Skin Injury
Not all skin injuries are cuts and scrapes. Heat, friction and pressure can cause skin injuries like burns, sunburn and blisters. A burn is a traumatic skin injury caused by a heat source like scalding liquid or a hot pot, a radiation source like the suns rays, an electrical source like open wiring or a chemical source like acid. Depending on the severity of the burn, treatment can include wound care and pain management, skin grafting, intravenous fluids or cosmetic surgery. Some burns can form blisters, which actually act as a protective, fluid-filled buffer for damaged skin. Blisters also form from skin conditions like eczema and friction sources like ill-fitting shoes. Keeping the area clean with antibiotics and a dressing or bandage is usually enough to heal a blister.
Recently Answered
- Q What is a keloid?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineA keloid is an overgrowth of skin that forms during scarring. They occur more often in African Americans (for unknown reasons), and the propensity to make them seems to be hereditary. The remedy isn't as simple as cutting the keloid off; that would... Full Answer
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- Q Why does an incision heal faster than a laceration?
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An incision heals faster than a laceration because straight edges create less surface area to repair than jagged edges. Also, straight edges match up better than jagged edges. (This answer provided for NATA by the Weber State University Athletic... Full Answer
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- Q What are razor bumps or razor burn?
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Razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae, or razor burn) develop after shaving when strands of hair curl back on themselves and grow into the skin, causing irritation and pimples. Razor bumps develop most often on the neck, but they can occur in... Full Answer
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- Q Can an over-the-counter product get rid of scars?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyIt’s nearly impossible to eliminate a scar with a beauty product. Once you have a scar, it’s there for good. Creams can soften the look of scars and reduce their appearance and discoloration, but only plastic surgery can truly tame a... Full Answer
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- Q How can scarring be reduced?
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The following are five ways to shrink scars. Massage. Believe it or not, if you gently massage the healing area a couple times per day about a month after the stitches are out, it helps remodel collagen, breaking up newly forming collagen and... Full Answer
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- Q What is a ring avulsion (finger avulsion)?
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In sport, a ring avulsion is commonly known as a finger avulsion, occurring most commonly when an athlete tries to dunk a basketball and their finger gets caught in the net. If the finger is torn off, it must be found, kept moist or on ice and... Full Answer
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- Q What is keloid scarring?
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Dr. Stuart Linder, Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryKeloid scarring is scarring in which raised, reddish nodules appear at the site of a wound in the skin, often extending beyond the boundaries of the original wound. This occurs most commonly in people with darker skin tones. Full Answer
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- Q Should I use antibiotic ointment on my skin injury?
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Doctors recommend using an antibiotic ointment on your skin injury, whether it is a cut or scrape, puncture wound, or burn. Antibiotic ointments can't help your injury heal. What they can do is keep the skin break free from infection, and some infections... Full Answer
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- Q Can surgery remove scars?
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Dr. Stuart Linder, Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryAny surgical scar removal will always leave a new scar that will take up to two years to mature. Surgery can never remove a scar but can be used to alter its alignment or shape to make it less noticeable. In the case of hypertrophic or keloid... Full Answer
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- Q How do I care for an implant incision closed with Steri-Strips?
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If your incision is closed with Steri-Strips: Wash your incision gently with mild soap and water. Gently dry the area. You may shower two days after your implant, but do not directly spray or scrub your incision. Allow the Steri-Strips to fall... Full Answer
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