Scar Management
After the injury, many parents do everything they can to try to reduce their child’s scarring. You might worry that there are new treatments available for scarring that you have not heard about.
“There’s a lot of research that we do to see how we can, before she hits her teens, at least help alleviate some of it. It’s that constant quest for knowledge and treatment. You’re on such a micro-level each day or every week managing the burns so for you it becomes an obsession.”
There are a number of different treatment options available for scarring, although it is important to remember that every scar is different and they change over time. Below is a list of treatments that may be used to treat your child’s scars. Your child may not need any of these treatments, they may be offered several, or all of them. Your child’s Consultant will discuss with you the best treatment for their scars.
Hover over each bullet point to find out a little bit more about each one.
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='Use a non-perfumed moisturiser to keep the area soft and supple and prevent itching. Perfumed creams can react with the newly healed sensitive scars. Apply the moisturiser gently in thin layers while the scars are more fragile, and do this 2-3 times a day. It is important to cleanse the area each day to avoid build-up of cream and skin irritation.']moisturising the area[/simple_tooltip]
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='
Using your moisturising cream, encourage your child to apply some pressure with their fingers and massage the scar in small, circular motions. If your child is too young to do this themselves, it is important that you or someone else can do it for them. Their therapist will guide you in this process. If their skin breaks, or the wound re-opens, avoid massaging that area until it heals and continue to massage all other healed areas.
']massage[/simple_tooltip]
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='New skin that has formed following the injury lacks moisture. Silicone acts to seal in moisture and hydrate the scar. Over time, silicone treatment aims to flatten, soften, pale the scar, and reduce discomfort. Silicone can be in the form of a sheet, liquid, spray or stick. If recommended by your child’s therapist, they will discuss with you the most appropriate type for their scar.']silicone gel/sheeting[/simple_tooltip]
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='
These are made to measure elasticated garments worn over scars with the aim of achieving scars that are flat, soft, pale and comfortable. They work by applying appropriate levels of pressure to the scar, which aims to restrict blood flow / reduce the scar inflammation, and inhibit the growth of hypertrophic scar tissue by using constant compression to the area.
']pressure garments[/simple_tooltip]
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='
Laser or light therapy (pulses of light) can reduce the redness in a scar by targeting the blood vessels in the excess scar tissue.
For some pitted scars, laser surgery (laser resurfacing) is used to try to make the scar flatter. This involves using a laser to remove the top layers of skin, which stimulates collagen production in the deeper layers.
']laser therapy[/simple_tooltip]
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='Steroids cannot remove scars completely, but they can improve their appearance.
Corticosteroid injections can be used to treat some keloid and hypertrophic scars. The scar is injected a number of times to reduce any swelling and flatten it. Depending on the type of scar, the injections may need to be repeated.
Steroid-impregnated tape can also be used to try to flatten keloid scars.
']steroids[/simple_tooltip]
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='Skin needling involves rolling a small device covered in hundreds of tiny needles across the skin. I can help to improve the appearance of scars. Repeat treatments are often needed to achieve an effect and results vary considerably.']skin needling[/simple_tooltip]
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='
Splints are used to position a limb correctly in order to prevent contracture (tightening of the skin), deformity and loss of function. They can be washed with soap in lukewarm water and should not have any damage or straps missing in order to be comfortable and not cause pain or swelling.
']splints[/simple_tooltip]
- [simple_tooltip bubblewidth='500' bubbleopacity='1' bubblebgcolor='#f5f5f5' bubbleposition='right' bubblecolor='#6c5671' content='Exercises help to maintain or improve function, encourage normal development, increase or maintain range of motion, increase exercise tolerance, and increase strength.']exercises[/simple_tooltip]
If you have any questions about the treatments that may be available for your child, speak to the burns service where your child was treated, or to your child’s GP.
Many parents want to know what their child’s scar will look like in the future. It can be frustrating when no one can give you a definite answer about this or show you a photograph.
“We started searching for photos online but they are all so different. The professionals don’t like to say what it will look like. Unless it’s very minor, they’ll happily say that would be fine, but if it’s anything beyond that they like to be a little bit more sort of open don’t they, because they just don’t know. But, as a parent, that’s hard.”
Burns are assessed by how seriously the skin is damaged and which layers of skin are affected. The depth of a burn is important for planning treatment and predicting healing. Deeper burns are more likely to need surgical treatments. You should ask the team treating your child if you have any questions.
Burns are assessed by how seriously the skin is damaged and which layers of skin are affected. The depth of a burn is important for planning treatment and predicting healing. Deeper burns are more likely to need surgical treatments. You should ask the team treating your child if you have any questions.
You can read more about burns and scalds here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Burns-and-scalds/
