How to Avoid Third and Fourth Degree Burns
Third and fourth degree burns are the most severe types of burns that a person can experience. Their healing time is more widespread as are the scars that come with them. The following text will define each degree and how to avoid being a victim of severe burns.
Third Degree Burns: What are they?
A third degree burn destroys every layer of the skin. The epidermis, dermis and hypodermis are destroyed, causing charring of skin or a translucent white color, with coagulated vessels visible just below the skin surface. Other symptoms are redness, swelling, peeling skin and shock.
Third degree burns destroy nerve endings and are, therefore, painless.
Fourth Degree Burns: What are they?
A fourth degree burn destroy all layers of the skin, subcutaneous fat, tendons and sometimes damages muscles, fascia and bones. This kind of burn can result from prolonged exposure to flames or high voltage electrical shock. It is the most serious type of burn and often causes death. Such a burn can result in permanent disfigurement, loss of function of the burned area and the loss of limbs. It can also lead to blood clots that result in deep vein thromboses and pulmonary embolism.
Steps to Avoid Third and Fourth Degree Burns
Most severe burns occur in the home. The following is a list of steps that you can take to make your home a safer place.
*Check electrical outlets and cords
*Monitor the use of appliances
*Check your smoke alarm habitually
*Do not smoke in bed.
*Make a fire escape plan, and inform your family about it (babysitters, too).
*Keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen and have it tested every year.
*Set your water heater at 120 °F (50 °C) or lower.
*Store cleaning agents and paints in the proper containers, in well-ventilated areas and out of the reach of children.
*Use the proper fuses in electrical boxes, do not overload circuits, and use insulated and grounded electrical cords
*Avoid fireworks
*Keep hot food or liquids out of the reach of children
*Buy flame-retardant sleepwear for children
*Wear the proper protective garments when working with caustic or flammable products
Treating Third and Fourth Degree Burn Scars
The severity of a burn dictates the recuperation time. In the case of third and fourth degree burns, recovery time usually takes years. Plastic surgery is used for scar removal in most cases to deal with the more critical scar tissue. Additionally, there are also many natural lotions used to help "dissolve" scar tissue making them more pliable and supple.
Bioskincare is a natural scar treatment can help your body promote scar exfoliation and soften scars. Burn scar treatment is a non invasive treatment used to help eliminate the scar tissue resulting from some severe burns. Come by our website to check out Bioskincare cream and other products for your skincare problems.
Published February 22nd, 2009
Filed in Health
