How long does it take for skin to recover after a burn?

Under the influence of chemicals, high temperatures, radiation and electricity, burn tissue damage occurs on the skin. To treat this condition, a number of factors must be considered. Restoration of skin after a burn can be carried out using physiotherapeutic methods.

To provide adequate first aid, you need to know about the cause of the burn:

1. Thermal burns result from exposure to flames, hot objects, steam or liquids.
2. Chemical burns are caused by acids, alkalis and heavy metal salts.
3. Radiation burns occur as a result of exposure to light (including solar) and ionizing radiation.
4. Electrical injury: A burn injury occurs where current enters and exits.
5. With the complex influence of several of the listed damaging factors, combined burns occur, and with a concomitant other lesion (fracture), combined injuries occur.

The severity of the lesion is determined by the depth and area of ​​the traumatic effect on the body tissue.

Burn degrees

There are 4 degrees of burn based on the depth of tissue damage:

1. Redness and swelling of the skin. A radiation burn occurs with a dose of gamma radiation of 8-12 Gy.
2. Formation of blisters with transparent white-yellow contents (thermal burns) or necrotic scab. Radiation dermatitis occurs with a dose of gamma irradiation of 12-30 Gy.
3. Damage to all layers of the skin and its necrosis. Radiation burn occurs at a radiation dose of 30-50 Gy.
4. Complete destruction of the skin, subcutaneous fat, muscle layer, tendons and bones with charring of tissue. Radiation burn occurs when irradiation exceeds 50 Gy.

Burn area

It is important to determine not only the depth of tissue damage, but also its area. These indicators make it possible to assess the severity of the patient’s condition and the volume of pre-hospital and specialized medical care.

Wallace's method, or "rule of nines"

According to this technique, the area of ​​certain parts of the body is 9%:

1. head – 9%;
2. hand – 9%;
3. breast – 9%;
4. belly – 9%;
5. back – 18%;
6. thigh – 9%;
7. shin – 9%;
8. genitals and perineum – 1%.

In children, the affected area is calculated using different percentages.

Child under 1 year:

1. head area – 21%;
2. hands – 9.5% each;
3. legs – 14% each;
4. body – 16% (one side).

Child under 4 years old:

1. head – 19%;
2. hands – 9.5% each;
3. legs – 15% each;
4. body – 16% (one side).

Child under 14 years old:

1. head – 15%;
2. hands – 9.5% each
3. legs – 17% each;
4. body – 16% (one side).

Child over 14 years of age: calculations are carried out according to an adult’s scheme (“Rule of Nines”).

Glumov method, or “rule of the palm”

The victim's palm is equal to 1% of the body surface. By covering the part of the skin affected by the burn, you can calculate the area of ​​damage.

Skitsy Vilyavina

This is an image of the front and back surfaces of the human body with a square grid applied to it. By shading this diagram with different colors (depending on the depth of the wound) according to the patient’s lesion, the area of ​​the burn is calculated. Such schemes are used in hospitals. When changes occur in the patient's condition, appropriate changes are made to the skits.

In addition to the above methods for determining the area of ​​a burn lesion, there are instrumental methods:

1. Using a graduated film, which is applied to the affected area of ​​the skin and the area of ​​damaged tissue is calculated.
2. Postnikov tables: dependence of the lesion area on the patient’s age.
3. Special scales are used for children.

Complications

A severe complication of the injury in question is the development burn disease. This condition is considered the body’s reaction to severe painful stimulation by a traumatic agent. Burn disease occurs:

1. With stage 1 damage, more than 30% of the body area of ​​an adult and 15-20% in children.
2. With stage 2 damage, more than 20% of the body area in an adult and 10% in children.
3. With grade 3-4 damage, more than 10% of the body area in an adult and 5% in children.

In patients with a weakened body, this severe complication can occur with grade 3-4 damage to 3% of the body area.

The main pathogenetic mechanism for triggering the shock reaction is a large loss of blood plasma through damaged skin, the destructive effects of toxic substances and tissue breakdown products, including myoglobin. It clogs the kidney tubules, causing kidney failure and death.

First aid

It is important to know and be able to provide first aid to a burn victim.

First, it is necessary to eliminate the cause, i.e., stop the impact of the traumatic factor.

Clothing is cut off from the victim, and any that stick to the burn area are left to prevent additional damage to the skin. Additional trauma to the skin provokes loss of blood plasma and also increases the possibility of infection.

But nevertheless, it is necessary to remove metal jewelry, because they continue to have a thermal effect on the fabric.

In case of thermal burns, it is very important to cool the skin as quickly as possible: cover it with ice or snow, place it under running cold water for 15 minutes. For minor burns and rapid application of cold, blisters can be avoided. If there are open blisters or wound surfaces, you must first place a clean cloth or wrap it in film on the affected area, and then place it under running water.

Exceptions:

1. burns with hydrochloric acid, because when interacting with water, a large amount of heat is released;
2. quicklime burns.

Both types of burn lesions are treated with a weak soap solution. In case of a burn caused by the action of phosphate, it is necessary to immerse the affected area in water, since phosphorus flares up in air.

The victim should be given a lot to drink to replenish lost fluid.

In the absence of allergic reactions, the injured person must be given a painkiller: for an adult - 2-3 tablets of analgin, for a child - 1 tablet of analgin or Nurofen.

Treatment of extensive burns should only be carried out in specialized burn centers. Regular hospitals cannot provide the necessary treatment to such severely ill patients.

It is forbidden!

1. Pop bubbles. The contents of the bubbles are blood plasma, which after some time will return to the vascular bed.
2. Apply brilliant green and iodine to the affected skin, as well as sprinkle with flour, etc. This makes inspection and diagnosis difficult.
3. Treat affected skin with alcohol.
4. Lubricate with fatty media: oils, creams. This will increase skin damage by disrupting heat exchange, and will also create an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.
5. Bandage the burn area tightly. It is enough to gently wrap it with a clean cloth.
6. Pour liquids into the mouth of an unconscious victim or give tablets.

Treatment

Treatment of burns is a difficult and complex process that requires specialized assistance from combustiologists, resuscitators, surgeons and other specialists as indicated.

After 1st degree burn the damage goes away on its own within a few days.

After 2nd degree burn drug therapy is required; restoration of the skin occurs within 2 weeks. A new epithelium forms under the plasma bubble. The plasma returns back into the bloodstream. The walls of the bladder will be torn away, revealing new skin underneath. After 2-3 weeks, it will return to its normal color and will not differ from the surrounding uninjured tissue.

During the phase of the formation of blisters, an infection can enter the damaged area with the development of a purulent process, which causes the formation of scars.

After burns of III and IV degrees urgent hospitalization and long-term treatment are required.

From day 10, the rejection of necrotic tissue begins. Then healing occurs by epithelization from the edges of the wound and granulation in the area of ​​its bottom. In case of stage III damage, 3 months after healing of the skin, pigmentation gradually disappears and skin color evens out. After a fourth degree burn, restoration of the skin is possible only through scarring. When the tissue defect is large, a long-term non-healing ulcer is formed, requiring surgical treatment.

Extensive burn wounds are treated with surgical techniques in several stages: first, the burn scab is removed, and then the tissue defect is repaired. There are several surgical methods to restore the skin.

1. Skin grafting is used quite widely, but in case of deep defects or destruction of a significant area of ​​the dermal layer, it is not always possible to use them.
2. In these cases, the developments of scientists specializing in cell biology are used. Then transplantation of human epidermal keratinocytes is performed.
3. An alternative to this method is to grow skin cells on collagen carriers to form a dermal equivalent.
4. Collagen matrix in the form of a sponge for transplantation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
5. The fibrin matrix is ​​in good contact with the bottom of the wound.
6. Transplantation of cultured fibroblasts.

Scarring

Scars left after a burn injury are treated in several ways: special regenerating creams, ointments, sprays, peeling of fruit acids, laser resurfacing, ultrasound therapy (or phonophoresis of enzymes).

Large post-burn scars are treated surgically: excision of excess keloid tissue and application of a thin cosmetic suture, as well as plastic surgery with a skin flap.

Rehabilitation

Restoration activities should begin as early as possible.

Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment after burns are aimed at improving blood supply, accelerating tissue regeneration, preventing (or treating) purulent complications, pain relief, and removing necrotic tissue. In addition, physical therapy helps fight scar tissue changes, promotes the healing of the skin flap, and is used in other cases.

1. Ultraviolet irradiation in an erythema dose helps accelerate tissue repair and regeneration, stimulates the immune system, and relieves inflammation.
2. Electrotherapy: SMT and diadynamic therapy, electrophoresis, transcranial electroanalgesia (therapeutic sleep) promote pain relief, improve blood circulation, have bactericidal properties, and stimulate the rejection of necrotic tissue (depending on the substance administered). General franklinization has an anti-stress effect.
3. Ultrasound therapy and phonophoresis accelerate the resorption of scar tissue, improve blood circulation and relieve pain (depending on the drugs administered).
4. UHF therapy relieves inflammation and stimulates blood circulation.
5. Laser therapy in red mode has anti-inflammatory activity and stimulates tissue regeneration. UV laser irradiation of blood gives positive results in the form of stabilization of the condition in patients with a questionable and favorable prognosis.
6. Darsonvalization is carried out to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration, as well as to prevent purulent inflammation.
7. Magnetic therapy is done to stabilize the psycho-emotional state of the victim (transcranial technique), as well as to improve blood supply and recovery processes in the area of ​​damage, biostimulation.
8. Photochromotherapy in the red spectrum has a reparative effect on the dermis, while in the green spectrum it calms and balances.
9. Aeroionotherapy improves skin permeability. Ions penetrate through damaged and undamaged surfaces of the skin and reduce pain sensitivity. With aeroiontophoresis of analgesics, this therapeutic effect is enhanced.

Treatment of burns should be carried out comprehensively, with the involvement, if necessary, of related specialists, including psychologists. Often, a burn injury is a strong psycho-emotional factor, and the consequences of injury can cause depression and suicidal thoughts.

Modern methods of treatment and rehabilitation are able to minimize the residual effects of a burn injury, allowing the victim to return to his usual active life.

After receiving a thermal injury, many people wonder how quickly and how the burn heals. The time it takes to completely restore the skin varies individually. It depends on factors such as age, degree and area of ​​damage, the nature of the traumatic agent, and the health status of the victim. Thermal injuries are the most difficult to treat and lead to irreversible complications in children, elderly and debilitated patients. A child can die even with a small area of ​​damage.

The burn heals in several stages. Their sequence is determined by the degree of thermal injury, the presence of purulent complications in the wound, and the nature of the traumatic agent.

Burn degrees

In total, there are 4 degrees of burns, which differ in the depth of damage:

1. The first is characterized by the appearance of swelling, redness, and an increase in local temperature in the burned area.
2. In the second, blisters of different sizes appear on the skin, which tend to merge and enlarge. The contents of the bullae are serous. The bottom of the wound is represented by the superficial layer of skin.
3. The third degree is divided into 3A and 3B. At 3A, the bullae contain a jelly-like mass, the bottom of the wound is viable. With this damage, the skin can recover on its own. At grade 3B, the blisters contain hemorrhagic fluid, and a dark-colored scab may form on the surface of the wound. At this depth of burn, the germinal layer of the epidermis is damaged and the wound will not be able to heal on its own.
4. The fourth degree is accompanied by damage not only to the skin, but also to deep-lying muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. A dense black scab forms at the site of the burn wound. Recovery takes a long period of time with the formation of rough scars.

Types of burns

The speed and sequence of recovery stages depends on the type of traumatic impact.

Depending on this, burns are divided into the following types:

Solar and thermal burns from exposure to boiling water are usually superficial; heal quite quickly. Chemical injuries often occur as a result of contact with poisons from animals (jellyfish), plants (hogweed, nettle), and household products. With short-term exposure they are superficial, recovery occurs quickly.

Healing of thermal burns from hot objects (heated iron, radiator, heater) will depend on the duration of contact and the area of ​​damage. Short-term exposure does not cause serious consequences, and the burn goes away fairly quickly. Prolonged contact may result in fourth degree thermal injury.

The most dangerous injuries are from exposure to open flames. Most often these are 3B and 4 degree burns.

Without the help of qualified specialists, recovery will not occur on your own. Healing occurs after surgical treatment.

Effect of burn area

The area of ​​the lesion plays a significant role in wound healing. The larger the wound surface, the higher the risk of developing burn disease. With it, in addition to local manifestations on the skin, there is a lack of organ function and disruption of the heart. Recovery is longer, more difficult, and in some cases the injury is fatal.

The affected area is measured in several ways. One method is to use the palm of the victim himself. In adults, one palm corresponds to 1% of the body area. Special tables are used for children, which are also suitable for adults depending on age.

How does healing occur?

First degree burns heal fairly quickly. It may take 1 to 3 days. Redness and swelling subside. At the site of the burn wound, peeling and pigmentation appear, which after some time disappears without a trace..

2nd degree burns can heal from 2 to 3 weeks, for small areas and without complications - up to 1 week. Under the bubble, if there is no opening, young pink skin can form on its own. If the blister bursts, an infection may occur, then it will take more time.

With 3A degree burns at the initial stage, a dark-colored scab or blister with hemorrhagic contents often forms on the skin. After some time (2-4 weeks), the scab peels off and the bubble bursts, exposing the underlying layers of the epidermis. Islands of young skin appear in these areas, which gradually cover the entire wound. Full recovery may take three weeks to two months.

3B and 4th degree burns do not heal on their own. In the initial stages, a dense black scab appears in the wound area. After its rejection, pink granulations begin to appear on the underlying tissues, if suppuration has not occurred. This healing stage will require a very long period, which can reach several months..

After the appearance of juicy granulations, a person’s own skin can be transplanted. At the next stage, either its engraftment or rejection is possible. In the latter case, repeat surgery will be required. After recovery, rough scars form on the skin, disfiguring scars.

Severe thermal injuries in the joint area are very difficult and take a long time to heal. After all stages of recovery, contractures develop in them, limiting the mobility of the limbs.

When an infection occurs, healing at any stage slows down. Therefore, treatment is carried out in specialized medical institutions with the use of antibacterial drugs.

Thermal skin lesions are the most common type of household injury. Burns are caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, boiling water, electric current, and aggressive chemicals. The affected skin must be restored. Measures depend on the severity of the burn.

Skin restoration after sunburn

To learn how to restore skin after a sunburn, you first need to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the lesion.

With a sunburn, the first symptoms appear after half an hour, and their intensity increases throughout the day.

There are 4 degrees of sunburn, each of which is expressed in a special clinical picture:

1. skin redness;
2. formation of blisters on reddened skin, symptoms of intoxication;
3. sensitivity, swelling, soreness of the affected skin. The burn covers all layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat).

The fourth degree of sunburn causes complete dehydration of the body, disruption of the heart and kidneys and can cause death. Not only the superficial, but also the deep layers suffer: muscles, tendons.

Doctors tell us how to restore skin after a burn. In the first degree of damage, you need to use topical drugs that promote tissue regeneration and prevent the degeneration of healthy cells into malignant ones.

Helps against sunburn:

1. Dexpanthenol. The product relieves inflammation, eliminates itching, and has a healing effect. Apply ointment 2-4 times a day;
2. Karotolin. This solution reduces redness, heat and inflammation and has a cooling effect. Karotolin is applied to a gauze pad and applied to the burned areas. Repeat the manipulation 2-3 times a day;
3. zinc ointment. The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect and protects the affected areas from infections. Apply the ointment in a thin layer, 3-5 times a day;
4. Rescuer. The balm contains beeswax, tea tree extract, lavender essential oil. These components accelerate skin restoration and have an antiseptic effect. It is recommended to lubricate burns with balm 3-5 times a day.

Restoring the skin after a 2nd degree burn with blistering requires the use of antiseptics, which reduce the risk of infection. Miramistin is a universal antiseptic. They need to treat the burned areas before applying restoratives.

Restoration of the skin in cases of third and fourth degree lesions is carried out on an outpatient basis. In the most severe cases, skin transplantation from other parts of the body or donor transplantation and removal of areas of mass necrosis are required.

Therapeutic measures for chemical damage

Chemical burns of the skin occur when they react with aggressive chemicals such as:

Some household chemicals can also cause thermal injury.

Even a weak concentration of the chemical causes severe burns. If a reaction occurs, you need to rinse the affected areas under running water for 20 to 30 minutes. After this, neutralize the chemical with a weak solution of soda (for acid burns) or vinegar (for alkali burns).

How to restore skin after a chemical burn? For lesions of the first and second severity, conservative treatment is prescribed. Healing ointments with a light texture that have an antibacterial effect are applied to burn sites. This is Levomekol, Sintomycin. They are applied under a sterile dressing, which must be changed regularly.

The skin around the wounds is treated with antiseptics - Miramistin, Chlorhexidine solution, hydrogen peroxide (3%).

In the later stages of healing, physiotherapeutic methods are introduced into the recovery course to stimulate tissue regeneration, improve blood flow, and restore the body's defenses. The results are obtained by infrared and ultraviolet irradiation, ultrasound therapy.

What to do if scalded by boiling water?

How to restore skin after a burn with boiling water? This type of injury is often caused by adults and children due to negligence. To protect the skin, you need to immediately place the burned area under the tap and turn on cool water. Wait about 20 minutes. This will help relieve swelling, slow blood circulation and reduce the risk of blisters.

The water should be cool, not icy: sudden temperature changes will lead to the death of the top layer of skin.

After this, you need to treat the burn with a soap solution for disinfection, wipe it, and treat it with an antiseptic.

If there are no blisters on the burned area, you can lubricate it with Sulfargin. This ointment prevents the death of deep epithelial layers and the formation of blisters, has a disinfecting effect and soothes pain.

How to quickly restore skin with blisters? It is necessary to use the following topical drugs:

1. ArgoVasna Walnut. This is a gel with natural ingredients that reduces blisters, removes redness, dries out small ulcers, and also reduces the risk of scarring. ArgoVasna starts the process of skin cell regeneration;
2. Vishnevsky ointment. This inexpensive drug prevents tissue death, has a mild analgesic and disinfectant effect, and promotes wound healing. It is best to use it as a compress, under a bandage, once a day;
3. Streptinitol. The ointment is used for burns with wounds and purulent lesions. Streptonitol has a restorative and antibacterial effect.

Before using topical medications, you should carefully study the instructions to eliminate the risk of developing allergic reactions.

Recovery after a severe burn

Skin restoration after a 3rd degree burn is difficult and time-consuming, as the affected areas of the skin die. The process of their restoration begins only after the dead layers are rejected.

The duration of regeneration is 3 months or more.

In addition to restorative, antibacterial and antiseptic agents, topical preparations are used to eliminate scars. This:

1. Contractubex. The ointment restores the dermis, fights the effects of burns, eliminates scars;
2. Clearvin. The drug removes scars and spots, accelerates the process of restoration of the affected layers;
3. Mederma. The product helps eliminate even large and old scars on the skin.

Also, to eliminate scar tissue and restore integument after third-degree burns, the following procedures are performed:

1. laser resurfacing. This procedure is a deep peeling, complete removal of the upper layer of the epidermis and partial removal of the dermis. It is performed with a laser device. It emits light which causes soft tissue to evaporate. The depth of exposure is 150 micrometers. As a result, the skin texture is evened out, scars are eliminated;
2. photochromotherapy. This is a physiotherapy procedure that is based on the healing effects of light. The red spectrum is used to restore the skin layers. The rays cause vasodilation, healing of damaged skin, stimulation of the development of elastic fibers;
3. laser therapy. The procedure promotes tissue restoration, helping even with deep lesions of the epidermis.

To speed up the process of formation of new cells, it is recommended to take vitamin complexes. These are Duovit, Complivit, Biomax.

How long does it take for skin to recover after thermal burns?

How long the skin recovers after a burn depends on the degree of damage:

1. with the first degree, recovery occurs in 3-5 days;
2. with the second, if there is no infection, repair processes take 3 weeks. If the attachment of bacterial microorganisms occurs, the process is delayed up to 30 days;
3. third degree burn damage takes a long period of rehabilitation - from 3 months or more.

Skin restoration after a fourth-degree burn can take about a year or more: the prognosis in this case is unpredictable.

Skin burns can cause the degeneration of healthy cells into malignant ones, so precautions must be taken to prevent thermal damage. If damage occurs, you need to consult a doctor and undergo full treatment.