Types of Burns and Treatments

Your skin is the largest organ on your body. It’s actually very resilient given all the stresses it is exposed to every day! One thing that can change and damage the skin like no other is a burn. Every burn is different, and burns can be difficult to treat. The best way to keep your skin healthy is to avoid burns! That’s easy to say for something like a sunburn, which can be prevented by avoiding the sun or using sunscreen. But more severe burns are not always easy to prevent. Here’s the skinny on the types of burns and how to treat them.

Types of Burns

Most burns can be classified into one of three types. These include:

First-Degree (Superficial) Burns

Examples of first-degree burns include mild sunburn or a burn resulting from a short rendezvous between your finger and a hot stove. First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, and they do not have blisters. First-degree burns rarely result in long-term tissue damage.

Second-Degree (Partial Thickness) Burns

A second-degree burn damages both the epidermis (outermost layer) and dermis (secondary layer) of the skin. Blisters, swelling, redness and more severe pain than a first-degree burn often identify second-degree burns. The blisters are caused by the heat from the burn causing blood vessels to dilate, allowing the plasma to escape into the skin.

Third-Degree (Full Thickness) Burns

These are the most severe burns, and destroy the epidermis and the dermis, often damaging muscles, bones or tendons normally protected by the skin. Someone suffering from a third-degree burn may not feel pain at the site, as this type of burn can damage the nerve endings. A third-degree burn will appear charred and white, having been damaged beyond blisters or redness. Rather than escaping into the skin, the blood plasma being released from the vessels will escape from the body, which can cause a loss of fluids and result in the body going into shock.

Causes of Burns

Burns can be caused by a variety of things. Below are the most common classifications for burns.

• Thermal (heat) burns are caused by external heat sources that cause the skin’s temperature to rise. Things like hot liquids, metals or flames can cause thermal burns.
• Radiation burns are caused by exposure to some form of radiation, such as x-ray machines or the sun.
• Chemical burns are the type of burn you might expect to get in a science lab. Acids, detergents, solvents or other chemicals can often burn skin.
• Electrical burns are what they sound like. They’re caused by contact with an electrical current. Someone suffering from an electrical burn may have other issues beyond burned skin.

How to Treat Burns

Treatment will depend on several factors, including the age of the patient, severity of the burn and the cause of the burn. Unless the burn is very minor and has no sign of blistering, you should see a doctor. Here are a few best practices to consider.

For Minor Burns

Sunburns or other first-degree burns can be treated at home. Consider the following treatment options:

• Sunburns – Use aloe vera or cool washcloths to relieve the burning sensation. While nothing will prevent the peeling that results from a bad sunburn, lotion may help with the itchiness. The best way to treat a sunburn is not to get one!
• Minor burns (like from a hot pot) – Run cool water over the affected area and use a hydrocortisone cream to treat the burn. Never use ice! It can damage the skin tissue. Use an over-the-counter medication (like ibuprofen) to treat pain as necessary.
• Don’t smoke! Smoking can decrease blood supply, delaying tissue repair.
• Watch for an infection or worsening symptoms. If you experience these things, see a doctor immediately.
• See our previous post on wound care (link) for more information on caring for the affected area.

For Severe Burns

If a burn is blistering or oozing, see a doctor immediately! The oozing means that the burn has damaged more than just your outer layer of skin, and may have gotten through the dermis (secondary layer) as well. As mentioned earlier in this post, this loss of fluid can result in a patient going into shock.

For the Scarring

Severe burns often cause scarring, because the skin can regenerate only from the edges. That’s why skin grafts are often necessary. If you have a scarred area on your face or other area, it is sometimes possible to reduce the visibility of the scarring by using certain fillers or other cosmetic solutions. Talk to your dermatologist if you have questions about these options.

Have any questions about burns or burn treatments? Leave them in the comments and I’ll try to answer them there. 

Treating and Preventing Varicose Veins

 

What are they?

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that are usually dark blue or purple. Varicose veins are most commonly found in the legs, particularly the calves, but they can form in any part of the body. A healthy working vein has a one-way valve that carries blood from the body to the heart, keeping the blood from stagnating or flowing back. An unhealthy vein, in this case a varicose vein, occurs when the valves within the vein become weakened or damaged, allowing the blood to flow back toward the heart and accumulate in the vein(s). When this occurs, the vein becomes enlarged and swollen, making it varicose.

Signs and Symptoms

Common symptoms can include:

• Bulging, swelling and/or twisting of the vein(s)
• A weak feeling in legs and muscles
• Cramping pain in legs when resting
• Heavy limbs
• Itching or aching of the affected area

Severe case complications:

• In severe cases, the varicose vein may rupture from the thinning of the skin above the affected vein.
• The affected veins are more susceptible to ulcers.
• Blood clots may develop in deep varicose veins.
• The affected veins are prone to inflammation, also known as phlebitis.

Causes

Varicose veins are very common and may occur anywhere in the human body. When a vein becomes less flexible and weak, the valves within the vein become faulty. Many theories exist as to why varicosities occur in the veins, but overall the consensus is that defective valves within the vein are the leading cause. That being said, here are a few other factors that may contribute to the development of varicose veins:

• Age: Varicose veins usually develop between the ages of 30 and 60 years and tend to worsen with time.
• Genetics: Varicose veins often run in families.
• Sex: Recent studies have shown that females are more susceptible to varicose veins than males.
• Pregnancy: A pregnant woman has much more blood in her body, which puts additional pressure on the circulatory system, raising the risk of forming varicose veins.
• Excess weight: Excess fat places added pressure on the veins of the lower limbs, making it easier for varicose veins to develop.
• Hormonal factors: A change in hormone levels can cause the walls of the blood vessels to relax and expand, which causes the vein to become weak and more vulnerable to varicosities.
• Chronic constipation: Constant pushing may contribute to the development of rectal varicose veins, also known as hemorrhoids.
• Lifestyle: Experts say that some jobs that require standing and walking for prolonged periods of time, which places extra pressure on the veins of the lower limbs, can contribute to the formation of varicose veins. Gravity pulls blood down to your legs and feet when you are standing up or sitting down. The veins have to work extra hard to get that blood back up to the heart, and some of those veins can wear out over time.

Treatment/Prevention

Varicose veins can be tender, painful and, more importantly, unsightly, unwanted and just plain annoying. There is no guaranteed method for preventing varicose veins, but there are steps you can take now to help decrease your chances of developing them.

First and foremost, daily exercise is the best way to get your blood flowing and moving. A happy and healthy body keeps your veins happy and healthy, too! Keep moving and your body will love you for it. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight, elevating your legs when resting and avoiding constipation are all good habits to form.

If you already have varicose veins, it’s good to know that they are harmless. Although they may not look pleasant, they usually do not require treatment.  Exercising, losing weight, avoiding tight clothes, elevating your legs as much as possible and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting can all ease the pain and also help prevent varicose veins from worsening.

If you don’t like the way varicose veins look or if you experience extreme swelling, aching, discomfort or complications, like ulcers, treatment might be necessary. Here are a few options for treatment of varicose veins:

1. Compression stockings
2. Sclerotherapy
3. Laser treatment
4. Mini-stab avulsion
5. Vein stripping
6. Radiofrequency ablation
7. Endoscopic vein surgery
8. Ambulatory phlebectomy

Be cautious when it comes to your treatment options for varicose veins. Advertisements claiming “painless” or “permanent” methods to remove veins may not live up to those claims. As always, it is important to communicate with your doctor in full detail about the health risks, side effects and costs of surgery.

For more information about ADSCA and our services, please click here to visit our website.

Dealing with Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is uncomfortable for children, annoying for parents and, unfortunately, doesn’t always end after potty training. Diaper rash is a common condition infants develop because they are dependent upon someone else to clean them. Almost all children younger than 2 will experience diaper rash at some point. It doesn’t make you a bad parent, and it isn’t a reason to be alarmed! But it must be addressed.

Although diaper rash is most commonly associated with infants, it can also be seen in people with incontinence or who are paralyzed. Most commonly, diaper rash is an abrasion, similar to chafing while exercising. The red, tender irritation is a result of a combination of moist materials rubbing against sensitive skin. Here’s the skinny on what causes this rash and how to treat it.

Causes

For infants, diaper rash is typically the result of continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers. However, introducing new foods, a reaction to a new product, a bacterial or yeast infection and the use of antibiotics can contribute to the problem.

Stool and Urine

Lengthy exposure to urine or feces can be irritating to skin. Feces is more irritating than urine, so frequent bowel movements are more likely to cause inflammation.

New Foods

The more solid foods there are in your baby’s diet, the greater the chance for diaper rash. Also, if you are breastfeeding, your diet matters! Eating acidic foods such as citrus, tomatoes, pineapple and raisins can be abrasive to your child’s skin when excreted through the baby’s bowel movements.

New Products

Ingredients in disposable wipes, diapers, detergent, bleach, fabric softener, lotions, powders and oils can be irritating to your baby’s bottom. If your child is experiencing regular rashes, look for products made for sensitive skin when purchasing these items. Also, there is no evidence that clearly shows either cloth or disposable diapers faring better than the other for babies’ bottoms. I recommend using whichever type works best for you and your baby.

Bacterial or Yeast Infections

The warm, moist environment of a diaper creates perfect growing conditions for a bacterial or yeast infection. Make sure to wipe thoroughly in skin folds when changing a dirty diaper.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics have the potential to kill good bacteria, too. This can disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria, causing more harmful bacteria to grow. Be mindful of the above causes when administering antibiotics to your baby, and always discuss your options with your doctor.

Treatment and Prevention

The best thing you can do to prevent diaper rash is to keep your baby’s skin dry and clean. You can also try an over-the-counter diaper rash cream, also known as zinc oxide paste, to soothe the irritation. Different brand choices include: A+D, Balmex, Desitin, Triple Paste and Boudreaux’s Butt Paste.

If you are mindful of the above causes and cleaning your baby’s bottom regularly but are still seeing no change, I urge you to seek a medical professional’s advice. They can recommend a mild hydrocortisone cream, an antifungal cream or antibiotics depending on what they determine the cause to be.

It will take several days for your baby’s skin to heal after a diaper rash. But if the rash persists, you should seek a dermatologist’s consultation.

If you are concerned with the appearance or frequency of your child’s diaper rash, please consult a medical professional for advice. If you have any more questions about diaper rash or other skin conditions, please visit www.advanceddermatologymemphis.com or call 901-759-2322.