Burn Scar Healing Process

Burn scars are distinguished from other scars by the horrific and painful nature of their cause. Burn scars are also distinguished by how they heal, given that there are three distinct types. This article discusses those types and their various healing processes.

Types

• There are three major types of burn scars: keloids, contractures and hypertrophic scars. All three are similar in that they may limit mobility at or near the burn site, but each differs in key ways from the others.

Effects

• All burns that cause scars are third-degree burns, meaning that the burn has gone through the epidermis and has affected the skin layers below, up to and including muscle or bone. Such burns cause redness, swelling, white or charred skin and severe pain. Blistering at the outskirts of such burns is also common.

Identification

• The type of scars that form depend on the burn and the person affected by the burn. Keloids, for example, are bulbous scar tissue that continues to form outside of the burned area when the body continues to produce collagen. Like their name suggests, contractures have a "webbed" appearance that will cause the skin to contract, disallowing mobility in the affected area. Hypertrophic scars are like keloids, but differ in that they do not extend outside of the burned area. Unlike keloids, hypertrophic scars will fade with time.

Treatment

• Burns scars by themselves can be almost as troublesome (albeit less painful) than the burns that caused them. All three types generally limit mobility in their given area, but there are various treatments for each. Keloids are often treated by cryotherapy (freezing), various injections or surgical removal. Hypertrophic scars are often treated similarly, but usually only require steroid injections to quicken their fading. Contractures are more difficult and require physical therapy or surgery--such as skin grafts or tissue extensions.

Warning

• Burn scars are temperamental and prone to infection. Never try to diagnose or treat yourself; seek immediate medical attention for the treatment of burns and their resulting scars.