It is common for burned skin to scar because the skin becomes damaged, according to "Handbook of Dermatology: A Practical Manual." As new, healthy skin grows in place of the burned skin, a scar forms. The best way to prevent burned skin from scarring, according to "Braun-Falco's Dermatology," is to take steps to ensure that the skin remains as healthy and hydrated as possible. By doing some self-care at home, and following up with your doctor if you have a moderate or severe burn, you can prevent scars.
Step 1
Seek medical assistance for moderate and severe burns. According to "Braun-Falco's Dermatology," the most important step to preventing excessive scaring is proper medical care. In the case of a minor burn, administer proper first aid, including flushing the burn with water to remove any debris and covering the burn with sterile gauze to keep out potential contaminants.
Step 2
Apply antibiotic ointment to the burn with clean cotton swabs. According to "Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice," antibiotic ointment greatly reduces the risk of infection, which also reduces the risk of scarring.
Step 3
Monitor the burn for signs of infection, which include oozing pus, red streaks, additional tenderness and fever. Seek medical care immediately if you notice any of these signs of infection. Not only can an infected burn be a major medical emergency, but infected burns have a greater chance of scarring, according to "Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice."
Things You'll Need
- Sterile gauze
- Antibiotic ointment
- Cotton swabs
References
- "Handbook of Dermatology: A Practical Manual"; Margaret W. Mann, David R. Berk, Daniel L. Popkin, and Susan J. Bayliss; 2009
- "Braun-Falco's Dermatology"; Walter H.C. Burgdorf, Gerd Plewig, Helmut Heinrich Wolff, and Michael Landthaler; 2008
- "Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice"; Leslie Baumann; 2009
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