading to the spread and growth of the scar. Moreover, the scar appears prominently red due to the presence of numerous tiny blood vessels.
Usually, blisters caused by burns will subside naturally. However, depending on the size of the blister, medical attention may be necessary. If the blister is small and inconspicuous, proper wound care should suffice. But if the blister is large, affecting daily life – like the parent’s son who couldn’t even wear shoes – medical attention is needed. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines, and regularly clean the wound to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
The parent mentioned that she had used olive oil to treat her son’s wound, as recommended by a doctor. However, olive oil might not provide the best moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects for this type of burn wound. Some people might choose to use scar removal cream. However, scar removal cream is not a cure-all; it may be effective for stable and small wounds, but for massive hypertrophic scars, other treatments such as corticosteroid injections, cryotherapy, or laser therapy may be needed.
So, how should one deal with a burn? First, cool the affected area with room temperature water until it feels cool. Next, avoid tearing off clothing stuck to the wound to prevent worsening the injury. Moreover, do not puncture the blister, as it serves to protect the wound and reduce the chances of infection. Puncturing the blister may expose the wound to bacteria, causing inflammation, discharge, swelling, and pain, and even lead to hypertrophic scarring. Keeping the wound clean should lead to gradual recovery within a few weeks.
Many hazards are hidden within households, especially for children. Common burn accidents include parents placing hot soup or tea on living room tables, which then get knocked over and burn young children, or children being burned by recently used irons, curling irons, and other appliances. Parents should be vigilant, store appliances properly or place them out of reach after use to prevent children from easily accessing them.
In summary, when children at home suffer burns, parents should understand related knowledge and avoid panic. Treatment of burns, hypertrophic scars, and the use of scar removal cream depend on individual cases, and seeking timely medical attention when needed is crucial. Parents should also strengthen their care for children, raise awareness of household safety hazards, and let children grow in a safe and joyful environment.