Fire-Related Injuries
About Burns
Scar Healing and Recovery
Scars are initially sensitive to touch. The secondary gain of wearing
a garment is that it protects the graft site from trauma. People
cannot return to contact sports for a minimum of three years after
graft surgery. Silicone or foam is used around areas that can develop
web scarring (between digits) or areas that were deep and may have
healed after a long time. Hypertrophic scarring may need some special
attention to mold it and prevent collagen abnormalities from forming
during healing. Scar tissue is also frequently itchy. The more upset
or overheated one gets, the itchier they become. At this stage meds
used to treat neuropathic pain may be introduced.
Scars remain hot and raised for 2-3 years following a burn. The
person must keep up with exercise and scar management guidelines
during this time. People can lose parts of or entire digits or limbs
if they have complications from the burn.
Information courtesy of Ann Burkhardt,
OTR/L,
a fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association
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