[Column] Are you taking care of your wounds and burns correctly?
We've all experienced things like burning our hands with oil splattering while cooking, scraping our knees after falling on the street, or scratching our skin after being bitten by an insect. It's natural to wonder how to care for those minor injuries and burns that occur in everyday life.
In this episode, a doctor answers everyone's questions about scars and burn marks.
Scar and burn care Q&A
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I often hear that applying aloe vera to burns will heal them, but is that really true?
The white, jelly-like pulp that appears when you cut an aloe vera plant is said to have properties that relieve pain, promote skin metabolism, and reduce inflammation. It has been used as a folk remedy for a long time, but there are no medical studies that have verified its effectiveness as a treatment for burns.
Furthermore, bacteria on the leaves can come into direct contact with the wound, potentially causing infection, so applying aloe vera does not guarantee that the burn will heal.
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I was picking at a scar from an injury and ended up picking at the scab. Is it true that picking at scabs makes scars more likely to remain?
That's true. The wound underneath the scab is still in a fragile state and hasn't fully healed, so forcibly removing it will allow bacteria to enter. If you keep picking off scabs and letting more scabs form, the wound will become deeper and wider, so you should stop forcibly removing scabs.
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I got burned and a blister formed. Is it better not to pop it to prevent scarring?
The fluid (lymphatic fluid) inside a blister contains proteins, cells, and growth factors necessary for burn healing. Popping a blister not only causes the loss of these substances but also makes you more susceptible to bacterial infection, so it's best not to pop them.
If the pain does not improve after initial treatment, or if the affected area is large and you feel the condition is not mild, you should visit a medical institution as soon as possible and consult with a specialist doctor.
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I've heard that "peeling" is good for treating existing scars and burn marks. Is that true?
"Peeling" is a process that removes layers of skin and promotes metabolism.
There are various methods of peeling, including chemical peels, laser peels, and physical peels using diamond particles. Peeling using high concentrations of chemicals can only be performed in a hospital setting. Peeling can also be used to treat hyperpigmentation from scars, but this is not something you should do yourself, so if you are interested, consult a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.
First and foremost, it is important to provide appropriate initial treatment to prevent scars or burn marks. However, for those that have already formed, hospitals will determine the treatment method by comprehensively assessing factors such as the size, location, and whether there is sufficient surrounding skin.
Scars and burn marks can, depending on their condition, cause contractures, leading to not only unsightly appearances but also difficulty in movement. Therefore, it is best to consult a surgeon, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon as soon as possible.