Burns and How to Treat Them

It is useful to know the degrees in which burns are distinguished so that we can treat them appropriately. In general, burns are distinguished into first, second and third degree depending on the outcome they have in the immediate period that follows. As the degree increases, the severity of the condition increases. More specifically, this distinction is as follows:

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First-degree burns are also called superficial burns because they usually cause minor skin damage. They only affect the top layer of skin and usually do not require medical treatment. Signs of a first-degree burn are redness of the skin accompanied by intense pain when touched. This usually includes sunburn in most cases. First-degree burns are usually treated at home without medical supervision and with the help of a suitable moisturizing soothing cream. Healing is achieved in 3-5 days.

Second-degree burns affect deeper layers of the skin and require treatment.You will understand that your burn belongs to this category by the presence of blisters that secrete fluid, intense pain as well as redness and swelling in the burn area. Second-degree burns can be treated at home but with the use of appropriate means. It is quite important not to break the blisters that are created as the wound needs moisture to heal.

^Second- degree burns are divided into 2A (superficial partial thickness) and 2B (deep partial thickness), according to the literature. Essentially, 2A degree burns, although they penetrate deeper layers of the skin, are more superficial and heal without leaving a scar within 10-12 days. On the contrary, 2B degree burns penetrate even deeper and require surgical treatment.

In the case of a third-degree burn, the burn penetrates all layers of the skin, even the muscles, nerves or bones. The total destruction of the nerves leads the patient to a state where he does not feel pain and requires immediate treatment. Usually the burned area is stiff. Of course, this condition is quite serious and is treated with medical surgical treatment with a skin graft.

A burn naturally causes discomfort and difficulty in everyday life, either to a lesser or greater extent, depending on the severity of the condition. For this reason, immediate treatment and care of the wound reduces healing time and at the same time accelerates the return to the rhythm of everyday life.

Unfortunately, burns are a condition that each of us has encountered at least once. In our daily lives, whether due to carelessness at home or due to other external factors, it is quite easy to suffer a burn. A typical example is the burn from boiling water or oil in our kitchen.

So knowing the right ways to treat them is particularly useful for protecting both ourselves and those around us. Common practices applied in cases of burns are the use of toothpaste or ice due to the easy and immediate accessibility to one of them. However, such treatment is not advisable as it may increase the possibility of infection of your wound.

Since a burn is essentially an open wound, there is always a risk of infection. But how do you know if your burn is infected?

First, place the burned area under running cold water for about 15-20 minutes to relieve the pain immediately after the injury. At this point, we should remember that the use of ice should be avoided. After we have cooled the wound, we disinfect it with a liquid solution called Prontosan Wound Irrigation Solution by B Braun. According to clinical studies, the ideal antiseptic should have high activity against Gram (+) and Gram (-) microbes, viruses and fungi, the ability to penetrate burn eschars, prolonged action, painless application and the absence of discoloration on the burned surfaces. Prontosan has all of the above characteristics while at the same time breaking down and preventing the reappearance of biofilm , a membrane that is created on the wound surface, attracting a multitude of bacteria and microbes that are dangerous for infection. In addition, it is mild as it has a neutral pH which makes it friendly to your skin.

The Prontosan product family provides comprehensive effective care for your wounds thanks to its revolutionary formula with Betaine , a mild effective surfactant, and Polyhexanide (PHMB) 0.1%, a highly effective modern broad-spectrum antimicrobial. It creates a 24-hour antimicrobial film, thus preventing the re-proliferation, spread and transmission of microbes. At the same time, the burn must always be kept clean and hydrated, so as to accelerate and facilitate the healing process. Thus, Prontosan products contribute to maintaining the necessary moisture for the wound, contributing to faster healing.