Our skin controls the amount of heat exchange between us and our environment, it manages the amount of fluid loss and protects us from infection. For this reason, a burn is not a minor occurrence because it destroys our skin. Therefore, learning to avoid burns is an important part of keep your skin healthy.

Learning to Avoid Hot Water Burns

Hot liquids and gases are what usually cause hot water burns. The injury is usually local and is rarely life threatening. Nevertheless, you can help prevent burns by:

*Turn down the water heater to 120 °.

*Test bath water before putting a child in it. If the water seems hot to you, it could burn the child.

*Put the child in the bath with their back to the faucet so they can't turn the water on.

If you have a severe burn or if the burn occurs around face, hands, genitalia or feet or if a child or person over 65 is burned:

*Call 911

*Keep the burned area under cool, running water until help arrives

*Do not remove clothing or skin from the injured area

*Keep burned limbs elevated

How to Avoid Cold Burns

Frostbite results from long term exposure to cold objects such as snow or ice. Wet clothing, high winds and poor circulation are some of the contributing factors that can lead to cold burns or frostbite. Tight clothing and conditions like cramped positions, some medications, alcohol or smoking are other contributing factors.

To help avoid frostbite, wear appropriate clothing in the winter. Winter clothes like mittens, layered clothing that is wind-proof and water resistant are good choices. Nonetheless, if you or someone you know have developed frostbite you should:

*Seek shelter in a warm place

*Bandage the affected areas with sterile gauze taking care to separate fingers and toes.

*Remove constricting or wet clothes

*Keep the victim hydrated with warm liquids

Only once the person has been taken to a permanent, safe location, can you begin the re warming process. This can be done by immersing the affected parts in warm, circulating water or by applying warm clothing to the injured areas for 20-30 minutes. Do not attempt this process if you have not reached a secure location because there is the danger of serious damage due to the potential re-freezing of thawed extremities.

The Treatment of Burn Scars

Severe burns will leave scars. Surgery and specialized creams are two ways in which burn scars can be treated.

Since scars become less pliable they do not allow for a normal range of motion. Lotions can help moisturized the scar tissue and help with the dissolution of old scars. In some cases, however, scar removal through surgical procedures is necessary.