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 do I need to know about scar treatment?
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If you have had an accident, surgery, a burn, or acne, any of these can create scarring on your face. The scarring occurs wherever multiple layers of the skin have been affected. Once a scar forms, it is permanent but you don't need to feel that you have... Full Answer
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- Q How do I care for my incision after abdominal surgery?
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If you’ve had an abdominal surgery, your incision will take longer to heal than the smaller incisions from a laparoscopic surgery. But basic care for the incisions is the same. Here’s what to do: You may take a shower after the first 48... Full Answer
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- Q How should I treat cuts on my hands during winter?
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Dr. Arthur Perry, Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryIf you get little cuts on your hands during the winter, cover them with band-aids to increase the local humidity of the skin. That will speed up healing. Special night gloves that act like mini saunas for your hands will dramatically improve your skin.... Full Answer
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- Q What is hypotrophic scarring?
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Dr. Stuart Linder, Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryHypotrophic scarring is scarring which are sunken and often hyperpigmented appearance due to a loss of collagen and ground substance, can also be problematic. Acne and chicken pox are two common conditions that frequently result in hypotrophic... Full Answer
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- Q What products can improve the appearance of scars?
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Dr. Stuart Linder, Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryNo scar can ever be completely removed. They will always leave a trace, but their appearance can be improved by a number of means, including: Creams containing Vitamin E, as well as dietary sources such as wheat germ, nuts, vegetable oils, eggs... Full Answer
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- Q What treatments can reduce the appearance of scars?
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Dr. Stuart Linder, Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryThere are several medical procedures available to help reduce the appearance of scars: Laser Surgery & Resurfacing - The redness of scars may be reduced by treatment with a vascular laser. It has been theorised that removing layers of skin... Full Answer
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- Q How should I treat a cut or scrape?
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Dr. Jill Grimes, Family MedicineWhen someone scrapes or cuts an arm, leg, or other unfortunate body part, grab a bottle of nonstinging wound cleanser foam, a triple antibiotic cream or ointment cream, and a bandage. If you can easily flush the area with water, that should be... Full Answer
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- Q How do I clean a skin injury?
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A minor scrape or cut can be cleaned at home by using water. Because soap can irritate a wound, use water on the wound itself, but use soap or another cleaning agent on the skin around the wound. Next, make sure the wound is free of any dirt or debris.... Full Answer
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- Q How do I bandage my skin injury?
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When you leave your skin injury open to the air, you promote healing, but you also leave your wound open to infection. To properly care for your skin injury, you must cover it using a bandage. These steps show you how. Use the correct bandage. Make sure... Full Answer
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- Q When is surgery necessary to treat skin injuries?
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Most skin injuries can be treated at home, but a few severe cases require surgery. Frostbite If frostbite is severe, surgery can be necessary to remove dead skin. In some cases, very severe surgery can require the amputation of a limb. Burns Very severe... Full Answer
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